Microbiology Schools and Programs in Spain

Microbiology Studies in Spain

Microbiology studies bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other microorganisms: their structure, genetics, metabolism and ecology, and their role in health, food, industry and the environment. In Spain it is mostly learned within life-science and health degrees and becomes a specialisation at master's and doctoral level. There is also vocational laboratory training that includes a module in clinical microbiology.

How the studies are organised

The usual route starts with an official bachelor's degree (grado) in a related field. The Universidad de Granada explains that its master's builds on the microbiology content of degrees such as Biology, Biotechnology, Food Science and Technology, Pharmacy, Medicine and Dentistry. The Universidad de Alcalá, for example, teaches a bachelor's degree in Health Biology (Biología Sanitaria): four years, 240 ECTS credits, 100 places and teaching in Spanish, with areas such as immunology and infectious diseases.

Specialisation comes with a one-year official master's degree (60 ECTS), almost always research-oriented:

• Máster Universitario en Investigación y Avances en Microbiología, Universidad de Granada: 60 ECTS, taught in Spanish, with environmental, food, industrial and clinical orientation
• Máster en Microbiología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid: 60 ECTS, 28 places, with environmental and health tracks
• Máster en Microbiología y Salud, Universidad del País Vasco (EHU): 60 credits, 20 places, taught in Spanish, with training in parasitology and immunology

These master's degrees lead on to the doctorate; the EHU programme gives direct access to its doctoral programme in Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. The Universidad de Granada points out that its master's is not a professional qualification, so it does not give access to a regulated profession.

In vocational training (FP), the higher-level cycle Técnico Superior en Laboratorio Clínico y Biomédico (2,000 hours) includes a Clinical Microbiology module and prepares students for work in clinical analysis, diagnostic and research laboratories. Online providers such as Formación Universitaria and Neptunos Formación also offer technical and specialisation courses; before enrolling, check whether the qualification is official or the provider's own.

Admission, language and costs

Students who completed secondary school outside Spain usually go through UNEDasiss, the UNED service that assesses international students' records and runs the tests needed for access to bachelor's degrees; the application for a place is then made to each university within its deadlines. A master's requires a university degree in a related field. The Universidad Autónoma de Madrid admits graduates in Biology, Environmental Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science or a similar degree, and takes into account that applicants from Latin American countries may have studied programmes with no direct equivalent in Spain. The UAM values B2-level English and requires B2 Spanish only from non-Spanish speakers.

Places are few. At the Universidad de Granada, places offered, applications and enrolments for the master's are listed as 33/270/33. As for fees, the UAM master's costs about €2,736 for first enrolment (€5,079 for non-EU students who are not resident), and the EHU gives an indicative price of €2,200.

Where to study Microbiology in Spain

Among the schools listed for this subject, Seville has two, both online training providers: Formación Universitaria and Neptunos Formación. The university options are in Granada (Universidad de Granada), the Community of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Cantoblanco and Universidad de Alcalá in Alcalá de Henares) and the Basque Country (Universidad del País Vasco, based in Leioa). The Granada master's draws on research groups at the university and at the Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC), and CSIC researchers also take part in the UAM master's.

Recognition of the qualification

Official Spanish bachelor's and master's degrees are valid throughout the country. Microbiology is not a regulated profession in Spain, so a foreign degree in this field is not formally recognised through homologación. According to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, homologación only grants access to a regulated profession; for other qualifications applicants can request a declaration of equivalence, which is processed only online. To apply for a master's place, the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid asks applicants who studied outside Spain for the average-grade equivalence issued by the ministry.

Careers

The Universidad de Granada names a research career as one of the main paths. Other options it lists include R&D in biomedical, agri-food and environmental companies, the pharmaceutical industry (production and control of antibacterial drugs), the food industry (production and quality control), the biotechnology industry, technical microbiological analysis services and clinical microbiology research. Holders of the higher technician qualification in clinical and biomedical laboratory work can work in clinical diagnostic, research or toxicology laboratories, in public institutions or private companies.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to study to become a microbiologist in Spain?

The usual path is a bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacy or a related field, followed by a 60-ECTS master's in microbiology, such as those at the Universidad de Granada, the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid or the EHU.

How much does a master's in Microbiology cost?

At the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, about €2,736 for first enrolment, or €5,079 for non-resident non-EU students. At the EHU, the indicative price is €2,200.

Can I study a microbiology master's in English?

The master's degrees described here are taught in Spanish. The Universidad Autónoma de Madrid values B2-level English but requires a Spanish certificate only from non-Spanish speakers.

Is there vocational training related to microbiology?

Yes. The higher-level cycle Técnico Superior en Laboratorio Clínico y Biomédico lasts 2,000 hours and includes a Clinical Microbiology module.