Overview

A Bachelor of Science - Microbiology at Massey University is an essential science that helps us understand the microbes in the environment, including microbes that dwell in the soil, air and water, in our food and inside people, animals and plants. Microbiology can impact on many different areas, such as:

agriculture, where rumen microbes are both essential to dairy and good industries, but also responsible for much of New Zealand’s carbon emission;
bioprotection, where efforts to preserve native birds (kiwi) and plants (kauri trees) depend on expert control of microbial pathogens
microbes have applications as model systems to answer questions beyond the immediate range of microbiology, such as the causes of cancer or birth defects;

green and bio-based technologies, where microbes help preserve our environment by producing bio-based materials for use in diagnostics and vaccines or by harnessing solar energy for fuel production.

Career

The growing demand for qualified microbiologists is highlighted by the number of microbiology positions advertised in the scientific journals Science and Nature. The need for microbiologists has been sharply increased by Covid-19 pandemics, where microbiologists play the key roles in developing diagnostic tests and vaccine. Microbiologists are on the Immediate Skill Shortage List as published by the New Zealand Immigration Office.

Areas graduates could work in include:

reducing global warming and the production of environmentally-friendly biodegradable materials
the production of high-value compounds such as antibiotics and vaccines
food production - such as beer, wine and cheese
developing affordable and rapid tests for SARS-CoV2 and other disease-causing microbes
preventing and treating diseases, forensics and cleaning up pollution
search for life on the bottom of the ocean and on other planets.

The importance of microbes in traditional New Zealand industries means that you will be in high demand by these industries and Crown Research Institutes in quality control and research and development.

Other traditional areas of employment include hospital laboratories, universities, Crown Research Institutes, meat and dairy processing or vaccine production companies, quality assurance and diagnostic laboratories (AsureQuality, Hills Laboratories, Eurofins, Gribbles, MedLab Central and others), or government (e.g. Border control, Ministry of Primary Industries, Environmental Protection Authority). Newly emerging New Zealand export industries, such as winemaking and biotechnology, as well as diverse food production companies, employ graduates from the qualification.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Biology and Genetics of Microorganisms

Medical Microbiology

Immunology

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Genetics and Evolution

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-07-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-19 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-02-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-31 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-02-05 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-07-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-05-01 00:00:00 , International

More details

Applications will be considered after these dates if spaces are available.

Language

English

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Credits

360 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Palmerston North, New Zealand

Disciplines

Microbiology View 5 other Bachelors in Microbiology in New Zealand

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

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105

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
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Other requirements

General requirements

Birth certificate
Current passport
Residency visa
Citizenship certificate

English language proficiency documents

Knowledge gained in the following NCEA subjects (or the equivalent in Cambridge International Examinations, International Baccalaureate, or similar) will give you the expected background knowledge to take this major.

At least 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Biology.
At least 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Chemistry.

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Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Massey University and/or in New Zealand, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

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

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

42300 NZD / year

≈ 42300 NZD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

8420 NZD / year

≈ 8420 NZD / year

Living costs

Palmerston North

New Zealand

1100 - 2100 NZD / month

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

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Science - Microbiology.

Available Scholarships

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

About

Overview

Career

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Palmerston North

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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