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Infection and Immunity MSc

London, Bloomsbury

You will learn the language and concepts of infection and immunity, from basic science to translational clinical research, from our world-class investigators. This Infection and Immunity MSc emphasises data interpretation, critical analysis of current literature and culminates in a full-time research project. This course is excellent preparation for a research career.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£46,700
£23,350
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper-second class Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from a recognised university. Applicants not meeting this standard may be considered if they have significant relevant experience.

The English language level for this course is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The programme provides insight into state-of-the-art infection and immunity research, current issues in the biology of infectious agents, the pathogenesis, prevention and control of infectious diseases, and immunity and immune dysfunction.

Core and optional modules reflect research interests with the UCL Division of Infection & Immunity and allow you to learn from UCL scientists' research. You will also receive hands-on training in research by carrying out a full-time research project in a UCL research group.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for anyone interested in any aspect of infection or immunity, particularly those who wish to pursue a career in research.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • You join the UCL Division of Infection & Immunity, a vibrant and world-class research community.
  • Students are embedded in this superb training environment which provides a challenging and stimulating academic experience.
  • Our programme reflects the research and clinical excellence within the division as well as cross-disciplinary research from all over UCL.
  • First-class teaching and research supervision is provided by UCL academics, many of whom have international reputations.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates are exceptionally well prepared for a career in research. The combination of research-informed teaching and practical research training provides ideal preparation for a PhD. It is equally useful for clinicians seeking specialist research training or wishing to pursue the clinical academic career track

More broadly, a rigorous grounding in scientific method, critical analysis, data interpretation and independent thinking provides a palette of marketable and transferable skills applicable to many professional career paths.

Employability

This degree produces graduates who are equipped to embark on research careers. Immersion in the superb research and teaching environment provided by UCL Division of Infection & Immunity gives our graduates a unique understanding of how cutting-edge infection and immunity research is carried out.

Graduates are well placed to move onto PhD programmes, research positions in diverse biomedical fields, clinical research positions, further training, and positions in associated professions.

According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), Infection and Immunity MSc graduates have gone on to work for NHS Trusts, UK and European universities, public bodies including Public Health England and the European Commission, and organisations including Johnson and Johnson, Médecins Sans Frontières, PwC and Quell Therapeutics.

Networking

Opportunities for networking with UCL senior investigators with international reputations and their worldwide collaborators can provide the inside track for career development. We also encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending our internal and external research seminars.

Teaching and learning

You will learn using the following methods:

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials/paper discussion sessions.
  • Data interpretation sessions
  • Self-directed learning
  • Laboratory practicals
  • Independent research project.

We use a diverse range of assessment methods. Coursework may be in the form of presentations, essays, data interpretation exercises, poster preparation, and group work.

The research project is assessed through a 4,000-word report and an oral examination. Some modules also have an unseen written examination.

A typical 15-credit taught module comprises about 30 hours of contact time with about 120 hours spent on independent study, reading, coursework and revision. Taught modules typically have 3-4 hours of contact time per week during term time.

In total, during Term 1 there is about 19 hours of contact time per week (four core modules plus the start of data interpretation). In Term 2, there is about 14 hours of contact time per week (three optional modules plus the completion of data interpretation). Contact hours will typically include lectures, tutorials and data interpretation sessions.

Full-time students typically study the equivalent hours of a full-time job. Outside of your contact hours, you will use the remaining time for self-directed study, reading, coursework and revision.

From the start of Term 3, for approximately four months, students work full-time on their research project.

A Postgraduate Diploma comprising four core modules and four optional modules (120 credits, full-time nine months, part-time, flexible study two to five years) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate comprising four core modules (60 credits, full-time three months, and flexible study up to two years) is offered.

Modules

Compulsory modules

  • Laboratory Introduction to Basic Bacteriology (Term 1)
  • Molecular Virology (Term 1)
  • Immunology in Health and Disease (Term 1)
  • Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases (Term 1)
  • Data Interpretation and Critical Analysis in Infection and Immunity (Term 1 and 2)

Term 2 Optional modules (choose three)

  • Infectious Diseases in Resource Poor Settings
  • Frontiers in Tuberculosis
  • HIV Frontiers from Research to Clinics
  • The Immunological Basis of Autoimmune Disease - From Experimental Models to Clinical Practice
  • Immunodeficiency and Therapeutics
  • Global Eradication of Viruses
  • Evolution and Infectious Diseases
  • The Immune System, Cancer and its Treatment
  • Biological Therapies and Live Medicines

Dissertation / Report (Term 3)

All MSc students undertake independent research which culminates in a 4,000-word dissertation.

As above, split over two years. The modules you take each year are agreed with the Programme Director. Individual modules must be completed in a single academic year.

As above, split over up to five years. The modules you take each year are agreed with the Programme Director. Individual modules must be completed in a single academic year.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules











Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Infection and Immunity. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Infection and Immunity. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Infection and Immunity.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Infection and Immunity Masters Degrees

Watch UCL's virtual open day for master's courses in infection and immunity. You'll get a chance to explore our facilities, including the Pears Building. You will hear directly from course leads and speak to a current student about their experience. We cover two courses: Infection and Immunity MSc and Experimental and Translational Immunology MSc. This is your opportunity to find out what studying at UCL is really like and decide if these courses are right for you.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £46,700 £23,350

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 deposit will be charged.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Hepatitis B vaccine. Students do not require the hepatitis B vaccine to join the programme. However, a small number of research projects (involving handling of certain types of primary human material) will not be available to those without the vaccine. Applicants may wish to consider arranging a course of the vaccine ahead of arriving at UCL, as a full course of vaccine and follow-up blood test can take up to eight months. The cost of the vaccine varies by provider but is typically around £50 per dose (£150 total).

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

Some taught content on the Infection and Immunity MSc is shared with UCL undergraduate programmes. If you are a UCL student or graduate and have already taken any of the modules included in the MSc, please contact us before applying to discuss whether alternative modules are available.

When we assess applications to the programme, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Infection & Immunity at graduate level
  • why you want to study Infection & Immunity at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Infection and Immunity
Division of Infection and Immunity

ii.infection-immunityadmin@ucl.ac.uk

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