Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £11,590 for the course
International/EU: £19,705 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
Course summary
- Undertake taught modules alongside an extended research project in a professional lab.
- Explore the fundamental principles that underpin environmental, industrial and medical microbiology.
- Learn how microorganisms cause disease and interact with the immune system and what practical steps can be taken to prevent and treat these conditions.
- Consider how bacteria and fungi can be used as tools in a diverse range of industries.
- Develop and enhance your laboratory skills from experimental design, through utilisation of pertinent techniques, to interpretation of results.
This course has been designed to respond to the increasing need for highly skilled microbiologists across a range of industries. You'll undertake the critical task of translating basic laboratory medical research into clinical and commercial applications
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
You are taught through various learning activities designed to challenge and support as you progress through the course. The aim is to give a theoretical and practical knowledge of your subject.
In the first semester you will follow taught modules that provide fundamental knowledge, and the module Applied Laboratory Practice will introduce you to the practical and theoretical basis of research. Together these will give you a sound basis to carry out your Extended Research Project in semesters two and three.
You learn through
- lectures and seminars
- workshops and tutorials
- laboratory classes
- an extended research project
- working in a professional laboratory
Course leaders and tutors
Sarah Forbes
Lecturer in Biomedical SciencesI am a lecturer in biomedical sciences working within the fields of antimicrobial chemotherapy and microbial ecology
Applied learning
You'll undertake a research project aligned with the current research interests of an academic member of staff, within our professional laboratories of the Biomolecular Research Centre.
You'll work within a real research group, fully supported throughout by your academic supervisor. The project will include a critical review of the literature relevant to your research project, the development of a project proposal, the development of research methods and the analysis, presentation and interpretation of experimental data. Since the project extends over two semesters, it allows you to have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the project and to have the time to collect meaningful data, thus enabling an authentic research scientist experience.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- academic research
- the industrial biotechnology sector
- the health biotechnology sector
- the pharmaceutical industry
- food and beverage industries
- preparation for a PhD
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour
Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.
Equipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- industry-standard instrumentation
- a state of the art microbiology suite in our research centre
360 tour - biosciences and chemistry facilities
Entry requirements
All students
A 2:1 in a relevant Honours degree is normally accepted as the entry requirement for the course. Applicants with alternative qualifications with academic attainment or skills in subjects which are directly relevant to the course will also be considered.
To be successful on this course, you must have relevant practical laboratory experience. Details of your laboratory experience must be specifically detailed in your personal statement and verified by one of your referees.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Applied Laboratory Practice
Extended Research Project
Fundamentals Of Microbial Biotechnology
Fundamentals Of Molecular Microbiology
Microbial Pathogenesis
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £11,590 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £19,705 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Biosciences and Chemistry (PDF, 131.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
