BSc (Hons) Microbiology & Pharmacology at University of Strathclyde

Programme overview

Joint Honours degree combining microbiology and pharmacology to study how microorganisms cause disease and how medicines act against them, including drug resistance and the development of new treatments. It is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and includes laboratory work from Year 1 and an Honours research project in Year 4. Students choose from 11 named degree routes at the end of Year 2.

What you will study

Years 1 and 2 are shared and cover biochemistry, immunology, microbiology and pharmacology alongside practical laboratory modules; from Year 3 the degree specialises in microbiology and pharmacology (Fundamental and Biomedical Microbiology and Pharmacology), with Advanced Microbiology and Advanced Pharmacology and a year-long research project in Year 4.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for careers in research, biotechnology, public health and the pharmaceutical industry, including roles with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, contract research organisations, universities, research institutes and public health laboratories, and in regulatory affairs, medical writing, scientific sales and science policy. Many continue to Master's or PhD study, and some move into science teaching.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Highers (Year 1 entry): standard AABB/AAAC (Biology/Human Biology B and Chemistry B; National 5 Maths and English at B); minimum ABBB/AABCC (same subjects). Advanced Highers (Year 2 entry): BB (Chemistry B, Biology/Human Biology B, plus the Year 1 Highers). A-levels: Year 1 entry BBB (two sciences, at least one Biology or Chemistry; GCSE Chemistry and Biology 6/B if not taken at A-level; GCSE Maths 6/B and GCSE English Language or Literature 6/B); Year 2 entry BBB (Chemistry and Biology, GCSE Maths 6/B and GCSE English Language or Literature 6/B). IB: Year 1 entry 30 (Biology HL5, Chemistry HL5, Maths SL5, English SL5); Year 2 entry 30 (Chemistry and Biology, one at HL6 and the other at HL5, Maths SL5, English SL5). HNC/HND: Year 1 entry HNC with Graded Unit B; Year 2 entry HNC with Graded Unit A or HND with BB; Year 3 entry HND with AB. Deferred entry accepted. Lower contextual offers may be made to eligible widening-access applicants. English language for international applicants (Faculty of Science standard): IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Rest of UK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland) rate for full-time undergraduate programmes; Scotland-domiciled fee to be confirmed by the Scottish Funding Council Source

International applicants: GBP 29,350 a year (2026/27) Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 4 years full-time

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