Program Overview

---

Microbiology with Professional Placement MSci

The Microbiology with Professional Placement MSci offers a game-changing experience by combining academic excellence with a transformative year of industry training. Gain invaluable skills and real-world expertise to launch your career ahead of the competition.

Study Biosciences at the University of Birmingham

Watch the video to learn more about studying Biosciences at the University of Birmingham.

Course Overview

Join our four-year programme consisting of core (compulsory) and optional modules. Each module will be assessed in different ways depending on the topic you're studying.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Year 1

Kickstart your journey in Microbiology with an exciting array of modules that provide a broad foundation in modern biology and allow further exploration of microbiology in all three years of study.

Why Study Microbiology at Birmingham?

The Microbiology MSci combines training in essential skills required for modern scientists and allows you to immerse yourself in a vibrant research community: The Institute for Microbiology and Infection (IMI).

• Microbiology Research: Join IMI to tackle global threats like TB, Zika, COVID-19, and antimicrobial resistance.
• Professional Placement: Gain real-world experience and boost employability with our industry placement year.
• Join BioSoc: Meet fellow students through sports, events, and career-focused activities.

Course Delivery

At Birmingham, our course integrates groundbreaking research with dynamic teaching, offering a range of tailored options to align with your career goals and passions. Engage with world-leading biochemists, utilise our award-winning virtual lab equipment, and benefit from our cutting-edge research to inform your studies.

• Innovative Lectures: Enjoy interactive, recorded lectures with polls, flipped classrooms, and group problem-solving.
• Hands-On Practical Classes: Join 3-hour labs with researcher guidance, building key skills at your own pace.
• Research-Driven Teaching: Learn from cutting-edge research projects and top microbiologists, applying research in practical settings.
• Advanced Facilities: Train in award-winning labs and modern facilities, using high-tech tools for final projects.

Support During Your Studies

At the University of Birmingham, we’re committed to your success with comprehensive support tailored to your needs. Here’s how we ensure you thrive:

• Personal Tutors: Receive tailored academic support and guidance from a dedicated tutor who will track your progress and help you excel.
• Wellbeing Officers: Access professional support for a range of personal and academic issues, including extensions, adjustments, and overall wellbeing.
• Student Experience Team: Maximize your university experience with research opportunities, career preparation, and social events to connect with fellow students.

Assessment Methods and Feedback

Our assessment methods ensure a deep understanding and practical application of Microbiology. You will experience a balanced mix of continuous assessments and end-of-year exams, with continuous assessments playing a significant role in shaping your final grade. Some modules are assessed entirely through coursework. Detailed feedback provided within three weeks helps you refine your skills and achieve steady improvement, ensuring you truly master Microbiology in practice.

Module Information

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Year 1

The following must be taken:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
Cell Biology & Physiology	20	Semester 1
Discovering Biosciences Skills and Enterprise	20	Full Term
Ecological Concepts and Plant Sciences	20	Semester 2
Genetics I	20	Semester 2
Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology	20	Semester 1
Molecular Biosciences and Microbiology	20	Full Term

Teaching Staff

Admissions Tutor

• Dr Michael Tomlinson

Admission tutor for Biosciences

Dr Mike Tomlinson's research focuses on tetraspanin membrane proteins as potential therapeutic targets for major human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases.

Entry Requirements

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

• A Level: AAA including Biology / Human Biology + 1 from Chemistry / Physics / Maths / Further Maths / Statistics / Geology / Geography / Psychology
• IB: 6,6,6 including Biology / Human Biology + 1 from Chemistry / Physics / Maths: Analysis and Approaches / Maths: Applications and Interpretation/ Statistics / Geology / Geography / Psychology
• BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate are accepted, but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
• IELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
• Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Fees and Scholarships

The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination, and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.

• £9,535 per year for domestic (UK) students for 2026/27

Undergraduate Loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, Grants, and Bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries, and other awards.

Application Process

Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS.

• 14 January 2026: Application deadline for September 2026 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates are highly regarded among employers in the UK, as evidenced by the fact that we’re the UK university most targeted by top graduate employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2025’ report). Our courses are committed to your future career, and university is just the start.

• The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
• Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV, and improving your interview technique.
• Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers support to help you identify your options, develop your skills, and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Related Courses

• Microbiology BSc
• Microbiology with Study in Continental Europe BSc
• Microbiology MSci

Student Experience

Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills, and make friends for life.

• Accommodation: Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming, and sociable surroundings.
• Living in Birmingham: Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife, and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
• Student Support: Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
• Campus Life: Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.