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Microbiology

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,B-A,B,B

A-level Biology or Double Award Science required. A-level General Studies and Critical Thinking are normally excluded from offers. However, the grade achieved may be taken into account when results are published in August and may be used in a tie-break situation.

Access to HE Diploma must contain sufficient relevant modules in Biology and Chemistry. Contact the Admissions and Access Service ([email protected]) for advice. Successful completion of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 60 credits is required, including 45 credits at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32-33

6,5,5 to include Higher Level Biology.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H3,H3,H3,H3,H4,H4-H3,H3,H3,H3,H3,H3


To include Higher Level grade H3 in Biology. If not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in English and Mathematics. If not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade 03 in Chemistry.

Successful completion of Extended Diploma (180 Level 3 credits) with overall grades DDD.

National Extended Diploma must be relevant, ie Applied Science Successful completion of National Extended Diploma (1080 Level 3 GLH) with overall grade DDD. Applicants must have Distinction grades in four specified units to include: Principles of Applied Science I Principles of Applied Science II and two from the following: Biological Molecules & Metabolic Pathways Genetics & Genetic Engineering Diseases and Infections Microbiology & Microbiological Techniques

Scottish Advanced Higher

B,B,B-A,B,B

Advanced Higher Biology required. Offers are normally made on the basis of a combination of Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.

UCAS Tariff

120-152

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa and viruses, and is of immense importance in relation to the environment, agriculture and food, biomedical sciences and biotechnology. Graduates in Microbiology are therefore highly sought after in these fields. Viruses, bacteria and fungi play major roles in the diseases of man, animals and plants. Microbiologists have been central to their diagnosis and in combating such diseases through the discovery of effective therapies. Microorganisms also play a central role in the biosphere, through environmental processing or recycling of elements and waste products. They are also crucial in the manufacture of fermented foods and beverages.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£25,300
per year
International
£25,300
per year
Northern Ireland
£4,750
per year
Republic of Ireland
£4,750
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Queen's University Belfast

Department:

School of Biological Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

80%
Microbiology

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Microbiology and cell science

Teaching and learning

80%
Staff make the subject interesting
96%
Staff are good at explaining things
68%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
56%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

80%
Library resources
84%
IT resources
88%
Course specific equipment and facilities
88%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

99%
UK students
1%
International students
45%
Male students
55%
Female students
88%
2:1 or above
0%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
C
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Microbiology and cell science

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£18,000
med
Average annual salary
90%
low
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

20%
Natural and social science professionals
16%
Other elementary services occupations
15%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers

If you want a career in microbiology, then this is the degree to take. The recession hit the job market for microbiologists particularly badly, but things have improved very significantly since then, and microbiologists are now amongst the most employable biological sciences graduates. We don't produce many graduates in the subject every year and a lot take further qualifications on graduating. Microbiology graduates who want to leave the lab can find jobs in most industries - not just in health and hospitals, but in the food and drink, water and ecology sectors, too.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of East Anglia UEA | Norwich
Microbiology with a Placement Year
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 136-165
Lower entry requirements
University of Central Lancashire | Preston
Microbiology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-120
Nearby University
Ulster University | Coleraine
Biology with optional placement year
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-111

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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