Overview
Explore microbial pathogenesis, vaccines, and antimicrobial resistance on Brunel’s Infection and Antimicrobial Discovery MSc. You'll investigate the biology of microbial pathogens, the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, and the development of novel vaccines and treatments to combat infectious diseases.
On this programme, you'll delve into microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and emerging infectious diseases. Topics include antibiotic mechanisms and resistance, bacterial biofilms, and novel vaccine strategies. You’ll also examine viral threats such as COVID and Ebola, and investigate cutting-edge approaches to antimicrobial discovery, including AI-driven drug design and alternatives to traditional antibiotics.
You’ll be taught by internationally recognised researchers and gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge laboratories. The programme includes core training in molecular medicine, research methods, and scientific communication modules, alongside a course-specific module and an extensive research project.
At Brunel, you’ll gain hands-on experience through research-led teaching, access to cutting-edge facilities, and valuable industry connections. Whether you're pursuing a future in biomedical research, clinical diagnostics, or the pharmaceutical sector, this degree will prepare you to make a real-world impact in science and medicine.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
On this course, you’ll acquire a comprehensive suite of scientific and professional skills. These include advanced laboratory techniques, data analysis, and bioinformatics, as well as the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature. You’ll also develop strong scientific writing and communication skills, enabling you to present complex information clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
You’ll build strong independent research skills and develop a keen sense of ethical responsibility, setting you up for a wide range of scientific careers. Through specialist training, you’ll explore how pathogens interact with their hosts and investigate innovative strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Compulsory
- BB5608 - Infection and Antimicrobial Discovery
This module provides cutting-edge knowledge on diverse immune responses against viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites and its translational implications and the principle of Vaccines and Drugs. Students will be taught current trends on emerging infectious diseases and development and challenges associated with existing infectious diseases and microbial and viral threats. This advanced block will help students to build a broad platform for research into host-pathogen interaction, vaccination strategies, microbial genomics, and immunotherapeutic approaches.
- BB5606 - Molecular Medicine
This module will provide the students with the principle concepts of genetics and cell biology, cancer/disease, immunology and microbiology, together with the model organisms and in vitro models used in the molecular medicine field.
- BB5605 - Research Skills
This module will provide the framework for understanding the landscape of how to conduct research, its ethical implications and experimental techniques. It will also provide students with practical lab experience.
- BB5610 - Scientific Communication
This study block is designed to provide an overview of the professional science communication landscape. Starting with the understanding of the research structure and its planning, the course provides an opportunity to learn the principles and variety of Scientific Writing. Different scientific writing styles will be explored, including writing for Social media, Science Blogging, public relations and educational purposes. Attendance to scientific seminars will provide the opportunity to understand how to communicate research data. It will also train in Literature Searching and in analysing research papers via TBL sessions.
- BB5604 - Dissertation Research Project
This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake an independent, in-depth research study of a topic relevant to the course.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Graduates of Brunel's Infection and Antimicrobial Discovery MSc are highly sought after across a wide range of scientific and healthcare sectors. Whether you're aiming to work at the forefront of the fight against infectious diseases innovation or pursue further academic study, this programme opens the door to exciting and impactful career paths.
Our graduates go on to thrive in careers such as:
- Infection-related Biomedical and Clinical Researcher
- Analytical Development Scientist
- Senior Scientist in Biotech
- Vaccine or Anti-microbial Clinical Trials Manager
- Science Communicator or Medical Writer
- Physician Associate or Healthcare Professional
Previous Biomedical Sciences graduates have secured positions at leading organisations including Touchlight, MeiraGTx, and The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, while others have progressed to PhD programmes at Brunel, UCL, and top international universities. Many have also taken on leadership roles in scientific communications and biotechnology firms.
This degree also provides a strong foundation for further education and specialisation, including PhDs in immunology and infectious diseases, postgraduate certificates in clinical research, bioinformatics, or science communication and professional training in healthcare, data science, or regulatory affairs.
Whether you’re looking to enter the lab, the clinic, or the boardroom, Brunel’s Infection and Antimicrobial Discovery MSc will prepare you to lead, innovate, and make a difference in the world of science and medicine.
UK entry requirements
2025/6 entry
A 2.2 (or above) UK Honours degree in the field of Biosciences.
Other qualifications including equivalent internationally recognised qualification or relevant experience from health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses, MLSOs) will be assessed on an individual basis and a request for completion of an online biological test in molecular and cell biology may be required.
Applicants with a third class honours degree or other lower qualifications will be considered if supported by science A-levels (or equivalent) and relevant work experience. Such applicants may be required to attend an interview.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
UK
£13,280 full-time
£6,640 part-time
International
£24,795 full-time
£12,395 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
You’ll learn from internationally recognised researchers and gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories. Our research-led teaching is complemented by strong industry links and proximity to world-class hospitals, biotech firms, and research institutes, providing unique opportunities for collaboration with NHS and industry partners.
You’ll also benefit from personalised academic support through one-on-one mentorship, career development workshops, guest lectures, and networking events in London - one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse cities.
Your course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical laboratory sessions. A number of sessions will be interactive and involve informal student presentations and journal clubs.
Assessment and feedback
Your assessments are designed to reflect real-world scientific practice and help you build a broad and versatile skill set.
Throughout the programme, you’ll be evaluated through a variety of coursework that mirrors the tasks of professional researchers. These include lab reports, data analysis, and even a grant proposal, giving you experience in the kinds of work you’ll encounter in research and industry.
You’ll also develop your communication skills through written assignments, such as essays and articles tailored for both scientific and general audiences. An oral presentation will help you refine your public speaking and science communication abilities.
To test your integrated knowledge, you’ll complete a synoptic exam, while a reflective seminar portfolio will encourage you to critically assess real-world scientific presentations and develop your analytical thinking.
Your final challenge is the research dissertation - a substantial independent project where you’ll design, conduct, and communicate your own research, showcasing everything you’ve learned and your readiness for the next step in your scientific career.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.