Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of organisms invisible to the naked eye: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the vast world of microscopic life that shapes almost every environment on earth. From the gut microbiome to antibiotic resistance, from industrial fermentation to the treatment of infectious disease, microbiology sits at the heart of some of the most pressing scientific challenges of our time. The discipline combines rigorous laboratory technique with conceptual thinking about how microbial life evolves, adapts, and interacts with its hosts and environments.

At Nottingham Trent University, this programme includes a foundation year, making it accessible to students who are coming to university science with a different academic background or who need to build their confidence in biology and chemistry before entering the main degree. The full programme runs across four years in total. You will study microbial genetics, immunology, virology, cell biology, and the techniques of modern molecular biology.

Laboratory sessions are a significant part of the experience, and you will develop practical skills that are directly applicable in professional scientific settings.

Microbiology graduates are in demand across a wide range of industries. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies employ them in research, development, and quality assurance. The NHS and public health sector recruit clinical microbiologists and infection control specialists.

Food and drink manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and agricultural science are further employment areas. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study, with Masters programmes in medical microbiology, infectious disease, or biotechnology being common choices. A PhD is the standard route into academic or senior industrial research.

The combination of practical laboratory skills and scientific understanding makes microbiology graduates adaptable across the life sciences.