Our Microbiology BSc reveals how microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, influence global health and ecosystems. You’ll gain the scientific skills to apply microbiology in developing vaccines, improving food safety and advancing medical treatments.
Study a curriculum that explores some of society’s biggest challenges, from emerging disease threats to the increase of antibiotic resistance.
Access our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory and use equipment found in the NHS and research labs worldwide.
Gain industry experience through our Professional Training placements scheme, where you work for an organisation or in one of our partner laboratories across the world.
Learn from lecturers who are active researchers in virology, bacteriology, antimicrobial resistance and systems biology, whose work is used by governments, health professionals and industry.
We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.
Our Microbiology BSc is ranked 5th in the UK for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2026
Top 15 in the UK
For biological sciences in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
94%
Of our biosciences graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA)
*Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all providers listed in the Guardian University Guide league table, 'Microbiology and cell science' grouping.
In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the microbial world. You’ll study topics that are fundamental to microbiology, including bacteriology, biochemistry and cell biology, as well as learning important hands-on lab techniques.
During your second year, you’ll get the option to study modules including Cellular Microbiology and Virology, Food Microbiology, Introduction to Immunology, and Pathology and Medicine. On these modules, you’ll explore topics such as adaptive immune response and cellular injury, as well as the characteristics of the major groups of bacteria, protozoa and viruses.
In your final year, you’ll study biomedical microbial products and the epidemiology of infectious diseases. You can also choose to explore topics such as advanced virology, animal infectious diseases, gene expression, clinical immunology, and pathogenesis and therapeutics of cancer. You will also complete a research project, bringing together all the practical, analytical and presentation skills you’ve developed.
Professional recognition
BSc (Hons) - Royal Society of Biology Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
Foundation year
If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this degree with a Biosciences Foundation Year. This is an extra year of study to develop your skills and make it easier for you to get started at university. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree.
To see what modules you’ll be studying, refer to the foundation tab in the 'Course structure' section.
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: Thefull module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course is available in the relevant programme specification.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff.
New for 2026 entry: At Surrey, we want you to be a future-ready graduate. That’s why all our courses will offer at least one module that integrates and teaches AI tools in discipline-specific ways. You’ll develop the digital skills that employers are looking for and get comfortable with the tech of the future.
We have a research-led focus to our teaching, ensuring everything you learn is up to date and relevant to employers. You’ll be taught by lecturers who are active researchers in antimicrobial resistance, biotechnology, clinical bacteriology, systems biology, and virology.
Group work
Lectures
Online learning
Seminars
Tutorials
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including:
Coursework
Essays
Examinations
Practical write-ups
Presentations.
General course information
Contact hours
You will spend a significant part of your first year in laboratory-based practicals. This will vary in your second year, depending on what modules you choose to study.
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable during Welcome Week. In later semesters, at least one week before the start of the semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
94%
Employability
Of our biosciences graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA)
This course will prepare you for a wide range of careers, from scientific and technical roles to teaching and science journalism.
92% of our biosciences graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA). With a Microbiology degree, you could take a role such as:
Government and public health scientist
Research analyst
Scientific data analysis specialist
Technician.
Our alumni can be found in academic and industrial research laboratories around the world, with recent graduates working for:
Leatherhead Food Research
Procter & Gamble
The NHS
Sanofi.
With the critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills learnt throughout the course, some graduates have sought alternative careers in business, healthcare, teaching and tourism. Many students also use this course to apply for further study, including postgraduate research.
You’ll benefit from hands-on learning in our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory, where you'll learn how to conduct experiments and follow scientific protocols.
The Laboratory is fitted with the latest industry equipment, which you’ll use to carry out a full range of experiments. These include the analysis of the genetic makeup of different types of microbes and the use of specialist computer software to model microbiological systems and metabolic pathways.
The time you spend in our facilities will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with microbiology methodology and develop the practical laboratory experience that’s essential in a research career and valued by a wide range of employers.
You may also get to use specialist, dedicated research labs and equipment for your final-year project.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language (1/2) 6 or English Language 3 (7) and Mathematics 6.
BSc (Hons):
QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit - 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit.
Required subjects: 15 credits in Biology or Chemistry and 15 credits in another science subject.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 21 at Distinction, 3 at Merit and 21 at Pass.
Required subjects: modules must be in relevant subjects.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
BSc (Hons):
AABBB-ABBBB
Required subjects: Biology or Chemistry and another science or mathematics subject.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
BBBCC
Required subjects: a science subject.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade C (Scottish National 5).
BSc (Hons):
ABB-BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
Required subjects: A-level biology and an A-level in another science or mathematics subject.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
CCC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
Required subjects: an A-level in a science subject.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
BSc (Hons):
Distinction overall, with C in the Core Component.
Required subjects: Science.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
Pass overall, with D in the Core Component.
Required subjects: Science.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.
Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Foundation Year
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements for this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
If you are a suitable candidate you may be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
Contextual offers
Did you know eligible students receive support through their application to Surrey, which could include a grade reduction on offer?
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be during October to November of each academic year).
50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis cannot pay fees by instalment.
Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Additional costs
Safety equipment and/or uniform: £24– equipment pack (includes laboratory coat, laboratory glasses, laboratory books, pen and bag). You are responsible for the costs associated with maintaining/washing/replacing any equipment.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
We have thousands of placement providers to choose from, most of which offer pay. So, become one of our many students who have had their lives and career choices transformed.
Statistics
Placement Statistics
92%
of students who did a placement entered into graduate level employment*
80%
of placements are paid, with 60% paying between £18,000 - £30,000
48%
of our students have been offered a graduate role from their placement provider**
*Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA
**Professional training year returners survey 2024
Microbiology placements
You can choose to work for a range of employers, including pharmaceutical organisations, food suppliers and biotechnology companies, to practise and enhance your skills.
Previous students have gained placements with:
Black Swan Analysis Ltd
GSK
The NHS
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
The Pirbright Institute.
We also have an extensive number of partner institutions that offer placements exclusively to Surrey students, giving you access to research laboratories across the world. Explore your options via our search tool and find out more about our current partner universities and organisations.
You can also develop your transferrable skills by working in other fields, such as scientific communications, marketing, and data analysis.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University. But we offer support and guidance throughout the process, with access to a vacancy site of placement opportunities.
"One of the highlights of my placement at GlaxoSmithKline was the additional skills I didn’t expect to learn in a lab-based setting, such as procurement, project management, event planning and EHS engagement."
Studying at Surrey opens a world of opportunity. Take advantage of our study and work abroad partnerships, explore the world, and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
The opportunities abroad vary depending on the course, but options include study exchanges, work/research placements, summer programmes, and recent graduate internships. Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With 140+ opportunities in 36+ different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone. Explore your options via our search tool and find out more about our current partner universities and organisations.
On A-level results day - Thursday 13 August 2026
A large number of students secure Clearing offers by contacting universities on A-level results day. Get ahead by visiting our Clearing site – it has everything you need to understand how Clearing works and how to prepare.
Already received your A-level or International Baccalaureate Diploma results?
You can apply through Early Clearing from 2 July, if you:
Have already received your A-level or International Baccalaureate Diploma results (if you have a mix of these qualifications, or other qualifications, email admissions@surrey.ac.uk).
Have a UCAS Personal ID number - if not, create a UCAS account first.
Have received all your final results at the time of applying.
Are ready to start university in September 2026.
Ready to start your journey with us? Apply from 2 July and you’ll receive an email decision within one hour. We look forward to hearing from you!
We provide these terms and conditions at offer stage and are shown again at registration. You will be asked to accept these terms and conditions when you accept the offer made to you.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
