MSci Microbiology with Professional Placement
About this course
Master in Science in Microbiology with Professional Placement MSci, a biology and microbiology degree focused on microbes and professional training. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. The programme incorporates a dedicated industry placement year. The first year introduces foundational subjects through Cell Biology & Physiology, Molecular Biosciences and Microbiology, Genetics I, and Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology. The second year develops techniques via Genetic Engineering and Data Science, Microbiology: Medicine, Environment, and Industry, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Human Structure and Function. The third year is spent on an industry placement, structured around Work Based Literature Review and Project Design and a Work Based Research Project. The final year allows students to explore advanced topics through modules such as Bacterial Gene Regulation, Arctic Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Immunology, and Omics for Biomedical Research, alongside a major Practical Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAA including Biology / Human Biology + 1 from Chemistry / Physics / Maths / Further Maths / Statistics / Geology / Geography / Psychology. IB: 6,6,6 including Biology / Human Biology + 1 from Chemistry / Physics / Maths: Analysis and Approaches / Maths: Applications and Interpretation/ Statistics / Geology / Geography / Psychology. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate are accepted, but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further guidance
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What students say
Based on about 66 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 115 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 98%
- Left higher education: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 33 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Natural and social science professionals: 13%
- Finance Professionals: 8%
- Teaching Professionals: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 145 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 33%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 20%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 110 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 91%
- Access course: 1%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Cell Biology & Physiology
- Discovering Biosciences Skills and Enterprise
- Ecological Concepts and Plant Sciences
- Genetics I
- Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology
- Molecular Biosciences and Microbiology
- Communication and Enterprise
- Genetic Engineering and Data Science
- Genetics II
- Microbiology: Medicine, Environment, and Industry
- Alpine and Glacial Ecology in Norway
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Critical Issues for 21st Century Ecosystems
- Field Course: Adaptations to Aquatic Environments
- Human Structure and Function
- Plant Sciences: from cells to the environment
- Topics in Medical Biosciences
- Work Based Literature Review and Project Design
- Work Based Research Project
- LH Microbial Pathogenicity and Disease
- LH Evidence-based literature review and critical analysis informed project proposal
- LH Introduction to Teaching Biosciences in Schools with Evidence-Based Literature Review
- LH Practical Project
- Arctic Microbiology
- Bacterial Gene Regulation
- Conservation Practice: Genes to Ecosystems
- Current developments and advances in Eukaryotic Genetics
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology
- Omics for Biomedical Research
- Responses to Global Environmental Change
- Structures of Destruction: the structural biology of pathogenicity
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Microbiology with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £44,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for Biology.
What do graduates of MSci Microbiology with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Microbiology with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Microbiology with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 135 UCAS points.
Does MSci Microbiology with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MSci Microbiology with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham?
98% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.