Program Overview

This four-year microbiology course explores the fundamental role these tiny organisms play in the world. You'll study the importance of bacteria, viruses and other microbes in the environment and as pathogens, and you’ll have the opportunity to do a year-long, paid work placement as part of your degree.

Our students have found placements at global pharmaceutical companies such as GSK, Pfizer and Unilever, but your placement doesn't have to be in the lab. You could apply your scientific knowledge and transferable skills within or outside of the bioscience industry in areas including market research, communications or business development. A placement is a great opportunity to test out a career path and many students are offered a graduate-level job at the end. You'll pay reduced fees for the year you're on placement and you'll still have the support you need from your tutor and the University.

During your time at Sheffield you’ll also discover how we can manipulate the genetic makeup of microbes to put them to good use in biotechnology, how we can tackle the threat of antimicrobial-resistant infections, and the role that microbiology continues to play in supporting the global response to pandemics such as Covid-19.

From your first year you’ll study modules that span the molecular biosciences covering microbiology, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology. Alongside these modules you’ll have the freedom to explore complementary topics across the breadth of bioscience, such as biomedicine, ecology, plant science and zoology. This flexibility allows you to study microbiology in greater depth, broaden your interests or even switch to another biosciences degree programme. No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop the practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.

We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals across molecular genetics, DNA manipulation and protein structure analysis. You’ll get the chance to use cutting-edge equipment to run your own in-depth research projects.