Why choose the School of Life Sciences
This course has a part-time route to help you fit your studies around existing commitments.
Our Life Sciences Liaison Board features representatives from organisations such as Glaxo Smith Kline, the NHS and the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
We lead the way in research areas such as COVID-19 testing technology; Staphylococcus aureus Spa typing; antibiotic resistance analysis; human microbiome studies; and fungal genetic analysis.
About the course
On this progressive course, you focus on the science of microorganisms and the rapidly developing challenges they bring to public health, exploring areas such as epidemiology, antimicrobial chemotherapy and outbreak investigation. By giving you an in-depth understanding of both microbiology and public health while building your practical and transferable skills, the course opens up a broad range of exciting career directions.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Modern STEM building with specialist facilities and bespoke study spaces
- State-of-the-art cell culture lab and analytical science suite
- Industry-standard equipment, including high-tech HPLC, FTIR and GC-MS machines and advanced qPCR and protein analysis facilities, to mirror the professional workplace
Industry links
Our Life Sciences Liaison Board draws in industry-wide experts such as Pharmaron, Life Science Group, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the NHS. The Board’s close collaboration with real-world organisations ensures our course aligns with UK QAA standards as well as preparing you to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Student experience
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ under a team of international experts at a ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ with 30-plus years of experience teaching biological sciences.Ìý
Our school’s active involvement in cutting-edge research and consultancy feeds directly into course delivery, ensuring you’re up to date with the latest advances in the field.Ìý
Benefit from practical laboratory sessions and research-based projects, equipping you with both technical knowledge and skills as well as hands-on experience.Ìý
Tackle a prevailing issue in an area of your choosing with a microbiology research project.Ìý
Immerse yourself in interactive seminars and masterclasses from guests such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Ministry of Defence (MOD), Rothamsted Research and GSK.Ìý
Take part in our annual STEM Careers Expo, which brings together employers and students through presentations, workshops and networking sessionsÌýÌý
Develop your transferable skills, including sought-after competencies such as scientific communication; analysis and evaluation; problem solving; and effective leadership.Ìý
Fulfil your potential with guidance from your own personal academic tutor.Ìý
Course Leader - Professor Prasad S. Sreenivasaprasad
My research interests in molecular ecology are focused on understanding the functional and environmental adaptation in fungi that play key roles in managed and natural ecosystems.
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- Key research areas include adaptive divergence, population biology and speciation
- Integrating phylogenetics, genomics and bioinformatics with microbiology, pathology and ecology applied from laboratory to field scales
Course Leader - Professor Prasad S. Sreenivasaprasad
My research interests in molecular ecology are focused on understanding the functional and environmental adaptation in fungi that play key roles in managed and natural ecosystems.
Ìý
- Key research areas include adaptive divergence, population biology and speciation
- Integrating phylogenetics, genomics and bioinformatics with microbiology, pathology and ecology applied from laboratory to field scales
Course Leader - Professor Prasad S. Sreenivasaprasad
My research interests in molecular ecology are focused on understanding the functional and environmental adaptation in fungi that play key roles in managed and natural ecosystems.
Ìý
- Key research areas include adaptive divergence, population biology and speciation
- Integrating phylogenetics, genomics and bioinformatics with microbiology, pathology and ecology applied from laboratory to field scales
Course Leader - Professor Prasad S. Sreenivasaprasad
My research interests in molecular ecology are focused on understanding the functional and environmental adaptation in fungi that play key roles in managed and natural ecosystems.
Ìý
- Key research areas include adaptive divergence, population biology and speciation
- Integrating phylogenetics, genomics and bioinformatics with microbiology, pathology and ecology applied from laboratory to field scales
Control of infectious disease – ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ the scientific principles and practical strategies used to control infectious disease including vaccines, antibiotics and surveillance.
Microorganisms in health and disease – Explore aspects such as the growth of microorganisms, microbial diversity, virulence and the role of the immune system.
Molecular and diagnostic microbiology – Up-to-the-minute examination of how molecular biology techniques are used to diagnose infections.
Epidemiology in public health – An introduction to the key concepts and principles of epidemiology with a focus on research analysis.
Public health protection – Explore the role public health plays in protecting the population from infectious diseases and the effects of environmental hazards.
Principles, policies and issues in public health – How principles, policies and research issues have influenced public health in the UK and internationally.
Microbiology and public health research methods – Develop your understanding of research in microbiology and public health as well as building your data-analysis skills.
Microbiology research project – Undertake an independent research investigation in an area of interest, from planning through to presentation.
For an at-a-glance list of modules for this course, download the course specification.
Assessment is integral in all units to check that you have met the threshold standards expected of all graduates. They are also linked to learning designed to develop key subject specific and transferable skills for future employment. The requirements of each assessment will be detailed in a formal assessment brief document and discussed in teaching sessions. The Microbiology and public health research methods unit (BHS0YY-6) which has a single summative assessment will be supported with an earlier formative submission to enable students to gain feedback on their initial progress as they develop their research proposal. Units that include an end of unit examination shall include a formative exam experience to prepare students. The assessment tasks will include:
- End of unit examination (unseen written examinations)
- Problem-based learning based on case studies with poster presentation of findings
- Formal public health reports and briefing paper
- Laboratory notebook and laboratory reports
- Literature review
- Research proposal
- Oral presentation.
Careers
This course prepares you for a career in pharmaceutical or biotechnological industries; the health sector including the NHS and public health; and academic research. It equips you with the knowledge and skills to take on roles in settings such as diagnostic and reference laboratories as well as within local and national government agencies.
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
