Microbiome in Health & Disease MSc

Program Overview

Key Information

• Delivery mode: In person
• Study mode: Full time
• Duration: One year
• Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180/ECTS 90
• Application status: Open
• Start date: September 2025

Course Essentials

This course was the first of its kind to offer a specialism in microbiome in health and disease. Conceived by the Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, it blends expertise in microbiology, bioinformatics, and systems biology with a focus on translation in clinical, agricultural, and environmental challenges. It’s designed to develop your knowledge of the microbial communities that reside within or upon us and how they impact our health and disease processes.

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Bachelor's degree with 2:1 honours in computer sciences, mathematics, biological sciences, biotechnology, engineering, or chemistry, or similar.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country from the provided list
• English language requirements: English language band: D

Teaching & Structure

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study
• Tutorials

Assessment

• Course Work
• Examinations

Structure

Required Modules

• Microbiology & Microbial Diversity (30 credits)
• Microbiome Analysis (45 credits)
• Systems & Synthetic Biology (30 credits)
• The Human Microbiome & Dysbiosis (15 credits)
• Research Project (60 credits)

Optional Modules

There are no optional modules.

Careers

Graduates of this Microbiome in Health & Disease MSc will have a strong knowledge of one of the most exciting and cutting-edge fields of human health and disease. This MSc provides a solid grounding for anyone looking to pursue a PhD studentship in microbiome research. It will also give you sufficient experience in analysing and interpreting the large, multiple omics data sets that are involved in microbiome research.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK: Full time: £16,950 (2025/26)
• International: Full time: £35,800 (2025/26)

Deposit

• Home deposit: £500
• International deposit: £2000

Additional Costs

• Clothing for optional course-related events and competitions
• Travel, accommodation, and subsistence for face-to-face training blocks UK or other country
• Internet access
• Computer equipment
• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course materials
• Society membership fees
• Conference attendance (optional)
• Stationery
• Binding for logbooks/dissertations – binding is not necessary but is optional
• Examination fees (if not taken at venue in London)
• Graduation costs

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's, please visit the Fees and Funding section.