Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology MSc
- Biomedical science, cancer biology and microbiology
- Postgraduate
Whether you want to pursue a biomedical or research career, this Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology MSc course will equip you with the in-depth knowledge and skills you need to succeed. In particular, you'll gain in-depth understanding of both the global and public health implications of microbial disease.
Gain an understanding of the pathology, diagnosis and control of infectious diseases
Learn from practising biomedical scientists and visit specialist laboratories to enhance your knowledge of the working environment.
This course is delivered by the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry. From biological and biomedical sciences, chemistry and forensic science to pharmacy, pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences, the school offers a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
We've invested heavily in the development of new facilities, including laboratories for teaching and research to provide you with access to ultra-modern equipment. As part of this course, postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
The University has extensive links with leading healthcare and research laboratories, such as GlaxoSmithKline, the Institute of Cancer Research and local hospitals. Our links with industry provide a practical base for our courses. They also help us to ensure your studies are kept up to date and relevant to the workplace.
Doing my Biomedical Science masters at Kingston University was a steep learning curve. Not only did the course change my outlook on the subject matter, it changed my perspective on life as a whole and has taught me some core values through academia that I have carried on into life.
Why choose this course
Our Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology MSc course will help you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the organisms at play in existing and emerging pathogens. You will also explore diagnostic techniques.
The taught modules will introduce you to the fundamentals of microbial pathogenesis. There will also be a large focus on host-pathogen interactions, as well as the control and treatment of microbial infections. You will explore emerging infectious diseases and global health concerns, alongside strategies for disease control and prevention.
During your time at Kingston, the course will offer guidance and preparation for your future IBMS registration. In addition, an extended laboratory research project will enable you to pursue an area of interest in depth, which can be an excellent selling point when looking for a job.
Practising expert biomedical scientists are an integral part of the teaching team and ensure that the programme content reflects current practice. Academic staff in the Faculty are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies. They also provide the opportunity for involvement in internationally-recognised research.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Graduates can apply to the IBMS for consideration for admission as Members of the Institute.
Course content
This programme comprises four taught modules, plus an extended research project where you have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and develop competencies in advanced laboratory techniques.
Core modules will familiarise you with the theoretical and practical aspects of molecular medicine used in research and hospital laboratories, the molecular basis of immunological mechanisms, cellular mechanisms of disease, physiological manifestations and implications to public health. You will learn about the principles and practice of laboratory management in biomedical science, and you will acquire the skills required for researching and communicating in biomedical science. You will also study modules in your specialist route. In addition to subject-specific knowledge, the course aims to develop your communication and other skills.
To provide our students with the best learning experience, allowing them to get the most out of their study time, the taught elements of our MSc course are typically delivered across two working days during the week.
In addition to the standard 12-month programme, we also offer the course as a two-year postgraduate programme with an optional integrated work placement component. This option is available for both international and full-time home/EU students of this course.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement.
Modules
Modules
Optional placement year
Professional placement
Career opportunities
Work placement scheme
This course, like many postgraduate courses at Kingston University, enables students to integrate a 12-month work placement into their course. You are responsible for finding and securing your own professional placement, which can be highly competitive but also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a Student Route visa.
We work with a variety of employers such as hospitals, community health care, NHS foundation trusts, academic publishers, and pharmaceutical companies. Many of which also offer professional experience opportunities for the students on this course.
Careers and recruitment advice
The University has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills. For example, CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques.
Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements. The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting.
Having been able to tap into different aspects of Biomedical Science, I'm leaving Kingston University with a greater interest to learn more and transfer my new knowledge and skills to different fields and professions. The course has broadened my horizons to career pathways I'd previously not considered, from specialised hospital settings to research, development and scientific marketing.
Teaching and assessment
A wide range of assessments are provided in the programmes. Assessments can be either formative or summative, the formative assessments being designed to provide students with the opportunity to practice assignments and receive feedback as a form of ‘feed-forward' for the summative assessments.
Assessments are designed to assess advanced skills and evaluation of information. In addition to formal examinations, coursework assessment formats are varied in nature and include written reports and essays, poster and oral presentations, a research proposal and in-class tests. They are often authentic in nature, designed around problem-solving exercises and case studies to develop students' research abilities and critical thinking. The research project, which comprises one third of the programme, is designed as a ‘capstone' project and aims to give students the opportunity to use and synthesise the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their degree.
Fees and funding
Fees for future course years
Part time
If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.
If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Apply for this course
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
If the postgraduate admissions tutor requires further information or wishes to invite you to further assessment by interview they will contact you directly. You will then hear whether your application has been successful.
If you do not clearly meet the standard entry requirements and the admission tutor wishes to see a portfolio from you, you will be sent an email asking you to upload your portfolio to your Kingston University OSIS account. Further details on how to do this will be provided at the time.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
As a group, the lecturers at Kingston challenged us and encouraged us to challenge them in return. This and the diversity within the class created a proactive, dynamic atmosphere where information and ideas flowed freely and productively. We were inspired and motivated by lecturers that made studying a pleasure.
The Biomedical Science MSc programme at Kingston University is designed to challenge the student, not only academically but also on a personal level. The practical sessions, assessments and research project encouraged me to think critically, creatively and more broadly about the material, while I was also required to reflect on my own approach, abilities and experience. This allowed me to gain valuable insight on how I could improve upon, and apply, my skillset.
I used the opportunity to fully explore and understand the vastness of the field of science and what it has to offer a person like me. The academics at Kingston University were nothing short of approachable, kind and helpful, and have significantly contributed towards my success in my masters degree. The lessons I picked up will stay with me for life and I am beyond grateful for the experience.
