Microbiology BSc (Hons)
University of Leeds
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3)

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
3 options available
academic-cap
Qualification

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

location-pin
Location

Main Site

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

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

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

SELECTED

Qualification

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

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

SELECT

Qualification

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

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

SELECT

Subjects

Select a subject


Biological Sciences
SELECTED

Exam type

Select a an exam type


A level
SELECTED

Scottish Advanced Higher
SELECT

Access to HE Diploma
SELECT

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
SELECT

Extended Project
SELECT

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
SELECT

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
SELECT

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

Course info

Microbiology is the study of organisms too small to be visible with the naked eye, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Your course will cover an area of science fundamental to the understanding of life on this planet – from human and animal disease, better food production to microbial involvement in global cycles.You will study a range of microbiological topics with a biomedical focus, such as bacterial resistance to antibiotics, the use of microbes in biotechnology, and how new pathogens, ...Read more

Microbiology is the study of organisms too small to be visible with the naked eye, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Your course will cover an area of science fundamental to the understanding of life on this planet – from human and animal disease, better food production to microbial involvement in global cycles.You will study a range of microbiological topics with a biomedical focus, such as bacterial resistance to antibiotics, the use of microbes in biotechnology, and how new pathogens, such as the cause of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), emerge and cause disease. These topics are at the heart of many global challenges and it is critical that the next generation of expert scientists are trained in these areas.You will develop your specialist knowledge, whilst building on the foundations of microbiology, with areas such as immunology, genetics, biochemistry and cell biology.This 3 year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training, subject to suitable academic performance and availability. You would study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project.


Course highlights:

- Weekly practical classes, with the option to experience working in a research lab in your final year.- Experience the cutting edge in a research-active environment with world-class facilities.- Perform a final year project at the frontier of modern research.- Gain further practical experience and boost your employability through our Year in Industry programme.- Build transferrable skills and employability with our skills-based teaching.- Extensive wellbeing and employability support from dedicated Faculty teams.- Outstanding graduate employability amongst top employers, both within and beyond scientific research.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
45/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
23rd
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
23rd
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 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Microbiology and Cell Science graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Microbiology and Cell Science graduate salary
£20,000

Modules

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

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Access to HE Diploma:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,D3,M1 Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 Grades / Points required

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

DDM Grades / Points required

BSc: AABMBiol: AAAIncluding biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded.We accept the following:• Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.• Science-related subjects: computing, environmental science, food science, geography, geology, PE, psychology, science in society, statistics, use of mathematics.Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement.When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or the Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ (BSc applicants) or AAB and grade A in the EPQ (MBiol applicants).

BSc: Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AB in 2 Advanced Highers including biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded.MBiol: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AA in 2 Advanced Highers including biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded.We accept the following:• Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.• Science-related subjects: PE, geography, use of mathematics, psychology, statistics, geology and computing.Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

BSc: Overall pass with 60 credits and a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, with distinctions in at least 30 graded level 3 graded at D39M6P0 including biology and chemistry units (15 units in each), and a merit in all the remaining graded credits.We accept Access courses in Applied Science. We will also consider (depending on subject content:)• biochemical sciences• biological and environmental science• biological and health science• biological sciences• biosciences• combined sciences• environmental science• life and biological science• life science• medical and health science professions• natural sciences• physical & natural sciences.MBiol: We do not accept Access to HE.

BSc: D3/D3/M1 including D3 in biology or chemistry plus one other science or science-related subject. Global Perspectives excluded.MBiol: D3/D3/D3 Including biology or chemistry plus another science or science-related subject. Global Perspectives excluded.When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (BSc applicants) or D3/D3/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (MBiol applicants).

Applicants offering an EPQ or IPQ qualification will receive a standard offer, as shown above, plus an alternative offer. The alternative offer would be ABB plus grade A in EPQ / IPQ. Subject specific requirements are still valid.

BSc: 34 (with 17 at higher level) including 6 in higher level biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject at higher level.MBiol: 35 (with 18 at higher level) including 6 in higher level biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

BSc: H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 including H2 in biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject at higher level.MBiol: H2,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2 including biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

BSc: BTEC extended diploma entry requirements: DDM plus A/B in A-level biology or chemistry (subject requirements may depend on the subject applied for and the BTEC subject).MBiol: We do not accept BTEC qualifications.

Popular A-level subjects

Microbiology and Cell Science

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

Biology
93%
Chemistry
58%
Mathematics
57%
Physics
19%
Geography
15%
HESA

Uni info

University of Leeds
Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Leeds  0.6 miles away
Thinking of studying in Leeds?

Check out our

Leeds city guide

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate