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Studies & Degrees in Clinical Microbiology

Clinical microbiology is the branch of microbiology that works for patient care. Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae and fungi, in the definition of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); clinical microbiologists test specimens to aid in detecting and preventing disease. In a hospital that means identifying the bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite behind an infection, testing which antibiotics still work against it and helping to stop infections from spreading between patients.

The subject sits between science and medicine. It is taught to medical students as part of their degree, to science graduates as a master's specialisation and to laboratory staff as part of their professional training.

What students learn

A first degree in microbiology gives the basis. According to BLS, it includes courses such as microbial genetics, environmental microbiology and virology, together with chemistry, physics and mathematics, and typically laboratory experience with the equipment used on the job. The clinical specialisation adds bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology applied to human disease, laboratory diagnosis (culture, microscopy, molecular tests), antimicrobial resistance, infection prevention and control, epidemiology and laboratory quality and safety.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree. There is rarely a first degree called clinical microbiology. Students usually start with microbiology, biology, biomedical science, biotechnology, pharmacy or medicine. In Spain these bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits, with longer degrees for medicine and pharmacy.
  • Master's degree. This is where the clinical focus usually begins. At Trinity College Dublin, the Discipline of Clinical Microbiology offers a taught master's degree, the M.Sc. in Healthcare Infection, which can be taken full-time in one year or part-time over two years, and a postgraduate diploma in the same field. It also contributes to the M.Sc. in Molecular Medicine and the M.Sc. in Genomic Medicine. In Spain an official master's degree has 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.
  • Doctorate and medical specialisation. Research degrees (M.D., M.Sc. and Ph.D.) are undertaken in the Trinity discipline. In several countries, Spain among them, clinical microbiology is also a hospital specialty reached through a residency after a degree in medicine or another health science; the national health ministry sets the rules.
  • Vocational training. Laboratory technicians carry out much of the routine testing. In Spain the higher vocational qualification is Técnico Superior en Laboratorio Clínico y Biomédico. In the United States, clinical laboratory technologists typically need a bachelor's degree, technicians sometimes qualify with an associate's degree, and some states require a licence.

Where to study clinical microbiology

SpainExchange lists two active schools for this subject, one in Ireland and one in Ukraine. At Trinity College Dublin the discipline is based at the St James's Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital campuses, and lectures take place there and on the main campus; teaching is in English. Bukovinian State Medical University in Chernivtsi teaches in Ukrainian and, for foreign students, in English.

Because the subject is usually a specialisation, also look at universities with a hospital laboratory attached and at programmes with names such as medical microbiology, infectious diseases or healthcare infection. Ask whether the programme includes time in a diagnostic laboratory and, if you want to work in a hospital, whether it counts towards professional registration in the country where you plan to work.

Careers

Graduates work in hospital and public health laboratories, infection control teams, diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies, food and water testing, and research. BLS notes that microbiologists typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation and that some employers prefer a master's degree or PhD.

For the United States, BLS projects that employment of microbiologists will grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 1,500 openings a year. For clinical laboratory technologists and technicians it projects growth of 3 percent over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

What does a clinical microbiologist do?

According to BLS, clinical microbiologists test a wide range of specimens to aid in detecting and preventing disease. In hospitals they identify the cause of infections and advise on treatment and infection control.

Do I need a medical degree to work in clinical microbiology?

Not always. Science graduates and laboratory technicians work in diagnostic laboratories. The medical specialist role does require a medical or health science degree plus specialist training, under rules that differ by country.

How long does a master's degree in this field take?

The M.Sc. in Healthcare Infection at Trinity College Dublin takes one year full-time or two years part-time. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60 to 120 ECTS credits.