MSci Microbiology at University of Strathclyde

Programme overview

A five-year integrated master's degree studying bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms and how they grow, interact with their environment and contribute to disease, with a research-led fifth year. Students also learn how microbes are used in healthcare, biotechnology, food production and environmental science. The degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Department: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences | Duration: 5 years full-time | Intake: September 2027 | Study mode: full-time (integrated masters) | Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 covers cells and their molecules, organisms and disease and bio-organic chemistry with a practical module and 20 credits of electives. Year 2 introduces biochemistry, immunology, microbiology and pharmacology before students confirm their route; Years 3 and 4 study microbiology in depth alongside one additional discipline, followed by a research-led fifth year.

Career pathways

Graduates pursue careers in research, biotechnology, public health and the pharmaceutical industry, including infectious disease research, epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, industrial and environmental microbiology and quality control.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Highers (standard): Year 1 entry AAAB or AABBC (Chemistry B, Biology/Human Biology B, Maths and English National 5 B); minimum entry AABB or AABCC. Advanced Highers: Year 2 entry AB (Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology, one at A and the other at B, plus Year 1 requirements). A Levels: Year 1 entry BBB (Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology, GCSE Maths 6/B, GCSE English Language or Literature 6/B); Year 2 entry ABB (same subjects). IB: Year 1 entry 32 (Chemistry HL5, Biology HL5, Maths SL5, English SL5); Year 2 entry 32 (Chemistry and Biology, one at HL6 and the other at HL5, Maths SL5, English SL5). HNC/HND: Year 1 HNC with A in Graded Unit or HND with BB; Year 2 HND with AB; Year 3 HND with AA. Deferred entry accepted. Faculty of Science: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 (other accepted tests listed by the university).

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). Overseas fee, tuition only, full-time per academic year. Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 5 years full-time

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