Medical Biosciences

Medical biosciences with a microbiology specialism is a discipline concerned with the microorganisms that cause disease and the mechanisms through which they do so. Infectious diseases remain among the most significant causes of death and suffering globally, and the extraordinary diversity of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and the remarkable mechanisms they have evolved to evade and exploit the human immune system, make microbiology one of the most intellectually fascinating areas of biomedical research. Understanding these mechanisms is fundamental to developing vaccines, antimicrobials, and immunotherapies.

At the University of Leicester, this four-year MBiolSci programme extends a medically specialised BSc into a fourth year of masters-level study, deepening your research and laboratory skills alongside your specialist knowledge. The programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, making it particularly rich in terms of the professional and international experience available alongside the core academic content. You will study infectious disease biology, immunology, clinical microbiology, molecular methods in pathogen detection and research, and the public health dimensions of infection control and epidemiology.

The masters-level fourth year provides an extended research project that develops the independent scientific thinking and advanced laboratory skills that distinguish a masters-level qualification.

You will develop skills in experimental design, microbiological techniques, molecular biology, data analysis, and scientific writing, working with research-active faculty at a university with a strong track record in biomedical research.

Graduates from medical biosciences with microbiology programmes pursue careers in pharmaceutical research, clinical microbiology laboratories, public health agencies, vaccine development, regulatory science, and academic research. The integrated masters qualification is valued in research-intensive roles. Postgraduate study at doctoral level is a natural next step for those pursuing academic or industrial research careers.