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Microbiology with a Placement Year

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 15/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site
Awarded by:
University of East Anglia

Course summary

Overview
Microbiology underpins many of the major questions of our time, from the health and wellbeing of humans and animals to major environmental issues such as climate change and energy production. The growing antibiotic resistance of bacteria and the place of microbes in causing cancer are just two of the many pressing problems which microbiology may be able to solve. UEA’s microbiology course is uniquely formulated to train future scientists with the skills to address these issues.

The School of Biological Sciences brings a strong research-led ethos to every course we offer. As a student here, you’ll benefit from our enviable position as an integral partner of the Norwich Research Park (NRP), which is also home to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and independent, world-renowned research institutes: the John Innes Centre, the Sainsbury Laboratory, the Earlham Institute and the Quadram Institute, all of which have microbiology-related research programmes. Norwich is recognized as a hub for microbiology research and is home to world renowned experts in all aspects of microbiology, including climate change, infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.

Microbiology research topics range from the smallest molecular processes to the complex interactions of microbial ecosystems.

Alongside the basics of microbiology, you’ll be trained in other related subjects including biochemistry and genetics. A microbiology placement year will allow you to further hone your skills in industry or research lab work. As you progress through your degree, optional modules will allow you to specialise in specific areas of microbiology, and your final year will allow you to devise and carry out an extended research project.

At UEA you’ll benefit from our enviable position as an integral partner of the Norwich Research Park, which is also home to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and independent, world-renowned research institutes: the John Innes Centre, the Sainsbury Laboratory, the Earlham Institute and the new £75-million Quadram Institute, all of which have microbiology related research programmes and internationally recognized microbiologists.

Our microbiology degree ensures that you’ll learn the full spectrum of microbiology and underlying concepts through year-long microbiology modules in years one and two alongside studies in other important related subjects such as Biochemistry and Molecular biology. Your degree will lay the foundations for a career in microbiology research but will also provide you with transferable skills that will prepare you for a career outside of biology.

Disclaimer

Course details are subject to change. You should always confirm the details on the provider's website: www.uea.ac.uk

How to apply

Apply by
29 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:
C50P
Institution code:
E14
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

including Biology or Human Biology. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Critical Thinking & General Studies not accepted. Contextual offer: BBB including Biology or Human Biology. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Critical Thinking & General Studies not accepted.

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

in Applied Science, or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Animal Management. Contextual offer: DDM Please see UEA website for further information on accepted subjects and combinations. Excludes BTEC Public Services, BTEC Uniformed Services, BTEC Business Administration and BTEC Forensic Science.

Access to HE Diploma - D: 36 credits M: 9 credits

including 12 Level 3 credits in Biology.

Scottish Higher - AAAAA

including Biology.

Scottish Advanced Higher - BBC

including Biology.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 33 points

including Higher Level 5 in Biology.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Principal subjects and A-level combinations are considered - please contact us.

T Level

Obtain an overall Pass including a A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects are: Science.

GCSE Requirements: GCSE English Language grade 4 or C and GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or C.

UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes – please see our website www.uea.ac.uk/apply/undergraduate/contextual-admissions for further information.

We welcome a wide range of qualifications - for further information please visit our website www.uea.ac.uk

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component).
We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including speaking, listening, reading and writing). We will also accept a number of other English language qualifications. Please check our website for details https://www.uea.ac.uk/apply/our-admissions-policy/english-language-equivalencies

English Language Equivalencies https://www.uea.ac.uk/apply/our-admissions-policy/english-language-equivalencies

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

This course may make contextual offers. This means that we use additional information to understand and recognise your potential to succeed at UEA. Using this insight, we could provide you with an offer with reduced entry requirements to study at UEA. You don’t need to do anything to be considered – if eligible we will process your contextual offer automatically, based on the data we hold in your application. We do not make contextual offers during clearing. Check our website for eligibility.

Learn more on the University of East Anglia UEA website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
International£27900Year 1

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

Tuition fees increase annually for all students in subsequent years of study. Any fee increase is based on the fee for the year that you register. Home undergraduate fees, whose rates are regulated by the UK Government, will be amended in line with any alteration advised by the UK Government. Fees not regulated by the UK Government will increase by a maximum of 4% or RPI-X whichever is the higher. RPI-X is the Retail Prices Index excluding mortgage interest.
For further information about additional costs for your course and information on fee status please see our website.

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