Microbiology BSc (Hons)
Aberystwyth University
Student rating
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( 4.4) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

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Location

Main Site (Aberystwyth)

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Main Site (Aberystwyth)

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Biological Sciences
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A level
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UCAS Tariff
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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EU
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Course info

Microbiologists study bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and their role in infectious diseases, humans, other animals and plants. You will also learn how microorganisms contribute to environmental nutrient cycling, brewing, food, and biotechnology industries. This three year Bachelor of Science honours degree in Microbiology allows you to develop the scientific and analytical skills demanded in a broad range of professions. You will be taught by passionate teaching staff who conduct research in all ...Read more

Microbiologists study bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and their role in infectious diseases, humans, other animals and plants. You will also learn how microorganisms contribute to environmental nutrient cycling, brewing, food, and biotechnology industries. This three year Bachelor of Science honours degree in Microbiology allows you to develop the scientific and analytical skills demanded in a broad range of professions. You will be taught by passionate teaching staff who conduct research in all areas of microbiology and have access to our fantastic bio-imaging and microscopy suite, modern laboratories and fermentation facilities. You will also benefit from having access to our range of farms and woodlands for studying microbes that impact on animal health and the environment. You will be studying at a university that strives to create an exceptional student experience. The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact. You will be assigned a personal tutor who can guide you through your time at Aberystwyth and help you to settle in when you first arrive. We have invested heavily and over a number of years in our research facilities, and project students may get the opportunity to work in the research units on Penglais, or in our dedicated research facility at Gogerddan just outside Aberystwyth. In your first year, you will explore a wide range of topics from Biochemistry to Animal Diversity, from Microbial Diversity to Vegetation and Ecosystems. These are all designed to give you a firm footing in your second and third years and allow you to try out topics you might never have considered before. There is a wide range of modules on offer in years two and three, more so than in any other scheme we offer. In these years you can specialise, perhaps taking a more molecular or environmental route choosing modules such as Applied Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics or Ecological Surveying. On the other hand, you can keep your options open by mixing and matching topics like Biochemistry and Pharmacology with Population and Community Ecology.Our students leave Aberystwyth University with skills including; research and data analysis skills, enhanced mathematical and computational skills, effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills; a thorough grounding in information technology skills; the ability to work independently, time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines; the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form; self-motivation and self-reliance and team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement.


Our graduates are strong candidates in the following fields:

Research scientist, Clinical molecular geneticist, Nature conservation officer and Education. Students who have completed a biology degree could also progress to further training in Dentistry, Medicine and Science writing.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
32/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
51st
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
42nd
Microbiology and Cell Science
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Microbiology and Cell Science graduate salary at this uni
£17,000
UK Microbiology and Cell Science graduate salary
£19,000
What students say
M
Mia
25 Sep 24

Uni is good! However the library is no longer 24 hours and this could impact students work ethic..Read more

E
Ewan
16 Jul 24

Lovely..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BCC - BBB Grades / Points required

UCAS Tariff:

104 - 120 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

28 - 30 Grades / Points required

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

DDD - DDM Grades / Points required

To include B in A-level Biology.

For BTEC applicants, the Applied Science route is required for this course. Alternative biology based Level 3 courses may be considered.

To include 5 points in Biology at Higher Level.

In a specified subject.

Popular A-level subjects

Microbiology and Cell Science

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Biology
88%
Chemistry
41%
Geography
24%
Mathematics
24%
Psychology
21%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£20,715 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£20,715 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£20715 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Microbiology reviews

Microbiology
Microbiology
M
Mia
25 Sep 24
Microbiology BSc (Hons)
Uni is good! However the library is no longer 24 hours and this could impact students work ethic...
Read more
E
Ewan
16 Jul 24
Microbiology MBiol
Lovely...
Read more
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How Microbiology students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 20 reviews
5 star
30%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
20%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 1,846 reviews
5 star
49%
4 stars
42%
3 stars
8%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth University , Wales

Aberystwyth University offers an excellent university experience and is consistently ranked amongst the best universities in the UK....

Student rating
( 4.4) View reviews
CUG ranking
42nd
Aberystwyth University
Penglais Campus Penglais Road Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 3DD United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Aberystwyth  0.4 miles away

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