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Microbiology

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • October 2026
  • Undergraduate
Colchester Campus
More about University of Essex

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Microbes are the basis of our planet’s ecosystem. They are essential to the health of life across the planet, and the delivery of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. They can be used in biotechnology such as for improving crop yield, while others spoil crops and cause devastating diseases such as COVID-19 and cholera. So it is essential we understand how they work.

On our BSc Microbiology course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to help resolve interconnected global crises such as pollution, climate change, food insecurity, antibiotic resistance and infectious diseases. You will learn from world-leading microbiologists about the different kinds of microbes (bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and viruses) and their interactions with animals – including humans – and the environment, as well as how they can be used for the benefit of all. Only a small fraction of all the microbes that exist have been grown in the laboratory, so you will learn about novel approaches – like metagenomics – to investigate this “microbial dark matter”.

You will gain a range of practical skills in our modern STEM Centre Laboratory. This hands-on lab training throughout your first and second years will prepare you for your final-year research project.

This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Colchester Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • October 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C555
Institution code:
E70
Campus name:
Colchester Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Essex has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C555
Institution code:
E70
Campus name:
Colchester Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

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Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff 112 - 120 points

Offers will be made from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels

A level BBB

Offers will be made in the range of BBB to BBC
or 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels

Including Biology (or equivalent). Acceptable A-level equivalents are Chemistry and Life and Health Sciences.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDM

Offers will be made in the range of DDM to DMM
or 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels

Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.

Access to HE Diploma D: 6 credits M: 39 credits

We will consider science based Access to Higher Education Diplomas. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.

We can only accept QAA approved Access to HE Diplomas

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 29 - 30 points

or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554. Either must include Higher level Biology or Chemistry grade 5, plus Standard Level Mathematics grade 4

Maths in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.

We are happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

T Level D

For our Life Sciences courses we can consider T-levels taken in Science on a case-by-case basis. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core. We cannot accept the T-levels in Health or Healthcare Science.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fees displayed are for the 2025-26 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.

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