Microbiology

Entry requirements

First or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject.

Months of entry

Anytime

Course content

Microbiology impacts numerous aspects of our lives, including ensuring our food is safe, treating and preventing disease, developing green technologies, and tracking the role of microbes in climate change. This research programme can equip students with the skills needed to solve major global challenges such as antibiotic resistance, clean drinking water, and food security, by conducting research in areas such as medical, industrial, and environmental microbiology; molecular, cell, and system biology; recombinant DNA technology; protein biochemistry; structural biology; fermentation; and bioengineering.

Students will have at least one formal meeting with their supervisors each month where progress will be discussed. After three months students are expected to provide an outline of their research proposal, which will be evaluated. Most students are initially enrolled on an MPhil programme, and after the first year they may apply for transfer to a PhD programme via a written report on which they will be orally examined.

Both the MPhil and PhD are awarded based on the quality of a student's thesis and their ability to present and successfully defend their research in an oral examination (viva voce). They are expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge, or developed existing theory or understanding.

Department specialisms

Research within the Department of Life Sciences is conducted within five research groups. The Animal Behaviour, Cognition, and Welfare Research Group comprises a unique team of internationally-renowned researchers working at the forefront of, and interface between, animal behaviour, cognition, health, and welfare. The Cancer and Aging Research Group follows a multi-disciplinary and highly collaborative approach to increase understanding of disease characteristically associated with ageing at the molecular level, to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The Diabetes, Metabolism and Inflammation Research Group is focused on innovative research in the area of diabetes and related cardio metabolic and associated inflammatory disorders. The Evolution and Ecology Research Group works to understand the evolution and ecology of populations, species, and communities, across all levels of biological organisation, from genes through to ecosystems. The Microbiology and Biotechnology Research Group is working to answer fundamental questions relating to the characterisation, evaluation, and testing of micro-organisms and viruses. Find out more about these research groups on our Department research pages: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/research/

Information for international students

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

If you are an overseas student, you may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate in order to enrol on this course.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Fees and funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. Loans are available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.