Microbiology

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:2 degree in a relevant subject. Acceptance of any candidate is at the discretion of the supervisor, following an interview.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Research in the School of Biosciences revolves around understanding systems and processes in the living cell. It has a strong molecular focus with leading-edge activities that are synergistic with one another and complementary to the teaching provision.

Our Microbiology course provides research expertise and professional skills in contemporary microbiology, opening up a future career in academic research or in the health-care sector. You have the opportunity to conduct a research project in the field of bacteriology, medical and basic mycology, virology and parasitology. You gain a cross-disciplinary training from genetic engineering to drug development. Your research will contribute to a range of fields including Infectious diseases, Cellular architecture and dynamics and Industrial biotechnology.

You are based in a research lab and undertake research on a project agreed with your Research Supervisor. As this is a research-focused master's course, you take an interactive approach to learning, rather than taking traditional lectures. Seminars, workshops and lab meetings enable you to gain an in-depth understanding of the field. A wide range of courses and workshops are available for your professional development as a research scientist.

Study for the MSc degree, a one-year research project (Full time), can also be undertaken as a two-year project (Part time). In all our research degrees you undertake a single, focused, research project from day one, and attend only certain components of our transferable skills modules. Our research degree students are supervised by supervisory teams which comprise their main supervisor(s) as well as supervisory chairs that give independent advice on progression. The MSc culminates in the submission of a written research dissertation and oral viva voce examination. Additionally, you present your results at the annual Postgraduate Symposium in July.

Additional Research Costs and International Scholarship

Please note that some projects incur additional research costs to support consumable requirements. These costs are typically in the range of £1200 - £2,000, though exceptionally these can be as high as £5,000 for resource-intensive projects. You will be informed of any additional costs when you discuss projects with your potential supervisor.

The School of Biosciences International Scholarship of £2,000 is available to all international fee-paying Master’s students.

Information for international students

Please see our International website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, international fee-paying students cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.

For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

Fees and funding

For further information about funding, including scholarships, please visit our funding web pages.