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
1. Course summary
- Explore the principles behind environmental, industrial and medical microbiology.
- Learn how microorganisms cause disease and interact with the immune system.
- Discover how bacteria and fungi can be used as tools across various industries.
- Develop your lab skills, from experimental design to advanced microbiological techniques.
The MSc course provides a comprehensive understanding of molecular microbiology, infectious diseases, prevention and treatment, and the biotechnological applications of microorganisms. You’ll gain the theoretical and practical expertise needed to thrive in microbiology-focused careers across healthcare, industry and research.
To complete an extended research project, see our MRes Molecular Microbiology course.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
2. How you learn
You’ll study in an engaging and supportive environment, designed to develop your independence, critical thinking and professional skills. The course follows our Hallam Model, ensuring an applied, collaborative and industry-relevant approach to your learning.
Lectures introduce key concepts, with interactive discussions and problem-solving exercises to encourage deeper learning. You'll engage with recent scientific developments and apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Key skills are embedded in your modules and research project – including scientific writing, literature and database searching, data handling and critical analysis.
You’ll progress from tutor-led to student-centred learning, encouraging independence and professional growth. You’ll receive continuous guidance and constructive feedback to support your academic journey.
You learn through:
- lectures and seminars
- interactive workshops
- practical laboratory classes
- independent research project work
- small group academic tutorials
Key themes
On the Molecular Microbiology MSc programme you’ll comprehensively explore medical microbiology and microbial biotechnology, gaining advanced knowledge and research skills for careers in academia, industry and healthcare.
Through a combination of taught modules and practical research, you’ll gain expertise in microbial cell structure and function, microbial pathogenesis and biotechnological applications of microorganisms.
Course-level support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- access to academic and career development support
- one-to-one guidance from student support advisers
- online and in-person resources from the Skills Centre, including assignment planning and structuring assistance
Course leaders and tutors
Sarah Forbes
Senior lecturer microbiology, MSc/MRes Molecular Microbiology, MSc/MRes Biomedical Laboratory ScienceI am a lecturer in biomedical sciences working within the fields of antimicrobial chemotherapy and microbial ecology
Applied learning
Networking opportunities
You'll have opportunities to connect with industry professionals through guest lectures, career fairs, mentoring schemes and leadership programmes – helping you build valuable industry connections and enhance your employability.
3. Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- the pharmaceutical industry
- the industrial biotechnology sector
- food and beverage industries
- PhD study
Previous graduates have gone on to work for:
- Public Health England
- AstraZeneca
- Qiagen
- the NHS
4. 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.
5. Equipment and facilities
Teaching takes place in lecture theatres, seminar rooms and specialist laboratory facilities. Through our virtual learning environment Blackboard you’ll be able to access learning materials, interactive resources and course information – both on-campus and remotely.
You’ll have access to industry-standard equipment, gaining hands-on experience in scenario-based practical sessions. You’ll gain the technical expertise and practical experience needed for a career in microbiology, using facilities such as:
- award-winning cell culture suites
- aseptic microbiology facilities
- high-powered fluorescent microscopes for cell and tissue analysis
- state-of-the-art mass spectrometry equipment
- molecular biology facilities allowing quantification of nucleic acids and proteins
- an extensive range of analytical equipment, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC)
360 tour - biosciences and chemistry facilities
6. 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 student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a 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.
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
8. 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 £12,858 is available in 2025/26 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.
