Course contact details
Admissions Office
Email:ugadmissions@reading.ac.uk
Phone:0118 378 8372
University of Reading
Whiteknights Campus
Reading
RG6 6UR
Microbiology with Professional Experience (MSci)
- Msci (Hon)
- 5 Years
- Full-time
- October 2025
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Expand your knowledge of some of the planet's smallest life forms. Contribute to research projects with global impact on this integrated MSci Microbiology with Professional Experience course.
Take a look at the fascinating world of microbes and their crucial roles in the biosphere. Through the course, you will learn about the fundamental properties, genetics and physiology of diverse microbes. Choose optional modules and focus your studies on areas that most interest you, including medical, environmental or food microbiology.
The MSci follows the standard undergraduate curriculum but with an additional year of study and a master's level qualification. This course has a strong practical basis, and you will learn a wide variety of techniques such as microbial genetics, biochemistry and propagation.
Enhance your employability and put your practical skills to the test with a year-long industrial placement between your second and third years. We have contacts with numerous microbiology-related companies/organisations within the UK and abroad, ranging from government health agencies and pharmaceuticals to water treatment and biotechnology.
In the past, students have worked at Public Health England’s Porton Down and Colindale laboratories, GSK, AstraZeneca and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.
For more information, please visit the programme page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/biological-sciences-ug/msci-microbiology-with-professional-experience
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Msci (Hon) • Full-time • 5 Years
Start dates
- October 2025
Apply by
29 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:
- C504
- Institution code:
- R12
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Reading 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
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:
- C504
- Institution code:
- R12
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level ABB - BBB
ABB with B in Biology.
Or
BBB with B in Biology and a second science.
Acceptable second science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD
including relevant science modules.
Access to HE Diploma D: 24 credits M: 21 credits
including relevant science units.
Scottish Higher AABBB - ABBBB
AABBB including B in Biology.
Or
ABBBB including B in Biology and a second science subject.
Acceptable second science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 30 - 32 points
32 points including 5 in Biology at higher level.
Or
30 points including 5 in Biology and a second science subject, both at higher level.
Acceptable second science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.
Extended Project B
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification provides to students for University study, we now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer. Eligible applicants would receive two offers, our usual offer plus an alternative offer of a B in the EPQ and one grade lower in their A level subjects
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal D3, M2, M2 - M2, M2, M2
D3 M2 M2 including M2 in Biology.
Or
M2 M2 M2 including M2 in Biology and a second science subject.
Acceptable second science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE Maths C (or 4), English Language or English Literature C (or 4).
Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BBD including A level Biology and one other science at grade B.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 88 | We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | B | We require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | C | We require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. |
| PTE Academic | 69 | We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| Institution's Own Test | Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). | |
| Trinity ISE | Merit | We require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element. |
Full list of acceptable English Language Tests http://www.reading.ac.uk/ad-EnglishTests.aspx
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.
We issue offers to best fit the different circumstances and experiences of our applicants. We take a tailored and holistic approach, considering extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. We recognise that some students are more likely than others to face barriers to fulfilling their academic potential at school, through no fault of their own. More information on our supportive offer making approaches can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/what-offer-will-i-get
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
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