Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
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How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
Course summary
- 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
Your lecturer's view
At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.
You experience a vibrant, challenging and supportive range of learning activities as you progress through the course. The overall aim of the programme is to give you sound preparation for a career in microbiology.
This course covers subjects such as diagnosis, understanding, treatment, and prognosis of disease, and biotechnology applications such as the production of drugs, environmental bioremediation.
Practical skills are developed throughout the course and you gain experience in molecular microbiology and other related techniques]\. All practical classes are led by academic staff whose research incorporates the latest microbiological and biotechnological techniques.
You learn through
- lectures and seminars
- workshops and tutorials
- laboratory classes
- a research project
- experience days
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
Live projects
Research skills and statistical analysis are developed throughout the programme and applied to relevant microbiological problems/case studies. New elements of genomics and proteomics have been introduced allowing students to apply basic science knowledge and skills to experimental study design, and management and data analysis. In the final trimester, students' apply their skills to a two month research project, working with an academic who is a specialist in the field, exploring a current microbiological application.
Field trips
Embedded in various modules are opportunities to visit organisations using microbiology practically in the healthcare, biotechnology and food and beverage industries. For example students studying microbial biotechnology have opportunities to visit a brewery and students enrolled on medical microbiology modules will get the chance to visit a clinical microbiology pathology laboratory.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- academic research
- the industrial biotechnology sector
- the health biotechnology sector
- PhD study
- the pharmaceutical industry
- food and beverage industries
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 a 2:2 are also actively encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with alternative qualifications with academic attainment or skills in subjects which are directly relevant to the course will also be considered.
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
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
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
Advanced Applications in Microbial Microbiology
Advanced Laboratory and Research Practice
Applied Laboratory Practive
Case Studies in Infectious Disease
Fundamentals of Microbial Microbiology
Fundamentals of Molecular Microbiology
Research Project
Elective modules
Current Laboratory Applications
Genomics and Proteomics
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting distance learning study in 2025/26 is £10,620 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. Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £5,310 per year.
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.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available 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, 133.1KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
