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MSc Medical Microbiology with Placement Year

Why choose Herts?

  • Teaching Excellence: You will be taught by renowned researchers within our new multi-million-pound science facility.
  • Industry-Focused Course Content: Explore current research areas including antimicrobial resistant, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of disease.
  • Work-Related Learning: You have a sandwich year pathway available for you to find your own placement and enhance your employability.
  • Entry requirements and key information

    The normal entry requirements for the programme are:

    • An Honours Degree in Biomedical and related sciences with a background in molecular biology, genetics and immunology with a final classification grade of a minimum 60% with evidence of having completed a research project and practical experience in a range of laboratory techniques relevant to the course such as bacterial culturing, DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis
    • A professional qualification accepted as equivalent to the above; or
    • A qualification in veterinary science, medicine or dentistry; or
    • A first or second class Honours Degree in disciplines other than those described above but where the applicant, in the opinion of the Programme Leader, would benefit from, and succeed on, the programme
    • Students will be selected through interview

    In addition, all international students are required to demonstrate an English Language capability of IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in any band) or equivalent qualification.

    Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Life and Medical Sciences

    Course length
  • Sandwich, 2 Years
    		•

    Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
    		•
  • Employability

    What job can I get?

    Upon graduation, you may go on to work in a broad range of fields including: medical or pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, public health and epidemiology, academia research, medical writing/science journalism, education, or patent law. Alternatively, you may also use the MSc medical Microbiology to underpin an application to study for a research degree such as MRes, MSc by Research, or a PhD in a related field.

About the course

The MSc Medical Microbiology with Placement Year will equip you with the skills and in-depth knowledge required to have an impactful career in a range of sectors such. The course will help you develop extensive theoretical and practical laboratory skills in by building on the research expertise of the teaching team. Techniques and theoretical skills include: antimicrobial susceptibility testing, antibiotic resistance-gene analysis, microbial identification (16SrRNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry), parasite identification, next generation sequencing analysis, bacteriophage isolation and purification, antibiotic discovery and characterisation, and mammalian cell culture.

You’ll be taught by expert speakers from the biopharmaceutical industry, academic experts from other universities and the University of Hertfordshire staff. With our modern facilities, emphasis on laboratory work, and teaching underpinned by the latest research, you’ll be qualified to launch a career in research and development for biopharmaceutical companies. You could also work in a wide range of non-laboratory job roles across a range of sectors, including academia and microbiology. 

Alternatively, consider taking our other MSc Medical Microbiology routes:

Why choose this course?

  • 92% overall satisfaction for Medicine and Dentistry in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024)
  • You’ll be taught by expert staff in medical microbiology, who have worked in academic research, clinical research, the NHS, and the biopharmaceuticals sector
  • You’ll benefit from pioneering guest lecturers from academia and industry
  • Our modern Science Building provides excellent facilities for laboratory work, including QPCR, cell culture, protein analysis, isolated tissue studies and immunohistochemistry
  • Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped to work in a wide range of roles in the medical microbiology and biotechnology industries
  • If successful, you will have the opportunity to apply for a 12-month placement. If you are not successful in finding a placement position, you can transfer to the MSc Medical Microbiology with Advanced Research route
  • We adopt a blended learning approach to teaching, focussing on problem-based scenarios so you can develop strong critical analysis skills. You’ll have substantial exposure to practical techniques and guaranteed laboratory-based research projects

What will I study?

We’ll provide you with opportunities to develop your knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of clinically significant microorganisms. You’ll study selected pathogens and learn how diseases are spread, diagnosed, treated, and prevented.

The course includes a series of taught modules covering topics such as cell biology and immunology, genetics and protein biology, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic techniques, emerging viruses and fungi, research design and analysis, microbiome studies, biotechnology. There’s also a specialist research project where you can focus on a research topic that interests you. You’ll benefit from our problem-based teaching approach and develop advanced critical analysis and group working skills. 

You’ll undertake a practical project as part of your MSc enabling you to use our expert facilities.  You’ll work alongside researchers in our Biosciences Research Group and gain vital experience. Current research projects include studies in the following broad areas:

  • Novel antimicrobial agent development
  • Bacterial pathogen physiology and virulence, e.g. Clostridioides difficile, Mycobacterium spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus
  • Antimicrobial resistance studies
  • Extracellular vesicles and links to infection processes
  • Bacteriophage biology and resistance gene transfer
  • MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for microbial identification and characterisation
  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    Genetics and Protein Biology30 CreditsCompulsory
    Contemporary Topics in Medical Microbiology30 CreditsCompulsory
    Genome Science30 CreditsCompulsory
    Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology30 CreditsCompulsory
    Work Placement Assessment0 CreditsCompulsory
    Research Methods15 CreditsCompulsory
    Research Project for Sandwich Route45 CreditsCompulsory
    MSc Biosciences Placement Year60 CreditsCompulsory

    • Key staff

    Dr Andrew Timms
    Lecturer

    Dr Cristina Barrero Sicilia
    Deputy Programme Leader

    Dr Esther Garcia-Cela
    Senior Lecturer

    Dr Madhu Goyal
    Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader
    Find out more about Dr Madhu Goyal

    Dr Shan Goh
    Senior Lecturer
    Find out more about Dr Shan Goh

    Dr Simon Baines
    Subject Group Lead
    Find out more about Dr Simon Baines

    Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc Medical Microbiology - Extended (Revised 2024) Download
    Programme specifications
    MSc Medical Microbiology - Extended (Revised 2024) Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    Mandatory

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.