One of only a few degrees in the country of its type and designed in consultation with local and regional employers, this degree provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of the fascinating world of bacteria and viruses, paying attention to microbes of medical importance.
This degree is a clear avenue of entry to a range of career paths with the potential to progress into a range of fields, from biotechnology and medical research to bioterrorism and climate change.
The course will start in September and will take two years, full-time to complete.
This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.
For 2025 entry, you will need 96 UCAS Tariff points.
Some typical examples of how you can achieve 48 UCAS Tariff points are detailed below:
Prior Learning and Experience
University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.
Additional Entry Requirements
All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Your interview is designed to be an informal meeting and will also provide an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.
Information for International Applicants
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.
| Validated By: |  |
|---|---|
| UCAS Code: | C500 |
| Institution Code: | S51 |
| Entry Requirements: | 96 UCAS Tariff Points |
| Programme Specification: | View Programme Specification here. |
| Programme Handbook: | Coming Soon |
| Programme Leader: | Paul Kowabnik – pkowabnik@sthelens.ac.uk |
| Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|
| Principles of Microbiology – BI4201 – 20 Credits | Food and Industrial Microbiology – BI5201 – 20 Credits |
| Basic Biochemistry – BI4202 – 20 Credits | Microbial Physiology – BI5202 – 20 Credits |
| Data Analysis – BI4203 – 20 Credits | Microbial Genetics – BI5203 – 20 Credits |
| Biology of Disease – PBI4204 – 20 Credits | Medical Microbiology – BI5204 – 20 Credits |
| Microbiological Laboratory Techniques – BI4205 – 20 Credits | Work-based Learning – BI5205 – 20 Credits |
| Parasitology – BI4206 – 20 Credits | Project – BI5206 – 20 Credits |
You will have access to specialist microbiology facilities located at our Town Centre Campus, providing you with the best learning environment.
The work-based learning module will be undertaken in a professional setting allowing you to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired from the course to a practical setting. In addition to lab-based study, you will also have the opportunity to go on industrial-based visits, allowing you to observe microbiology in practice.
You will undertake both formative and summative assessments including presentations, case studies, essay plans, and question and answer sessions. You will also be assessed through essays, exams, laboratory assignments and portfolios of work.
Additional Costs
| Course-Related Travel (Placements/Work Experience/Voluntary/Site Visits | Variable dependent on the distance travelled and the method of transportation. |
|---|---|
| Materials | Core texts and reading lists should generally be available in the St Helens Town Centre Campus Library or University of Chester Library. However, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source. Estimated cost is £30 per year for printed materials in relation to coursework submissions such as essays, projects etc. A list of University Centre St Helens’ printing costs can be found via www.sthelens.ac.uk/the-print-room. |
| Equipment | Students may wish to purchase their own white laboratory coat. Estimated cost is £15 – £20 depending on the supplier. Students will provide their own day-to-day stationary items e.g. scientific calculator, pens, pencils, notebooks. |
| Trips | Estimated cost is £50 per year for various travel to laboratories and employers. Estimated cost is £200 for optional international study visit (subject to student numbers) including estimated £300 spending money. |
| Volunteering Opportunities for Personal Development | Variable depending on type of activity. |
Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England to cover the full cost of tuition fees, which means you don’t have to pay anything upfront and there’s nothing to pay back until you’re qualified and earning over £481 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year. You may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. Visit our finance support page for more information.
Study Enhancement Gift
All new, first year (level 4), full-time undergraduates studying a qualifying Foundation Degree, Bachelor’s Degree or Higher National Diploma at University Centre St Helens, will receive a non-repayable Study Enhancement Gift up to the value of £400. This could be a specific gift, such as a laptop, or subject specific equipment, extra qualifications or trips and visits.
For more information, visit our study enhancement gift page.
Upon completion of this Foundation Degree, you will have developed the skills needed for success in a wide range of microbiology roles across a variety of industries.
In recent years, graduates have gained employment with Jay Chemicals, Thermo Fisher Scientific, United Utilities and Precision Northwest.
As a graduate, you have the opportunity to progress into a range of careers, such as:
Successful graduates may choose to undertake the above roles or other roles in a wide range of areas, including the food industry, health and pharmaceuticals industry, cosmetic industry, environmental and waste industry, and fermentation and brewing industry.
£18k - £26k
£15k - £50k
£18k - £48k
£19k - £30k
£14k - £24k
£13k - £20k
