Microbiology and Infection

Career opportunities

A PhD is the highest level of academic achievement available and vital for the continued professional development of scientists. Visit the programme website for more information

Completing a PhD at Birmingham will extend your knowledge base in your chosen subject, as well as enhancing your problem solving and analytical, communication and teaching, and leadership and management skills – all of which are valued across the academic and private sectors.

It’ll also provide you with the opportunity to develop your network of peers, collaborators and colleagues to support your onward career. Many of the postgraduate research students go onto roles such as Research fellow/postdoctoral researcher, medical writer, scientist/research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical trial coordinator.

Employers include the NHS Trusts, Cancer Research UK, pharma and biotech companies (including AstraZeneca, Covance, Binding Site, Immunocore, Johnson and Johnson), Medical Communications agencies (e.g. Fishawack, Insight Medical Writing), the Armed Forces and the University of Birmingham.

Programme Structure

Research projects:

• At Birmingham, you can apply for an advertised PhD or propose your own research.
• An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.
• If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to the research programmes to propose this.
• This is self-funded, although scholarships are available.

Admission Requirements

Academic requirements

GPA: Upper Second Class

English requirements

• TOEFL iBT: 88 (or new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score: 4.5)
• PTE Academic: 67
• IELTS: 6.5

Other requirements

General requirements

• 2:1 honours degree in a subject relevant to the research area you applying to.
• If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

• International (Non-residents): 55,828 AUD / year (≈ 29,310 GBP / year)
• Domestic (Citizens or residents): 9,977 AUD / year (≈ 5,238 GBP / year)

Additional Details

• UK: £2,619 part-time
• International: £14,665 part-time

Living costs

Birmingham, United Kingdom: 1,457-2,160 AUD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Available Scholarships

• Tackling Health Inequalities in Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation – University of Birmingham – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 07 Sep 2026 – Merit-based
• Birmingham Marshall Scholarship – University of Birmingham – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 24 Sep 2026
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program – U.S. government – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 07 Oct 2026
• ServiceScape Scholarship – ServiceScape – Grant – 1000 USD – Deadline: 30 Nov 2026
• ACES Scholarships – ACES Education Fund – Grant – 3500 USD – Deadline: 15 Nov 2026
• Erasmus+ – Grants for study mobility – OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: Not specified – Merit-based
• Scholarships for PhD Students – Junhua Li – Grant – 19000 GBP – Deadline: Not specified – Merit-based
• Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship – Boustany Foundation – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 28 Feb 2027 – Merit-based
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship – IvyPanda – Grant – 1000 USD – Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 – Merit-based
• Voice Talent Online Scholarship – Voice Talent Online – Grant – 1000 USD – Deadline: 01 Mar 2027
• Women Scholarship for International Students – educations.com – Grant – 5000 USD – Deadline: 28 Aug 2026 – Merit-based
• The PhD Prep Fellowship – Admit Lab – Grant – 10000 USD – Deadline: 01 Sep 2026 – Merit-based
• Dream Chaser Scholarship – Salvado Law – Grant – 1000 USD – Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 – Merit-based
• Scholarship for students with disabilities – Anonymous Hope Fund – Grant – 3000 USD – Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 – Need-based
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids – UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – Grant – 22500 GBP – Deadline: Not specified
• Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria – Leopold Figl Foundation – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 – Need-based
• The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – IELTS from 6 to 9 – Grant – 1500 USD – Deadline: Not specified
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – Grant – 12000 USD – Deadline: 11 Jan 2027

Visit programme website