Human Biology and Infectious Diseases with Foundation Year
Human biology and infectious diseases is a discipline that sits at one of the most important boundaries in modern medicine and public health: the interface between how the human body works and how pathogens, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, interact with it. Understanding infection at the molecular and cellular level, how the immune system recognises and responds to pathogens, how diseases spread through populations, and how antimicrobial treatments work and sometimes fail, is central to the challenges facing healthcare globally, from pandemic preparedness to antimicrobial resistance.
At the University of Salford, the foundation year for this part-time BSc (Hons) is designed for students who have a strong interest in human biology and infectious diseases but need to build the scientific background required for degree-level study. The foundation year provides essential grounding in biological principles, giving you the knowledge and skills to progress confidently into the honours degree. Throughout the programme you will develop understanding of human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, immunology, and the mechanisms by which infectious diseases arise and spread.
The part-time mode of study makes this programme accessible to students balancing education with work or other commitments, allowing you to build your qualifications at a pace that fits your life.
The combination of human biology and infectious disease gives you a genuinely interdisciplinary scientific education with direct applications in healthcare, public health, and biomedical research.
Graduates go on to careers in public health, clinical laboratory work, biomedical research, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and health education. Many pursue postgraduate study in microbiology, immunology, infectious disease, or public health, going on to research or specialist clinical and scientific roles. As infectious disease remains one of the most pressing challenges in global health, graduates with this combination of knowledge are increasingly valuable across healthcare and research settings.