Applied Microbiology - Carlow
If you're fascinated by microorganisms and their impact on health, the environment, and industry, and you want a course with extensive hands-on laboratory work, then our BSc (Ord) in Applied Microbiology is an excellent choice. After 3 years you can continue with the level 8 BSc Hons Applied Microbiology or take another Level 8 option in SETU.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
3 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
5 Subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Entry requirements for Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the six subject eligibility requirements for entry to honours degree courses.
Entry requirements for Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) and Higher Certificate (Level 6)
The LCVP link module can also be used in place of a fifth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the five subject eligibility requirements for entry to ordinary bachelor degree and higher certificate courses
GRADE POINTS
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 5, and achieved at least three distinctions, are eligible to apply through CAO for entry to Year 1 on to Level 6, 7 and 8 courses. Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 6 may be eligible to enter Year 2.
The maximum possible points awarded through QQI-FET is 390. The scoring system only applies where all of the requirements for the major award are met i.e. where the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Progression Scheme
The Progression Scheme is an additional opportunity for students who successfully complete a QQI FET Award in a partner Colleges of Further Education and Training College/Centre to gain entry to SETU programmes. The list of partner Further Education and Training Colleges/Centres, relevant SETU programmes, linked QQI FET Awards and the criteria for the scheme are available at www.setu.ie/progression.
Careers / Further progression
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates are eligible to progress to Year 4 of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Microbiology, the BSc Hons Biosciences with Biopharmaceuticals, BSc Hons Pharmaceutics and Drug Formulation or BSc Hons Brewing and Distilling at SETU Carlow. There are also opportunities to progress to honours degree courses in other Irish or international higher education institutes.
What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
With a BSc Ord in Applied Microbiology, you'll be ready to contribute to challenges like manufacturing new diagnostics and biologics and improving environmental sustainability. Whether you choose further study or jump into careers in healthcare, biotech, or industry, this degree opens doors to exciting possibilities.
Further information
September 2026
Mature Student Applications
A mature student is someone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an undergraduate course and who may not meet the normal admission requirements. Applications are made through the CAO before the 1 February or before late application deadline of 1 May 2026. Applicants are assessed based on the information they enter on their CAO application. Note: You must apply for nursing and music courses by 1 February 2026.
Selection Process – Nursing Applications
Mature applicants for nursing courses will receive correspondence under separate cover from the Nursing Careers Centre (Public Appointments Service - PAS). For full details on the application process see www.nursingcareers.ie.
Mature Applicant – Change of Mind
The Change of Mind facility becomes available after 1 May and the closing date is 1 July.
The Change of Mind facility affords mature applicants an opportunity to change the order of preference only of their course choices. If applicants introduce a new programme to their list of choices by way of Change of Mind, they will compete for a place on that programme based on their Leaving Certificate or equivalent results only. They will not compete as a mature applicant.
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
What is the Course about?
Microbiology is all about understanding how microorganisms affect our world in crucial ways, from improving healthcare to protecting the environment and driving new technologies. This course dives into how microbes are used to diagnose diseases, clean up pollution, and create bio-based solutions and biological products for industries. It focuses on three main areas: Diagnostic Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, and Industrial Microbiology.
Course Structure
Years 1 and 2 provide students with a strong foundation in the biology and chemistry of microorganisms. Year 2 introduces a key practical based module Methods in Microbiology which allows students to complement their theory delivered in new modules in Parasitology and Mycology and Virology. In Year 3, students focus on Diagnostic Microbiology, Microbiology for Pharmaceutics, Quality Management and Data Analysis in semester 1 and complete a 6-month industry placement during semester 2.
Special Features:
More than 50% of the course is dedicated to laboratory practical work, giving students essential microbiological skills.
Small group sizes for laboratory sessions ensure personalised learning and support.
A 6-month industry-based work placement in Year 3 provides valuable real-world experience.
Exit award after each year of the programme.
Modules
Year 1
Fundamental Biology
Chemistry 1
Laboratory Science
Quantitative Methods 1
Physics 1
Semester 2
Animal and Human Biology
Chemistry 2
Quantitative Methods 2
Physics 2
Current Concepts in Science
Year 2
Semester 3
Fundamentals of Microbiology 1
Molecular Biology 1
Biochemistry Biomolecules
Instrumentation
Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 1
Semester 4
Methods in Microbiology
Fundamentals of Microbiology 2
Molecular Biology 2
Parasitology
Mycology and Virology
Year 3
Semester 5
Diagnostic Microbiology
Microbial Cell Factory
Environmental Science
Microbiology for Pharmaceutics
Quality Management, Experimental Design and Data Analysis
Semester 6
Work Placement
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject