Beginning to appreciate the vast diversity of microorganisms on Earth and their fundamental impact to life was fascinating

"Studying Microbiology in Sheffield is an exciting opportunity to become immersed in a dynamic, student-friendly city whilst developing the skills, knowledge and confidence required to explore the wide range of opportunities available beyond university. This degree does not restrict you to any single career path, but rather provides a solid grounding in scientific methodology that will support a range of post-graduation options, either within or outside of Science.

For me, Microbiology was the most intriguing area right from the start. Beginning to appreciate the vast diversity of microorganisms on Earth and their fundamental impact to life was fascinating. In particular, I was interested in the microbiota and the complex connection between intestinal dysbiosis and disease.

Ellie Larkins

BSc Microbiology

"The flexibility of the department really appealed to me when applying to university, with level one providing the opportunity to explore key areas and develop your interests before choosing specific modules to focus on. For me, Microbiology was the most intriguing area right from the start. Beginning to appreciate the vast diversity of microorganisms on Earth and their fundamental impact to life was fascinating. In particular, I was interested in the microbiota and the complex connection between intestinal dysbiosis and disease. This led me to complete a summer research project in the Medical School, which further strengthened my interests and encouraged me to subsequently focus on these areas as much as possible.

"The final year research project was a highlight of my degree as it gave me more independence and flexibility, knowing that help was always available should I need it (which was usually the case!). I worked in one of the University’s Microbiology labs to try to express and purify a potential MRSA vaccine component. This required basic laboratory skills that I’d learned in level one and two, but also enabled me to try many new techniques. Exploring scientific literature and writing a detailed lab report helped me to understand the relevance of my project to current research in this field and finally draw direct connections between our academic work and real-world applications."