Molecular Microbiology MRes
- Study mode and duration
- Course code
- 4828F
- Fees (per year)
- Typical entry requirements
-
View full entry requirements - Course delivery
- On Campus
Course information for entry year:
Overview
Explore key fundamentals of molecular microbiology, development of novel antimicrobial treatments and the complexity of host-microbe interactions.
Our Molecular Microbiology MRes is for graduates with a BSc in life sciences or related disciplines. It is also suitable for intercalating and qualified MBS and BDS students.
You will develop your own bespoke course and alongside two compulsory Molecular Microbiology modules select one additional module from our extensive range of taught modules. You'll then undertake a 24-week research project in one of our Faculty's microbiology laboratories.
Our teaching is research-informed. Course content changes to reflect developments in:
- the discipline
- student feedback
The Molecular Microbiology MRes is closely linked to a suite of MRes courses that you may also be interested in:
- Ageing and Health MRes
- Animal Behaviour MRes
- Biomedical Informatics MRes
- Biotechnology and Business Enterprise MRes
- Cancer MRes
- Applied Cardiovascular Biology: Molecules to Medicine MRes
- Clinical Exercise Physiology MRes
- Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine MRes
- Epidemiology MRes
- Immunobiology MRes
- Medical Genetics MRes
- Medical and Molecular Biosciences MRes
- Metabolism in Health and Disease MRes
- Molecular Cell Biology and Cell Signalling in Health and Disease MRes
- Neuroscience MRes
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells MRes
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics MRes
- Transplantation MRes
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
Professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by professional bodies to ensure they meet the latest industry practices and regulatory standards. This keeps your degree rigorous, relevant, and highly valued by employers, providing a clear pathway into your chosen career.
If you are studying an accredited degree and considering a career in Europe after graduation, it is important to stay informed about international standards. The best resource for current information is the UK Government's guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states.
This official resource provides essential details on:
- whether your profession is regulated in another country.
- the specific steps you need to take to practice abroad.
- which organisations you should contact to begin the process.
Our students
What you'll learn
You'll study subject-specific content in Molecular Microbiology reflecting the academic expertise within Newcastle University. This will include information on the key processes of cell division and gene expression, antibiotic action and the identification of potential new antibiotic targets. Complementing this will be information on beneficial and detrimental outcomes of host-microbe interactions with respect to human health.
You'll add to these modules from a broad range of complementary options. You'll also have training in general research principles, professional and key skills.
Your 24-week research project comprises the major element of the course and will be chosen from projects provided by expert supervisory teams within the Faculty.
Watch our introduction to MRes Research Project
Modules
The module information on our course pages is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Molecular Microbiology | 20 |
| Human Health and the Impact of Microbial Genomics | 20 |
| MRes Project | 110 |
| Research Skills and Principles for the Biosciences | 10 |
You must pass one of the following modules:
- Molecular Microbiology (20 credits)
- Human Health and the Impact of Microbial Genomics (20 credits)
Additional optional module information
Surgical Anatomy is only open to intercalating medical students.
Some combinations of modules may not be available due to timetabling constraints. In exceptional circumstances the running of some modules may be determined by student demand.
How you'll learn
You'll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- group work
The research project will include:
- research supervision (at least two supervisors)
- training in research techniques needed for your specific project
- lectures to prepare you for submitting project-related assessments
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- PC examination
- Practical lab report
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Written examination
- Written exercise
You'll have a range of assessments. These will vary depending on the optional modules you choose to study. Assessment methods may include:
- essay
- critical appraisal
- oral presentation
- written examination
- project design
- graphical abstract or a problem-solving exercise
MRes Research Project
You'll choose from projects that relate to your MRes title. Proposals of projects are from academic supervisors within the University.
The 24-week research project will begin in your second semester.
You'll complete guided but independent original research. You'll develop skills in:
- planning
- executing
- recording research
- data interpretation and analysis
You'll complete a written dissertation, lay abstract, oral presentation and poster. The project dissertation and poster will be marked internally and by an expert from another Institution.
Previous titles for MRes projects have included:
- Chemical genetics approach to find antibiotic inhibitors of an essential bacterial enzyme
- Staphylococcus aureus colonisation of the cystic fibrosis lung
At the end of each academic year, we hold an MRes poster presentation evening. You'll showcase your research to your peers and the extended academic community.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Your development
You'll develop a range of research, data handling and practical laboratory skills dependent on the nature of the modules you study and project you undertake.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2027 entry.
Our entry requirements and other information will be finalised in September 2026.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
Your future
This MRes can be a pathway for a career in scientific research in academia and industry. It is also excellent preparation for a PhD.
Careers
Graduates from the Faculty of Medical Sciences MRes at Newcastle have undertaken a wide range of roles. This includes:
- project manager
- research associate
- associate consultant
- senior analysts
- research scientist
- Marie Curie early stage researcher
- clinical research associate
- medical information and patient safety executive
- medical writer
- medical doctor
- research laboratory technician
- sales representative
- immunology development manager
Watch our introduction to Futures in Research
Our Careers Service
Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.
You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.
We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.
Facilities
You'll work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. This is part of our city-centre campus.
The Faculty is also home to:
- dentistry
- medicine
- psychology
- pharmacy
It is on the same site as Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital. We are one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.
Our facilities include:
- individual research laboratories where students carry out their projects
- a dedicated medical library with a wide range of specialist books and journals
- hi-tech computer clusters and study spaces
- dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications. This includes flow cytometry, bioinformatics, imaging, genomics and proteomics
Fees, Funding and Scholarships
Tuition fees for 2027 entry (per year)
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
Search for funding and scholarships
Find funding available for your course
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Science
Email: mres.admissions@ncl.ac.uk
Enquiries
If you've got a question about your application, send us an enquiry via the application portal you applied through.
If you haven't applied yet, or have a general enquiry, you can send your questions via our enquiry form.
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