MSci Medical Microbiology

From the very start of your degree, you’ll be learning by doing. You’ll combine innovative digital tools with real lab experience—practising techniques, building confidence, and gradually developing into an independent researcher. By your final year, you won’t just be running experiments—you’ll be designing projects, communicating results, and even exploring how scientific ideas can be turned into real-world solutions.

Here’s how your learning comes to life:

• eBiolabs Digital Lab Manual : An interactive online platform with simulations, pre-lab quizzes, and video tutorials. It helps you prepare thoroughly before each lab session so that when you step into the lab in Years 1 and 2, you’re confident and ready to apply your skills.
• Teaching & Research Laboratories : You’ll gain experience in state-of-the-art labs inside the Biomedical Sciences Building. Here, you’ll work on practicals in microbiology, pathology, immunology, and biochemistry—giving you a solid foundation across key biomedical disciplines.
• Year 3 Research Project or Grant Proposal : In your third year, you’ll either design a grant proposal or carry out your own research project in specialist research labs. This is where you start applying everything you’ve learned to authentic scientific questions.
• Final-Year Extended Research & Enterprise Training : Your final year takes things up a notch. You’ll lead a substantial research project, polish your communication skills, and explore how discoveries in science can be translated into innovations or commercial opportunities—bridging the gap between lab work and real-world impact.

Graduates of the MSci Medical Microbiology programme step confidently into careers where they can make a real difference—whether that’s as a Clinical Microbiologist, Infectious Disease Researcher, Public Health Specialist, or even a Policy Advisor in Life Sciences. The combination of deep scientific expertise, hands-on research, and enterprise-focused training ensures you’re not just prepared for the future—you’re ready to shape it.

Here’s how Bristol helps you make that transition:

• Careers and Employability Services : From one-on-one career coaching and CV workshops to employer networking events like the Life Sciences Careers Fair, you’ll have plenty of guidance to map out your next steps. You’ll also access internships, job-search tools via mycareer, and continued support long after graduation.
• University–Industry Connections : While the MSci Medical Microbiology programme doesn’t list specific placement partners, the School of Life Sciences has strong ties with global names such as Eli Lilly and Syngenta. These collaborations fuel research, spin-outs, and innovation, and help create exciting pathways into industry.
• Employability Reputation : Bristol ranks 7th in the UK for graduate employability and 49th globally (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Employers recognise the value of your degree, and the skills you gain will make you stand out in a competitive job market.
• Graduate Outcomes : Around 79% of biosciences graduates are working in highly skilled jobs within 15 months of finishing their degree. Even better, most report their work is meaningful and aligns closely with their future ambitions.
• Professional Edge : An MSci qualification gives you more than just advanced lab skills—it combines research-led teaching, practical training, and enterprise insight, giving you the confidence and credibility to thrive in research, biotech, clinical labs, public health, or science policy.

Further Study and Academic Progression

For those inspired to go deeper, this programme is also a strong launchpad for postgraduate study. Many graduates continue on to MSc or PhD programmes in fields such as infection biology, immunology, or translational research. The School’s thriving research culture and enterprise-driven approach provide the perfect environment to keep pushing boundaries and build a lasting career in science.