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Want to be at the forefront of scientific research into microbes and their role in developing new medicines, tackling diseases, and improving the environment?

At Northumbria, we offer Microbiology as an individual discipline, giving you the opportunity to study part-time and develop specialist knowledge and break new ground as a scientist.

Gain hands-on, immersive experience, in high tech facilities, working alongside leading academics. Advance your expertise in clinical and environmental microbiology, studying how viral and bacterial diseases work and how you can use microbes to create new medicines.

You’ll cover microbial taxonomy, bioinformatics and molecular biology, using bacteria and viruses to develop new technologies and substances through data analysis and genome sequencing.

With opportunities to develop your theoretical knowledge, advance your own research, and increase your profile through articles and publications, this course equips you for further PhD study or for a career in microbiology.   

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
2 years Part Time
1 other options available

Department
Applied Sciences

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

Videos / Microbiology

Watch Programme Leader Dr Amanda Jones discuss this Masters in a Minute (or so), and listen to Nicola talk about her experience as a student on the course.

Course leader Amanda Jones give us an introduction to the Microbiology MSc here at Northumbria University. Find out more about the course here: northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/microbiology-dtfmgy6/

Meet Nicola Cowley, a Masters student studying Microbiology MSc at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Hear Nicola's experience of her course, the opportunities it has presented to her, her experience of going from undergraduate to postgraduate student, and her aspirations after graduation. To find out more about the course, visit: northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/microbiology-dtfmgy6/ To see why postgraduate students choose Northumbria, visit: northumbria.ac.uk/the-hub/entries/why-northumbria-why-postgraduate/

Discover NU World / A virtual journey through everything Northumbria has to offer.

Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university blogs videos and articles.

Applied Science Pod Plan Living in Newcastle Your Life at Northumbria get involved at northumbria
Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships How to Apply Study Options

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honour degree in a science discipline, such as microbiology, cell biology or genetics.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

 *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

Full UK Fee: £9,700

Full International Fee: £20,950



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Laboratory equipment such as spatula, lab book, marker pens and a scientific calculator are required and should cost no more than £25. You may be required to print some documents this should be no more than £10 per academic year.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

How to Apply

Please use the Apply Now button at the top of this page to submit your application.

Certain applications may need to be submitted via an external application system, such as UCAS, Lawcabs or DfE Apply.

The Apply Now button will redirect you to the relevant website if this is the case.

You can find further application advice, such as what to include in your application and what happens after you apply, on our Admissions Hub Admissions | Northumbria University



Modules Overview 2025/26

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two

Year one

AP0700 -

Graduate Science Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your skills in the use and understanding of relevant literature and in both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn how to evaluate and contribute to the scientific literature and to interpret and disseminate scientific information. You will appreciate the desirable properties of research design and be able to select an experimental design appropriate to a given system and create the design matrix. You will learn how to assess the kinds of scientific data and tests of hypotheses and will be able to select, apply, and interpret the output from statistical methods of data analysis, and to evaluate the results of statistical analyses as applied to a given data set. Using contemporary science stories, you will develop scientific communication skills in systematic searching, summary writing and critical analysis of the underpinning primary research.

More information

AP0701 -

Molecular Biology (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn to evaluate recent developments in molecular biology in the context of the new techniques that have been developed, which will be assessed by an online test, demonstrate an ability to perform skilled laboratory techniques in a competent and safe manner, which is assessed by practical report, and evaluate laboratory results in the form of a scientific paper, which is assessed by practical report. You will also learn to demonstrate an awareness of the wider social and political implications of the topics covered in the module.

More information

AP0706 -

Microbes and Disease (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn about the impact of microbes (including viruses) on human health, with a particular emphasis on selected microbial diseases of major global significance. The emphasis is on furthering understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of microbial disease, with further consideration of how these relate to diagnosis, treatment and strategies for disease prevention. The module content will have strong links to the research expertise of the module team.
As indicative content, suitable topics will likely include the biology of some of the following diseases: tuberculosis and other major mycobacterial diseases (leprosy; buruli ulcer); streptococcal pathogens; malaria; HIV and Hepatitis C virus; cholera as a representative diarrhoeal disease; chlamydia as a major sexually transmitted disease and a cause of blinding trachoma; polymicrobial infections.

More information

AP0707 -

Microbial Diversity (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the importance of microbes in biotechnology, in particular organisms that produce therapeutic and commercially significant compounds. You will also learn about how viruses impact on the microbial communities in the environment and clinical setting. You will study in detail the diverse habitats that bacteria and viruses are isolated from such as deep-sea sediments, the Mir space station and desert sand, as well as the explorative techniques required for isolating bioactive microorganisms and the taxonomic approaches that are undertaken to characterise the producers of commercially significant products.
Underpinning theoretical concepts and principles will be covered in a lecture course that will be informed, illustrated and applied through a strong practical element. You will be trained in basic techniques that you will then have to utilise to solve ‘real life’ research project revolving around the selective isolation and identification of micro-organisms.

