This BSc Applied Microbiology (Top-up), designed for students who have already completed a relevant level 5 qualification in a related subject including University Centre St Helens’ FdSc Applied Microbiology, is your gateway to understanding and harnessing the unseen forces that shape our health, environment, and industries.
With hands-on lab experience, research opportunities, and industry placements, you’ll graduate ready to lead in healthcare, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and beyond.
The course will start in September and will take two years, part-time to complete. You will attend the College, one day per week.
This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.
For 2026 entry, you will need 240 Credits.
Some typical examples of how you can achieve 240 Credits are detailed below:
Students who have completed their previous qualification at another institution will be required to undergo an APL (Accretion of Prior Learning) review by both University Centre St Helens and the University of Chester. This process ensures that the credits you have achieved are equivalent to those required for the progression on to this degree.
| Validated By: |  |
|---|---|
| UCAS Code: | C510 |
| Institution Code: | C601 |
| Campus: | Town Centre Campus |
| Entry Requirements: | Please see entry requirements section for more information. |
| Programme Specification: | Coming Soon |
| Programme Handbook: | This will be given out at the start of the programme |
| ProgrammeLeader: | Paul Kowabnik | pkowabnik@sthelens.ac.uk |
| Applied Medical Microbiology | 20 Credits |
| Applied Virology | 20 Credits |
| Applied Bioprocessing for Microbiology | 20 Credits |
| Work Based learning II | 20 Credits |
| Project Dissertation | 20 Credits |
For 2026 entry, tuition fees for part-time study are £4,250 per year.
| Course-Related Travel (Placements/Work Experience/Voluntary/Site Visits | Students are expected to undertake voluntary work experience as part of their course and should account for transport charges. |
|---|---|
| Equipment and Materials | Core texts and reading lists should generally be available in the St Helens Town Centre Campus Library or the University of Chester Library. However, students may prefer to buy their own copies, and these can be purchased from any source. These can be purchased from any source and estimated cost is £50-£100. Students will be expected to print various pieces of work, including a portfolio. Estimated cost is £20 per year for printed materials. A list of University Centre St Helens’ printing costs can be found via www.sthelens.ac.uk/the-print-room. |
| Trips | Estimated cost is £150 per year for various travel and entry costs to exhibitions and galleries. Estimated cost is £500 for optional international study visit (subject to student numbers) including estimated £300 spending money. |
| Volunteering Opportunities for Personal Development | Variable depending on the type of activity, but students are actively encouraged to undertake relevant work experience alongside their studies. |
The BSc Applied Microbiology (Top-up) provides excellent progression into employment, especially within pharmaceutical, medical, food environmental and waste and the brewing industries.
Previous graduates have either entered into employment in the above industries, undertaken a master’s and/or PhD in a related subject, have transferred to a Biomedical Science Degree, or have even progressed into teaching.
£18k - £26k
£15k - £50k
£18k - £48k
£19k - £30k
£14k - £24k
£13k - £20k
