Choosing your course

You can use the UCAS course search facility to find all microbiology undergraduate courses in the UK. The interactive map of all UK universities and HE institutions gives university details and links to their websites which include online prospectuses.

When comparing universities, it is useful to look at course content (which can vary considerably), the subject options, the structure of the course and how your work will be assessed. Location is also important, you may find that you like the idea of living and studying on a campus or you prefer the idea of life in busy city centre.

UCAS Higher Education Conventions, are the ideal way to pick up prospectuses, chat directly with representatives from different universities and ask questions about entrance requirements. 

Once you have narrowed the field to a few possibilities, going to an open day is a great way to check-out the feel of a department. You can see for yourself if the staff are approachable and whether existing students are friendly and happy to talk about the course. It is also a good idea to look at university-wide facilities such as the sports centre, halls of residence, library and student union. 

Once you have made your selection, you must apply through UCAS for entry to a full-time BSc course. For other types of course and part-time study it is best to consult the individual institutions directly.