Microbiology MBiol, BSc at University of Leeds

Microbiology is the study of organisms that are too small to be visible with the naked eye, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. This area of science is fundamental to the understanding of life on this planet – from human and animal disease, better food production and microbial involvement in global cycles.

You’ll study a range of microbiological topics, such as bacterial resistance to antibiotics, use of microbes in biotechnology, and how new pathogens such as the cause of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) emerge and cause disease.

You’ll develop your specialist knowledge, while building on foundations of molecular and cellular biology, with areas such as immunology, genetics, biochemistry and cell biology.

Career opportunities

As well as providing you with subject-specific knowledge, we aim to equip you with the best possible skills for a variety of future careers. All of our degrees have a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, small group teaching, online learning and problem solving.

Throughout the degree, you’ll gain a wide range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. Supported by the faculty student opportunity team, Leeds for Life scheme and your academic and personal tutor, you’ll be ideally placed to focus on your personal development and make the most of your time at university.

Given the huge importance of microorganisms to all aspects of our lives, microbiologists will always be in demand. Microbiology is an exciting, challenging and rewarding subject; it has a key role to play in the health and development of mankind.

Typical graduate careers include:

• Microbiologist

• Clinical Scientist

• Biomedical Scientist

• Forensic Scientist

• Graduate medicine/dentistry

Examples of recent graduate destinations include:

• PhD Biochemistry

• Diagnostic technician

• Product technology scientist

• Commercial analyst