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Microbiology (Biological Sciences) MPhil, PhD

Explore microbiology research in biological sciences.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2024
  • January 2025
  • April 2025

Overview

Microbiology is a well-funded research area at Newcastle University. This creates a vibrant and dynamic environment for postgraduate study.

In biological sciences, our Applied and Environmental Microbiology group researches:

  • microbial biology in a range of habitats
  • discovery of natural products, eg antibiotics
  • reduction of food spoilage
  • production of biofuels, bioremediation of polluted environments
  • pathogens and host-pathogen interactions in a range of diseases. This includes those in plants and coral reefs

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

(only use this component if course has more than one qualification option)

How you'll learn

Your development

We have a thriving postgraduate research culture. We have specialist support for international students. You'll present your work in Newcastle and at scientific meetings.

Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme 

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

  • perform better as a researcher
  • boost your career prospects
  • broaden your impact

Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.

You’ll cover:

  • techniques for effective research
  • methods for better collaborative working
  • essential professional standards and requirements

Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

Find out more about the SAgE researcher development programme

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:

  • Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
  • Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:

  • they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
  • you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
  • they’re often interdisciplinary
  • your PhD may be funded

Find out more about doctoral training and partnerships

If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.

The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

We develop our research with a range of facilities. This allows us to explore a broad range of research. We explore many topics, from nanotechnology to whole-cell function. Specialist facilities include:

  • TIRF and SIM-TIRF microscopy
  • systems for 4-D real-time fluorescence imaging with focal locking systems
  • flow cytometry with cell sorting
  • x-ray crystallography
  • a microbiology containment level 3 suite

Other equipment includes:

  • high-performance liquid chromatography
  • stop-flow UV-VIS fluorescence spectroscopy
  • facilities for electron microscopy, DNA sequencing, microarray analyses and proteomics

We have a suite of licenced controlled environment rooms. We use these for growing transgenic plants and for housing quarantine invertebrate pests.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

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:

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

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.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions

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

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  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

  • campus tours
  • on-campus open days
  • virtual open days
  • webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Nikki Morton
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Email: n.j.morton@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone +44 (0) 191 208 4848

 

Online

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

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You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

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