What you need to know about studying microbiology at Surrey

In microbiology some of the biggest answers can be found in the smallest places. Discover how you’ll develop your skills at Surrey.

We put theory into practice

At Surrey, we make sure practical work is an integral part of your studies, and you’ll benefit from hands-on learning in our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory.

Your time in our facilities will give you the opportunity to analyse the genetic makeup of different types of microbes, investigate biological principles of antibiotic resistance, and use specialist computer software to model microbiological systems and metabolic pathways.

We’re a community of leading academics

You’ll be taught by lecturers who are leading researchers in their fields, including biotechnology, clinical bacteriology, and virology. We have a research-led focus to our teaching and ensure you learn the same contemporary methodologies microbiologists are using around the world.

I chose Surrey because of the modules that were offered, which focused on microbiology from year 1. I’m more than happy with the choice I made! Katja Tobben

We provide unique access to the world of work

Our Professional Training placements give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge to the workplace and gain valuable experience in the areas of microbiology you're passionate about. You can choose to work for a range of employers including pharmaceutical organisations, public health bodies, and biotechnology companies.

You can even take your placement abroad. We have an extensive number of partner institutions that exclusively welcome Surrey students, giving you access to research laboratories across the world. In recent years, our students have taken international placements in countries including Australia, Canada, and the USA.

One of the highlights of my placement at GlaxoSmithKline was the additional skills I didn’t expect to learn in a lab-based setting, such as procurement, project management, event planning and EHS engagement. Megan Edwards, Microbiology BSc

We're focused on your future

We’ve developed our course to give our students the best opportunity for a successful career. In fact, 93% of our biosciences and medicine graduates are in full-time employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA), with recent alumni working for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Sanofi and Procter & Gamble.

Find out more about our Microbiology BSc