More information

Year two

AP0702 -

Bioinformatics (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the fundamental importance of bioinformatics to 21st century biology and how it is applied to the investigation of bacterial sequences. Topics include:
•Utilisation of databases for the analysis of nucleotide and amino-acid sequences, including introduction to the algorithms used in sequence alignment and sequence searching
•Practical experience of sequence analysis using freely available bioinformatics tools, looking at nucleotide, protein, and genome databases. These tools include BLAST, SWISS-Prot, PubMed, UCSC Genome Browser
•Microbial DNA sequencing and next-generation sequencing
•Genome annotation and analysis of SNPs.
•The importance of molecular phylogeny
•Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas
•Proteomics, covering protein structure analysis and identification of common motifs

More information

AP0703 -

Subject Exploration (Core,20 Credits)

This module allows you to explore a topic related to your Masters programme of your own choosing to an advanced level developing a critical appreciation of the methodologies, recent advances and future potential in that field. In doing so, you will develop and refine your research skills including information retrieval, evaluative, analytical, and problem solving skills together with group-based written and oral communication skills.

More information

AP0708 -

Applied Sciences Research Project (Core,60 Credits)

This module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project. Guided by a staff member, you will plan, carry out and report the outcomes of an independent research project to professional standards. You will identify stakeholders in your research and describe the projected impact your research holds for them. In order to prepare you for life as a research professional, assessments emulate authentic professional documentary formats aimed at securing project resources and disseminating your findings to ensure they develop real world impact.

More information

Modules Overview 2026/27

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two

Year one

AP0700 -

Graduate Science Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your skills in the use and understanding of relevant literature and in both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn how to evaluate and contribute to the scientific literature and to interpret and disseminate scientific information. You will appreciate the desirable properties of research design and be able to select an experimental design appropriate to a given system and create the design matrix. You will learn how to assess the kinds of scientific data and tests of hypotheses and will be able to select, apply, and interpret the output from statistical methods of data analysis, and to evaluate the results of statistical analyses as applied to a given data set. Using contemporary science stories, you will develop scientific communication skills in systematic searching, summary writing and critical analysis of the underpinning primary research.

More information

AP0701 -

Molecular Biology (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn to evaluate recent developments in molecular biology in the context of the new techniques that have been developed, which will be assessed by an online test, demonstrate an ability to perform skilled laboratory techniques in a competent and safe manner, which is assessed by practical report, and evaluate laboratory results in the form of a scientific paper, which is assessed by practical report. You will also learn to demonstrate an awareness of the wider social and political implications of the topics covered in the module.

More information

AP0706 -

Microbes and Disease (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn about the impact of microbes (including viruses) on human health, with a particular emphasis on selected microbial diseases of major global significance. The emphasis is on furthering understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of microbial disease, with further consideration of how these relate to diagnosis, treatment and strategies for disease prevention. The module content will have strong links to the research expertise of the module team.
As indicative content, suitable topics will likely include the biology of some of the following diseases: tuberculosis and other major mycobacterial diseases (leprosy; buruli ulcer); streptococcal pathogens; malaria; HIV and Hepatitis C virus; cholera as a representative diarrhoeal disease; chlamydia as a major sexually transmitted disease and a cause of blinding trachoma; polymicrobial infections.

More information

AP0707 -

Microbial Diversity (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the importance of microbes in biotechnology, in particular organisms that produce therapeutic and commercially significant compounds. You will also learn about how viruses impact on the microbial communities in the environment and clinical setting. You will study in detail the diverse habitats that bacteria and viruses are isolated from such as deep-sea sediments, the Mir space station and desert sand, as well as the explorative techniques required for isolating bioactive microorganisms and the taxonomic approaches that are undertaken to characterise the producers of commercially significant products.
Underpinning theoretical concepts and principles will be covered in a lecture course that will be informed, illustrated and applied through a strong practical element. You will be trained in basic techniques that you will then have to utilise to solve ‘real life’ research project revolving around the selective isolation and identification of micro-organisms.

More information

Year two

AP0702 -

Bioinformatics (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the fundamental importance of bioinformatics to 21st century biology and how it is applied to the investigation of bacterial sequences. Topics include:
•Utilisation of databases for the analysis of nucleotide and amino-acid sequences, including introduction to the algorithms used in sequence alignment and sequence searching
•Practical experience of sequence analysis using freely available bioinformatics tools, looking at nucleotide, protein, and genome databases. These tools include BLAST, SWISS-Prot, PubMed, UCSC Genome Browser
•Microbial DNA sequencing and next-generation sequencing
•Genome annotation and analysis of SNPs.
•The importance of molecular phylogeny
•Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas
•Proteomics, covering protein structure analysis and identification of common motifs

More information

AP0703 -

Subject Exploration (Core,20 Credits)

This module allows you to explore a topic related to your Masters programme of your own choosing to an advanced level developing a critical appreciation of the methodologies, recent advances and future potential in that field. In doing so, you will develop and refine your research skills including information retrieval, evaluative, analytical, and problem solving skills together with group-based written and oral communication skills.

More information

AP0708 -

Applied Sciences Research Project (Core,60 Credits)

This module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project. Guided by a staff member, you will plan, carry out and report the outcomes of an independent research project to professional standards. You will identify stakeholders in your research and describe the projected impact your research holds for them. In order to prepare you for life as a research professional, assessments emulate authentic professional documentary formats aimed at securing project resources and disseminating your findings to ensure they develop real world impact.

More information

Study Options

The following alternative study options are available for this course:

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

 

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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Get an insight into life at Northumbria at the click of a button! Come and explore our videos and 360 panoramas to immerse yourself in our campuses and get a feel for what it is like studying here using our interactive virtual tour.

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