Program Overview

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BSc Microbiology with Entrepreneurship

Overview

Our BSc Microbiology with Entrepreneurship course will enable you to combine science with business skills - a key driver of employability.

This course involves the study of microorganisms with particular emphasis on the biology of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoan parasites.

Microbiologists are needed to do the research required to battle against infectious diseases worldwide, understanding the environmental importance of microbes and to exploit them for food production, biotechnological and industrial applications.

The main focus of our course is the pathogenic potential of the organisms that cause disease in man. You will also cover aspects of the biochemistry, physiology and genetics of microorganisms.

You will spend your first year learning fundamental concepts before specialising in microbiology topics in your later years.

The entrepreneurship units will be offered via the Masood Enterprise Centre (MEC) of the Alliance Manchester Business School at the University, exposing you to key learning in business innovation. The course also includes a year in industry on a research or business placement.

Key Features

• Study abroad
• Study with a language
• Accredited course

Duration and Year of Entry

• Duration: 4 Years Full Time
• Year of entry: 2026

UCAS Course Code and Institution Code

• UCAS course code: C507
• Institution code: M20

Typical A-level Offer

• AAA-AAB, including two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics (the Core Sciences). You must have a minimum of grades AB in at least two Core Sciences.

Typical Contextual A-level Offer

• AAB-ABC, including specific subjects.

UK Refugee/Care-Experienced Offer

• ABB-ABC, including specific subjects.

Typical International Baccalaureate Offer

• 36-35 points overall with 6, 6, 6 to 6, 6, 5 at HL, including specific requirements.

Fees

• Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

Scholarships/Sponsorships

• Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the UK's Turing scheme depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low-income households.

English Language Requirements

• All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
  • GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade 4/C, or;
  • IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any one component, or;
  • An acceptable equivalent qualification.

Course Description

Our BSc Microbiology with Entrepreneurship course will enable you to combine science with business skills - a key driver of employability.

This course involves the study of microorganisms with particular emphasis on the biology of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoan parasites.

Microbiologists are needed to do the research required to battle against infectious diseases worldwide, understanding the environmental importance of microbes and to exploit them for food production, biotechnological and industrial applications.

The main focus of our course is the pathogenic potential of the organisms that cause disease in man. You will also cover aspects of the biochemistry, physiology and genetics of microorganisms.

You will spend your first year learning fundamental concepts before specialising in microbiology topics in your later years.

The entrepreneurship units will be offered via the Masood Enterprise Centre (MEC) of the Alliance Manchester Business School at the University, exposing you to key learning in business innovation. The course also includes a year in industry on a research or business placement.

Special Features

• Learn alongside other entrepreneurship students
• Study abroad
• Foundation Year available
• Flexibility to transfer between courses

Teaching and Learning

The course consists of two-thirds of biological sciences learning and one-third entrepreneurship learning. You will learn your entrepreneurship alongside other students taking a variety of degrees at the University.

You will benefit from a wide range of teaching and learning methods that suit the content and aims of each course unit.

These range from lectures and tutorials to practicals and research projects, including the final year project.

Coursework and Assessment

Assessment methods vary widely to suit the nature of the course unit and each level of study.

• Lecture units are usually assessed by written exam (multiple choice or essay-based), which are held at the end of an academic semester in either January or May/June.
• Practical units are usually assessed by experimental report and/or short written assignment and/or written exam.
• The proportion of independent study assignments increases during each year of study.

Course Unit Details

This course is modular. You will study compulsory course units and choose some optional units.

Most science units are assigned 10 credits and you will take 120 credits each year.

You will need to acquire 20 entrepreneurship credits per year, and there is some choice in which units you choose after Year 1.

Course Content for Year 1

You will gain a broad introduction to biological sciences, covering key concepts such as:

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Biodiversity
• Molecular biology

In addition, you will study fundamental concepts of entrepreneurial skills and business management. The Alliance Manchester Business School will deliver core knowledge of enterprise, markets and finance, and you will build entrepreneurial skills by writing your first business proposal.

Year 1 also provides an introduction to the essential data handling and laboratory skills required for all biological scientists.

Course Content for Year 2

You will continue your studies in greater depth and begin to specialise. You will also undertake a Science Communication unit.

In the Research Skills unit, you have the opportunity to carry out techniques that are widely used in current biological science research.

You will gain more choice in entrepreneurship units, for example, Enterprise Strategy and Marketing or Interdisciplinary Sustainable Development.

Course Content for Year 3

Subject to satisfactory academic performance and placement availability, you will spend this year on your entrepreneurship placement. This may be in the UK or abroad.

Course Content for Year 4

Final year topics reflect the current hotspots of bioscience endeavour and the research interests of our staff, and are constantly being updated.

You will undertake an independent in-depth research project that may involve supervised practical work in a laboratory, or you may choose to work on e-learning, educational, data analysis, bioinformatics or enterprise topics.

You will continue your entrepreneurial training and can specialise in healthcare or more broadly in feasibility and strategy.

Facilities

• Learning facilities
• Research facilities

Disability Support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.

Careers

Graduates with skills in business and innovation are extremely desirable to employers who require significant relevant work experience.

In the growing field of bioscience research collaborations, graduates with entrepreneurship skills are at a distinct advantage.

Our graduates go into a wide range of sectors. Many secure jobs as researchers and business leaders in academia and industry, while others go into lab-based careers that do not involve research.

Others choose careers in the healthcare sector such as pharmaceuticals and medicine, most of which require further study, while some take up positions in other sectors entirely, eg education.

Accrediting Organisations

This course has Advanced Accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology.

Advanced Accreditation recognises academic excellence in the biosciences, highlighting degrees that contain a significant research element and educate the future leaders of research and development.

The criteria require evidence that graduates meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including gaining substantial research experience.

In recognition of this, a graduate of an advanced accredited course can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Biology at Member (MRSB) level after just two years of practice, rather than the usual three.

These graduates can attain the qualifications of Chartered Biologist or Chartered Scientist one year sooner than graduates from other courses.