Our four-year BSc Microbiology with a Year in Industry 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, with the opportunity to do a year-long, paid work placement as part of your degree.
Previous 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. It's a great opportunity to test out a career path that you're considering and many students are even offered a graduate-level job at the end of it. 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, keep your interests broad or even switch to another degree programme within the biosciences. 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, and you’ll get the chance to use cutting-edge equipment to run your own in-depth research projects.
Whether you choose to focus solely on microbiology, or study a range of topics across the molecular biosciences and beyond, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.
Whether you want to pursue a career in science, apply your skills in industry, or continue your studies, Sheffield biosciences graduates are highly sought after due to their specialist laboratory and field skills, ability to solve problems, handle and analyse data, and effectively communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences.
Our students secure roles with leading scientific organisations like GSK, AstraZeneca, Cancer Research, the Environment Agency, Wildlife Trusts, and the Natural History Museum. Transferable skills are embedded and developed throughout our degrees, which means year on year many of our graduates join top 100 employers like the BBC, Deloitte, the Civil Service, and the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. You can also apply your degree to other varied careers including bioinformatics, marketing and science communication, teaching and science policy. Some students go on to further study.
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology which shows employers that you've developed the practical skills and scientific knowledge that they're looking for.
Course Details - Modules
Modules are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 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:
C506
Institution code:
S18
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
including Biology and a second science
Second science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Psychology
+ AB at Advanced Higher including Biology and a second science
Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject: 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 credits at Distinction (to include Chemistry and Biology units), and 9 credits at Merit + Interview
in Applied Science + A at A Level in either Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Psychology + Interview
in a relevant EPQ + ABB at A Level including Biology and a second science
with 6, 5 in Higher Level Biology and a second science
(RQF) DDD in Applied Science (including modules in Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry and Practical Chemical Analysis, and no more than one of the following: Forensic Evidence Collection and Analysis, Forensic Fire Investigation or Forensic Traffic Collision Investigation) + Interview
(QCF) DD in Applied Science + A at A Level in either Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Psychology + Interview
including Biology and a second science
+ AA at A Level in Biology and a second science
To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
72%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
50%
Go onto work and study:
75%
Fees and funding
England
9250.0
Year 1
Northern Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
Scotland
9250.0
Year 1
Wales
9250.0
Year 1
International
25670.0
Year 1
Additional Fee Information
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
For further information, please see https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-funding/fees-costs
Provider information
Western Bank
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Career tips, advice and guides straight to your inbox.