2024 entry
BSc Medical Microbiology (C521)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAB
A-level contextual offer: BBB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
3 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Intercalation
Current medical, dental or veterinary science students can apply for entry onto the third year of this course.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£31,300 per year, international students
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
In your first year you will gain a broad understanding of biomedical science and take units in microbiology and diseases caused by microorganisms. In addition to learning about the immune system, you will also study pathology and biochemistry.
In year two you will study the cellular and molecular basis of human diseases caused by microorganisms, such as shigella and tuberculosis, and viruses including SARS-CoV-2. As well as learning about the immune response to a variety of infectious microbes, you will investigate how bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance.
Our eBiolabs online resources will help you prepare for practical laboratory sessions in the first and second year.
In your final year you will take infection units and an optional unit. You will also undertake a research project or scientific dissertation working in a research or teaching laboratory within the Biomedical Sciences Building or in one of the hospitals. Your work may even be published in scientific literature.
The four-year BSc Medical Microbiology with Study in Industry is available via transfer after securing a placement during your second year.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
AAB including Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
A-level contextual offer
BBB including Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
BTEC
DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsCore science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
International Baccalaureate Diploma
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 (in any order) at Higher Level in Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5, 5 at Higher Level in Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
European Baccalaureate
80% overall, with 8.0 in Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB (in any order) in Chemistry and another science/mathematics subject, and Standard Higher: AAABB
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) from Chemistry units and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) from units in another science
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics and Further Mathematics
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile E qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: