Microbes are everywhere. Most are invisible to the naked eye, but they have a major impact on our health, food, and environment. Understanding them is vital to our survival, and this is where qualified microbiologists come in.
At work, microbiologists research microscopic organisms and infectious agents, including bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses. They ask which microbes cause disease, which ones can help crops or food production, and how microbial processes can be used to solve existing problems.
Microbiology is an interesting field for those who have a keen interest in the life sciences. Graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can pursue opportunities in many sectors, including medicine, food production, veterinary science, research, public health, environmental science, and education.
Student life in this field can be challenging, so it is important to find a school that can provide both quality education and strong teacher support. If you’re about to embark on your microbiology journey, here are some well-regarded microbiology schools in Europe you should consider applying to.
Top Microbiology Schools in Europe
1. University of Surrey
Established in 1966, the University of Surrey traces its roots to late-19th-century efforts to provide greater access to further and higher education for poorer residents of London. Through global collaborations and strong academic activity, the university has grown into a public research university with 17,974 students in 2025/26.
Aspiring microbiologists can study BSc Microbiology at this microbiology school in Europe, which takes three years to complete full-time. Students can also choose a placement option, which extends the program to four years. Through lectures, seminars, practical classes, and research-led teaching, you will learn the fundamentals of the field and explore current research on bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Students at the university also benefit from the Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory, a £12.5 million facility that houses modern equipment for experiments. Because the curriculum places strong importance on hands-on learning, microbiology students use these facilities to practice handling equipment, following laboratory protocols, and developing practical skills that employers value.
2. Bangor University
Bangor University, also known as Prifysgol Bangor in Welsh, is a public university in Wales. It was founded in 1884, later became one of the original colleges of the University of Wales, and now has around 10,000 students. Today, it offers programs across areas such as sciences, arts, law, health, education, and business.
Bangor University does not currently list a dedicated undergraduate Microbiology degree, though it does offer related biological sciences degrees such as Biology and Biology with Biotechnology. For postgraduate students, it offers the one-year, full-time MScRes in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology. This program is different from a traditional taught master’s degree because it places more emphasis on research and is examined by viva, similar to a Ph.D. pathway. This makes it a strong option if you plan to apply for a higher research degree later.
Students work on a master’s-level research project while completing training to develop postgraduate research skills. The school also supports research in areas connected with environmental microbiology and biotechnology, with supervision from internationally recognized academic staff.
3. University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham traces its origins to University College Nottingham, which was founded in 1881, and later became the University of Nottingham by royal charter in 1948. Today, it is a large public research university with campuses in Nottingham and international campuses in China and Malaysia.
A three-year BSc in Microbiology is available for undergraduates at the University of Nottingham. This study duration can extend with an optional year in industry between Years 2 and 3. The University of Nottingham focuses on developing technical skills, so students gain practical experience in laboratory settings, including the university’s £5 million Super Lab.
There are two relevant taught master’s programs available for postgraduates: an MSc in Microbiology and Immunology and an MSc in Clinical and Molecular Microbiology. Both programs have a full-time study duration of 12 months and are designed to help students study their chosen specialization in greater depth. Courses are taught by researchers and subject specialists, and students complete research-focused training and projects connected to current issues in microbiology, immunology, infection, and molecular diagnostics.
4. University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki (UH) is the oldest university in Finland and was founded in 1640. It operates across four campuses and has an international academic community of more than 40,000 students and staff. UH is consistently well placed in international rankings, and its study options are offered in Finnish, Swedish, and English, depending on the program. The university offers master’s and doctoral-level pathways related to microbiology.
The two-year Master’s Program in Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology is worth 120 ECTS credits and aims to strengthen students’ research skills while exploring how microbiology can be applied in areas such as food, health, environmental science, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Students can shape their degree through electives in areas such as environmental microbiology, food microbiology, medical microbiology, microbial bioinformatics, microbial biotechnology, mycology, and virology. A 30-credit master’s thesis is completed toward the end of the program.
The university also has a nationally significant research community in microbiology and biotechnology. Its doctoral research areas cover bacteria, archaea, eukaryotic microorganisms, and viruses, with strengths in fields such as environmental microbiology, virology, food microbiology, microbial biotechnology, microbial genetics and genomics, and infection microbiology. Those seeking a doctoral degree should check the university’s current doctoral program calls and available funded positions before applying.
5. Manchester Metropolitan University
Founded in 1824 through roots that include the Manchester Mechanics’ Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is a large modern university in Manchester. It has one of the UK’s largest and most diverse student communities and welcomes more than 5,000 international students from more than 120 countries.
MMU offers a three-year full-time BSc in Microbiology and Molecular Biology. Students learn the fundamentals of the field and spend a significant amount of time completing practical work in specialist laboratories. Dedicated microbiology and cell and molecular biology laboratories, a DNA-sequencing laboratory, and an industry-standard analytical suite are among the facilities available to students. The university also offers an optional extra year for overseas study or a 9- to 12-month placement, which can help students build international or professional experience.
For postgraduates, MMU also offers a one-year full-time MSc in Medical Microbiology, which helps students apply their knowledge in academic, research, and clinical contexts. Students explore human infectious diseases, epidemiology, and analytical approaches to disease control, and they complete an independent research project. MMU’s professional network includes hospitals and health care providers across Greater Manchester, which can support students as they develop research interests in the field.
FAQs about Studying Microbiology
Which Countries Have the Highest Salary for Microbiologists?
Reliable salary comparisons are difficult because sources define microbiology roles differently and use different reporting methods. However, the claim that microbiologists in Switzerland typically earn around CHF 280,000 per year should not be treated as a standard average salary. Current salary sources suggest much lower typical figures: in Switzerland, jobs.ch lists an average gross salary of about CHF 98,000 per year for full-time microbiologists; in the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $87,330 for microbiologists in May 2024; in Canada, Job Bank lists a national median wage of CAD 40 per hour; in Australia, Your Career lists an average salary of A$1,948 per week; and in the United Kingdom, the National Careers Service lists microbiologist salaries at about £23,000 to £45,000 per year.
Salaries vary widely depending on specialization, seniority, employer, location, and job function. Microbiologists working in research and development, pharmaceuticals, clinical science, or management may earn more than those in entry-level quality control or production roles.
We hope that you found this article on the best microbiology schools in Europe informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
