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Microbiology with Professional Experience (MSci)

  • Msci (Hon)
  • 5 Years
  • Full-time
  • 10/2025
  • Undergraduate
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More about University of Reading

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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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

  • 10/2025

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

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

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5We 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)88We 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 AdvancedBWe require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCWe require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.
PTE Academic69We 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 TestTest 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 ISEMeritWe 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

Learn more on the University of Reading 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
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£29950Year 1
International£29950Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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