Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) MSc
Part of: Medicine and Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Analyse cutting-edge medical microbiology research, assess methodologies, and propose new ideas. Gain hands-on experience in a clinical microbiology laboratory, engage in collaborative discussions, and relate studies to real-world practices. Whether you are progressing from undergraduate study, or working around your existing role, this MSc will prepare you for your first role or allow you to progress into a new role in the field.
- Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
- Hands-on training in our purpose-built teaching laboratory
- Ideal if you aspire to a career in biomedical science, including middle or senior management within the NHS Pathology Service and commercial sector or biomedical science research
- Full-time students have the opportunity to attend research meetings within the Centre of Immunobiology
Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Whitechapel
- Fees
- Home: £15,250
Overseas: £29,950
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
Through the tools taught on this programme, you will be able to evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in medical microbiology, evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses.
Full-time students continuing their studies will expand on the knowledge developed at undergraduate level, to prepare you for a career in the field of biomedical science and medical microbiology.
Part-time students who are studying around their current work commitments will develop the knowledge needed to progress in the field and enter a new, more advanced role in the field.
Practical classes are taught in the purpose-built teaching laboratory, which is based on a routine clinical microbiology laboratory and has received an award for sustainability. They are designed to give you invaluable hands-on experience, particularly in basic clinical microbiology. You will also be encouraged to relate current workplace practices to your studies, discuss and critically evaluate these techniques with class members, and undertake an active role in independent study outside of the classroom.
Additional theoretical tutorials are also used throughout the year to broaden your experience of biomedical science. These tutorials include case presentations to and by students, workshops, discussion sessions, question-and-answer sessions, and oral presentations.
This course can also enhance the career prospects of those aspiring to middle and senior management positions within the NHS Pathology Service and commercial sector.
Structure
- Seven compulsory modules
- One non-credit formative studies module for full-time students
- 15,000-word project/dissertation
Compulsory/Core modules
As a full time student, you will attend additional formative studies during your year on the course, to enable you to integrate with the part time (day release) students. These studies include Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions, tutorials, additional practical sessions, and attendance at relevant journal clubs and research seminars. We aim to support you so you can participate fully during the in-class discussions with part time students, who can reflect on their work place experiences. You will be supported in developing an understanding of principles and practice of microbiology and infection control within the NHS, UK and global perspective (please note, this is not a work placement). You will do this with the use of tutorials, practical classes and additional assignments. As a full time student, you must attend the teaching on this module. The majority of the module teaching is provided during semester 1 (October-December).
This module will provide you with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the structure, mode of action and resistance mechanisms of antimicrobial agents. You will gain practical knowledge and experience of the laboratory determination of antimicrobial susceptibility and determining mechanisms of resistance.
In this module, you will cover all aspects of communicable disease control in the hospital and community. The module will introduce you to practical epidemiology with special reference to clinical microbiology and infectious disease in the community. You will focus on the relationship between the NHS, PHE, infection control teams, environmental health services and other relevant bodies in the UK. You will also study the surveillance, legislation and methods of control of hospital acquired infection. As well as looking at UK-wide systems you will also explore the worldwide public health issues, which have implications for public health in the UK.
The overall aim of the module is to ensure you have the underpinning knowledge of the importance of research, development and innovation across the NHS and in healthcare science in particular. Furthermore, it will provide you with the knowledge for the research project.
Throughout this module, you will study microbial infections of humans. We will explore the clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis, antimicrobial therapy and infection control issues of the microbial infections both theoretically and practically. You will study the infections by organ system, e.g. the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, and by looking at specialist patient groups, e.g. the immuno-compromised and paediatrics.
In this module, you will be introduced to the key concepts of laboratory management. You will study, reflect and critique good management practice legislation relevant to: ¿ Diagnostic laboratories ¿ Health and safety in the laboratory ¿ Development of standard operating procedures ¿ Quality assurance in the laboratory ¿ LEAN evaluation ¿ Audit processes You will learn methods of evaluation of new methods for use in the diagnostic laboratory. You will understand the concepts of standard operating procedure and quality assurance and, will develop the skills necessary to produce relevant documents for laboratories.
The overall aim of this module is for you to undertake research that shows originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret new information in a specialism of healthcare science. You will undertake an original piece of research involving the application of scientific investigations to one or more clinical situations.
This module offers you teaching and workshops covering the principles of molecular biology and the biology of bacteria, and explores the use of current molecular techniques in the research and diagnosis of infectious disease. You will also study the human immune system and the interaction of micro-organisms with the host immune system.
