About the course
In 2019, WHO listed high-threat pathogens, influenza pandemic, antimicrobial resistance and vaccine hesitancy among the ten top threats to global health. In 2020, the world suffered the profound effects of the novel SARS-CoV2 virus. There has never been a more compelling time to become a skilled professional in microbiology.
These global threats highlight the need for highly trained professionals who fully understand the role of micro-organisms in public health. This Master’s course focuses on the science of micro-organisms and the range of strategies employed for public health protection including epidemiology; public health intelligence; vaccination; antimicrobial chemotherapy; diagnostic microbiology; and outbreak investigation.
Why choose this course?
- Study microorganisms that impact on health and disease, focusing on diagnosis, epidemiology and control of infectious disease
- Explore how developments in molecular biology have altered diagnosis of infectious disease, and impacted on outbreak investigation and management
- Learn about current practice and new developments in vaccines and antimicrobial chemotherapy
- Consider the challenges faced by efforts to eradicate specific infectious disease
- Gain practical experience in planning, conducting and evaluating library- and laboratory-based scientific research
- Explore how public health policy and practice impacts on our wellbeing and safety
- Undertake a challenging microbiology research project or public health dissertation, enabling you to consider a particular topic in detail
- Benefit from a course that prepares you for a career in pharmaceutical or biotechnological industries; the health sector including the NHS and public health; and academic research
We train you to critically study and apply understanding of microbiology to global public health issues. You benefit from excellent new science facilities and are supported by experts, so you develop professional and transferable skills relevant to a range of careers in different sectors. Come and join us!
Course Leader - Dr Anna Furmanski
I joined the School of Life Sciences in March 2015 from University College London (UCL), where I was a Senior Research Associate and Fellow.
Prior to this I undertook my postdoctoral training at Imperial College London and UCL. I completed my PhD (Immunology) and MRes (Biomedical Sciences) degrees at Imperial College, and studied for my BSc (Clinical Sciences) with King’s College London.
I was born, raised and schooled in Luton and I enjoy working in my hometown!
Unit Information - What will I learn?
Units
- Control Of Infectious Disease (BHS022-6) Compulsory
- Epidemiology In Public Health (PUB002-6) Compulsory
- Microbiology And Public Health Research Methods (BHS026-6) Compulsory
- Microorganisms In Health And Disease (BHS024-6) Compulsory
- Molecular And Diagnostic Microbiology (BHS025-6) Compulsory
- Principles, Policies And Issues In Public Health (PUB017-6) Compulsory
- Public Health Protection (PUB008-6) Compulsory
How will I be assessed?
Assessment is integral in all units to check that you have met the threshold standards expected of all graduates. They are also linked to learning, designed to develop key subject specific and transferable skills for future employment. The requirements of each assessment will be detailed in a formal assessment brief document and discussed in teaching sessions. The Microbiology and public health research methods unit (BHS0YY-6), which has a single summative assessment, will be supported with an earlier formative submission to enable students to gain feedback on their initial progress as they develop their research proposal. Units that include an end of unit examination shall include a formative exam experience to prepare students. The assessment tasks will include: - End of unit examination (unseen written examinations); - Problem-based learning, based on case studies, with poster presentation of findings; - Formal public health reports and briefing papers - Laboratory notebook and laboratory reports; - Literature review; - Research proposal; Oral presentation.
Why Study in the School of Life Sciences?
- Specialist laboratories in new £40m STEM building
- 92% satisfaction with Biological Science, NSS 2020
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
You also need to have the required English language qualification
Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.
Entry Requirements
UK
Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.
EU
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
International
To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
You also need to have the required English language qualification
Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.
A good honours degree (lower second class or higher) in a relevant life science or health-related subject.
How will this course improve my career prospects?
This course prepares you for a career in pharmaceutical or biotechnological industries; the health sector including the NHS and public health; and academic research.
The high standard of teaching across the course content and laboratory project truly prepare you for either further studies in research or a work-oriented environment. The support offered throughout the course is also exceptional, to the point that - thanks to the knowledge and laboratory skills I acquired - I managed to secure a funded PhD position.
Fees and funding
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £8,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £8,250 per year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Scholarship Available
The Scholarship scheme for international students enrolling in the academic year 21/22 at one of our UK campuses is as follows:
- An automatic £1,000 Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for new international applicants (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A £500 Prompt Payment Discount for applicants who pay their first year fees in full, before or at registration (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A further £500 for applicants who are also University of Bedfordshire alumni
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees and funding
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £8,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
UK 2022/23
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
EU
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £8,250 per year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
EU 2022/23
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Scholarship Available
The Scholarship scheme for international students enrolling in the academic year 21/22 at one of our UK campuses is as follows:
- An automatic £1,000 Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for new international applicants (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A £500 Prompt Payment Discount for applicants who pay their first year fees in full, before or at registration (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A further £500 for applicants who are also University of Bedfordshire alumni
International 2022/23
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK
UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form
EU
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
International
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
