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Overview

Microbiology is a well-funded research area at Ãå±±½ûµØ. This creates a vibrant and dynamic environment for postgraduate study.

Our microbiology researchers are actively engaged in the following research areas:

Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolism

Studies investigating the metabolism and biochemistry of microbes from various environments. This includes the discovery of novel enzymes and biosynthetic pathways for natural products.

Antimicrobial Resistance and the Development of new Anti-Infective Drugs

The use of genomic, computational, and molecular biological methods to probe the emergence and evolution of antimicrobial resistance. We're working to direct the development of new drug leads.

Plant-Microbe Interactions

Studies focusing on the molecular basis of interactions between plants and microbes. We aim to understand and manipulate relationships for improved plant health and productivity.

Invertebrate-Microbe Interactions

Investigations into how invertebrates interact with microbial communities. We explore the implications for both pest control and pollinator health.

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the . This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact. 

What you'll learn

Our microbiology researchers are actively engaged in the following research areas:

• Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolism
  
• Antimicrobial Resistance and the Development of new Anti-Infective Drugs
  
• Plant-Microbe Interactions
  
• Invertebrate-Microbe Interactions

How you'll learn

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Thesis
• Viva

Postgraduate research student support

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

Find out more about our postgraduate research student support

Our staff

• Dr Catriona Anderson
• Dr Vasilios Andriotis
• Dr Matt Bawn
• Dr Gary Caldwell
• Dr Fiona Cuskin
• Dr Martin Edwards
• Dr Shannon Flynn
• Prof Angharad Gatehouse
• Prof Ian Head
• Dr Thomas Howard
• Dr Maxim Kapralov
• Dr Patricia Lopez
• Prof Paul Race
• Dr Jem Stach
• Dr Tahar Taybi
• Dr Jon Telling
• Prof William Willats
• Prof Sam Wilson

Your development

We have a thriving postgraduate research culture. We have specialist support for international students. You'll present your work in Ãå±±½ûµØ and at scientific meetings.

Many of our MPhil and PhD projects are conducted in partnership with industry, including:

• Proctor and Gamble
• Northumbrian Water
• AstraZeneca
• DSTL
• Fera Science

Your studies will also benefit from close association with our Centre for Excellence in Industrial Biotechnology.

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.

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Ãå±±½ûµØ within a:

• Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) / Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA)

Being part of a CDT or DTP/DLA 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

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 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.

Visit our Careers Service website

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, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Why is this fee shown as a range?

We are unable to give an exact fee, this is why the fee is shown as a range. This fee range takes into account your research topic and resource requirements.

Your research topic is unique so it will have unique resource requirements. Resources could include specialist equipment, such as laboratory/workshop access, or technical staff.

If your research involves accessing specialist resources then you're likely to pay a higher fee. You'll discuss the exact nature of your research project with your supervisor(s). You'll find out the fee in your offer letter.

PGR Home fee note

Home fees for research degree students

For 2025-26 entry, we've aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by .  For 2026-27 entry, we will again be aligning our standard Home research fees with UKRI. They will announce their fees in Spring 2026.

 

Tuition fee increases

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.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

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

Select your country

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:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

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.

Funding deadlines

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

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Ãå±±½ûµØ in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Ãå±±½ûµØ.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events