This module will provide a systematic overview of the major groups of bacteria and viruses which cause disease in humans and the principles of the laboratory identification of the organisms. Whilst focusing on the biology and identification of individual or groups of organisms, students will also be encouraged to consider aspects of pathogenesis, antimicrobial therapy, epidemiology, and infection control, including the roles of national and international reference services to consider the national and global epidemiology of the organisms.
This module will provide a systematic overview of the major groups of parasites and fungi which cause disease in humans and the principles of the laboratory identification of the organisms. Whilst focusing on the biology and identification of individual or groups of organisms, students will also be encouraged to consider aspects of pathogenesis, antimicrobial therapy, epidemiology, and infection control, including the roles of national and international reference services to consider the national and global epidemiology of the organisms.
Assessment
- 67% Modules
- 33% Dissertation
Modules are assessed by final written examinations and a series of in-course assessments. The in-course assessments consist of literature reviews, oral and poster presentations, practicals and written exams.
Dissertation
You will undertake an original piece of research involving the application of scientific investigations to one or more clinical situations. The research will show originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret new information in a specialism of healthcare science.
Teaching
The course aims to promote teaching and learning enriched by original scholarship and scientific research; encouraging students to become independent learners. Formal teaching comprises of lectures, workshops, practical classes and demonstrations. Many of the lectures are given by guest speakers who are acknowledged experts in their field from within the NHS, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) or are highly respected researchers. This ensures the course remains up to date and relevant to your future career and also enables you to develop a strong network of contacts.
Part-time students are encouraged to relate current practices in their workplace to their studies, to discuss and critically evaluate these techniques with their colleagues in light of their formal teaching.
The practical classes for both full-time and part-time students are taught in the purpose-built teaching laboratory, which is well equipped with all necessary materials and is based on a routine clinical microbiology laboratory.
You'll also be assigned a personal mentor, who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at Queen Mary.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
At Queen Mary you will have access to a number of advanced facilities, some of which are designated exclusively to postgraduate students. These include:
- the purpose-built microbiology teaching laboratory based on a routine clinical microbiology laboratory
- the Blizard Building's state of-the-art facilities including open-plan research laboratories, a 400-seater lecture theatre and several seminar rooms
- a Learning Resources Centre, open around the clock, with 200 networked PCs solely for the use of postgraduate students
- medical libraries located at the Royal London and St Bart's hospitals and at the Queen Mary Mile End campus
- research access to the British Library, Senate House Library and Copac
- Apocrita — Queen Mary’s state-of-the-art High Performance Computing facility
- Think Pod — an interactive collaboration space with presentation, recording and video conferencing facilities
About the Institute
Blizard Institute
The Blizard Institute is the largest institute of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Our research and education span broad areas of modern biomedicine, with particular expertise in cell biology, genomics, immunology, neuroscience, primary care, population health and trauma sciences.
Our research puts Queen Mary joint seventh in the UK (REF 2021). We work closely with linked NHS hospital trusts which means that the School’s research and teaching is informed by an exceptionally wide-ranging and stimulating clinical environment.
Barts Health NHS Trust is home to:
- One of the capital's leading trauma and emergency care centres in the UK (approaching 1,000 attendances daily)
- Europe’s largest Trauma Centre
- Europe’s busiest Heart Centre.
Queen Mary University is also part of the prestigious Russell Group - a body of leading UK universities dedicated to research and teaching excellence.
Career paths
Students of this course have gone on to work at the NHS, Health Services Laboratories, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Medical Health Care Regulatory Agency, and Singapore General Hospital.
They are working in roles such as Medical Laboratory Assistant, Healthcare Scientist, Biomedical Scientist, Trainee Biomedical Scientist, Senior Biomedical Scientist, and Associate Practitioner.
Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20 and 2020/21
Please note: Completion of this postgraduate degree will not fulfil the education criteria for State Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Please check with the appropriate bodies that the course you plan to follow will be suitable for any professional accreditation you may require.
- 96% of Blizard Institute postgraduate-taught graduates are in employment or further study (2020/21)
- 98% of Blizard Institute postgraduate-taught graduates are in highly skilled work or graduate study (2020/21)
- £47k is the median UK salary of Blizard Institute postgraduate-taught graduates (2020/21). 87% earn above this.
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £15,250
- Overseas: £29,950
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: £7,800
- Overseas: £15,000
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in Biomedical Science.
Other routes
Alternative qualifications and relevant work based experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are normally indicated by an English band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. However, this course does not follow the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences standard English language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes.
For the English language requirements for this course, see programmes with non-standard English language requirements in this School.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.