Advanced Microscopy with Artificial Intelligence IntM
This international masters (MICROSCOM) is the first programme worldwide to cover the full lifecycle of computational microscopy, allowing students to combine technical expertise with real-life microscopy uses. As an international masters it offers you the chance to study in three European countries. Semesters focus on Microscopy Principles, Methods and Techniques; AI-Based Image Processing Techniques and Computational Tools; Customised Optical Systems and Software Integration before undertaking your project in the Life Science or Physical Sciences track.
- Academic contact: Richard Bowman Richard.Bowman@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- International (multiple locations)
- IntM: 24 months full-time
Why this programme
- Develop and use cutting-edge microscopy hardware, software, and analysis techniques for application in the life sciences and beyond.
- Design, construct and apply optical systems for advanced microscopy applications, integrating automation and control techniques to optimise imaging performance
- You will be immersed in an interdisciplinary environment, with study tracks for students from both life science and physical science backgrounds, hosted by academic departments including life sciences, engineering, and physics.
- You will be part of an international community of microscopy experts by undertaking an optional internship with one of our associate partner institutions.
- Apply computational imaging and analysis techniques to enhance microscopy data quality and resolution, utilising tools such as PSF engineering and phase retrieval for accurate and detailed image reconstruction
- Enjoy the option to study a second European language. All students will spend semesters in Dublin, Ciudad Real and Glasgow.
- The MICROSCOM international masters has been designed with two tracks – life sciences to develop expert microscopy users and physical sciences, to develop advanced computational microscopy techniques.
Programme structure
The MICROSCOM programme offers graduates from a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, such as biology, physics, computer science, electrical engineering, chemistry, mathematics, the opportunity to develop skills in advanced microscopy. The programme has two study tracks:
- one for students with a physical sciences background (physics, engineering, computer science) hereafter called PS and
- one for students with a life science degree (LS).
Both tracks will cover the same core material at the same institutions but will have different courses to fill gaps in previous training, and to stretch students in the final semester.
The programme will be delivered in three European universities: starting in September, with the first semester of the academic year in University College Dublin for a grounding in microscopy techniques and life sciences applications. For the second semester students will move to the University of Castilla La Mancha, Spain and focus on advanced analysis and AI. After a summer including a short placement and optional summer school, students will spend the third semester in Glasgow where they will build and automate custom optical systems, complete interdisciplinary team projects, and review cutting-edge literature. The final component is a dissertation project over a six-month period at our worldwide network of Associate Partner companies and labs.
Mobility is at the heart of the international programme, and over the course of the two-year programme, each student will spend one semester in each of the three partner Universities. This is supported by language tuition and the opportunity for students who take Spanish to put what they learn into real-life practice during the semester in Ciudad Real.
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Semester 1: University College Dublin
Core courses
- Biological Imaging (10 credits)
- Nanooptics and Biophotonics (10 credits)
- Ultrastructural Microscopy Imaging (10 credits)
- Current Trends in Bioimaging (10 credits)
- Python for Life Sciences (LS track only) (10 credits)
- Cell Biology of Disease (PS track only) (10 credits)
Optional courses
- High Content Screening Microscopy (10 credits)
- Atomic Force Microscopy (10 credits)
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Semester 2: Universidad de Castilla – La Mancha
Core courses
- Visual perception & Image Processing (10 credits)
- Machine Learning (10 credits)
- Deep Learning (10 credits)
- Data Analysis & Governance in Microscopy Imaging (10 credits)
- Image Processing Tools in Microscopy (LS track only) (10 credits)
- Advanced Programming Tools for AI (PS track only) (10 credits)
Optional courses
- Video Processing in Microscopy (10 credits)
- Cutting-edge Deep Learning Methods for Image Processing (10 credits)
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Semester 3: University of Glasgow
Core courses
- Experimental Optics & Microscopy (10 credits)
- Automation & Microscopy (10 credits)
- Research Skills (10 credits)
- Group Project: Smart Microscopy (10 credits)
- Advanced Techniques in Microscopy (10 credits)
- Computational Imaging Microscopy (10 credits)
Optional courses
- Lasers (10 credits)
- Microelectronics in Consumer Products 4 (10 credits)
- Nano and Atomic Scale Imaging 1 (10 credits)
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Semester 4: Extended placement
You will spend your final semester and part of the summer at an Associate Partner (or one of the three Universities, within a research lab) working on an extended project, assessed via a dissertation. (60 credits)
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Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
The steady growth of the microscopy market indicates a promising trend for employment opportunities in the sector. Increasing demand for advanced microscopy technologies is expected to drive companies to expand their workforce across research,
development, manufacturing, sales and support services. Moreover, the integration of microscopy into fields like life sciences, nanotechnology and materials science further boosts job creation in related industries, expanding the demand for highly skilled professionals. In this context, a master's programme like MICROSCOM unlocks diverse job opportunities across key sectors, including:
- Industry: Roles in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, among others, such as imaging specialists, AI developers and instrumentation engineers.
- Academia and Research: Positions as researchers or lecturers specializing in advanced microscopy, contributing to the development of next-generation imaging systems and managing microscopy facilities.
- Healthcare and Diagnostics: Careers in medical imaging companies and hospitals, focusing on automated diagnostic tools and AI-driven imaging software.
- Startups: Opportunities in entrepreneurial ventures developing low-cost, accessible microscopy systems and AI-powered image analysis software solutions.
- Public Sector: Positions in environmental agencies or international organisations using microscopy and AI for sustainable development and ecological research.
Fees & funding
Deposits
All applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 to secure a place on this programme.
Deposits: terms & conditions
The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% administration fee will be deducted unless otherwise stated.
a: Deposits WILL be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Where the University is unable to offer you a place on the programme as specified on the offer. A full refund will be issued in this case.
- Death of a close family member (parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child/dependent). Official evidence (signed and stamped) must be provided.
- SERIOUS ill health of the applicant or a close family member (parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child/dependent). Official evidence (signed and stamped) must be provided.
- Applicant does not meet conditions of offer. This may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide at least two language tests which were taken after the date the deposit was paid).
- Visa / ATAS refusal: we will only consider a refund if the visa / ATAS refusal was based on matters outside of the applicant’s control.
- If a refund request is received within 14 days of the deposit being received a full refund will be issued under the Consumer Protection Regulations.
b: Deposits WILL NOT be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- An applicant decides not to attend the University for any reason not outlined above.
- Personal financial constraints / unsuccessful scholarship application.
- Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and hold it against the applicant’s account to secure their place for the following year of entry. You may defer twice. After the second deferral standard conditions will apply.
- There is still time to meet the English language test requirement before the final upload date. Please see section a) 4.
- Visa / ATAS was applied for too late. Please see section a) 5.
- Any documents used for admission are proven to be fraudulent. We work in partnership with Qualification Check to check academic qualifications. English language qualifications are verified with the provider.
- The refund request is received more than 30 days after the official course start date as outlined in your offer email.
Timeframe for requesting a refund
Refund requests must be received no later than 30 days after the official course start date as outlined in your offer email. As per section b)7 above the request will be denied.
Receiving a refund
- To comply with Money Laundering Regulations, the University will pay all refunds to the original payer using the source payment details. This is known as a “return to source” payment.
- All appropriate documentation and evidence relating to the original payment must be provided, when requested.
- All payments and refunds are in GBP currency - the University is not responsible for any exchange rate fluctuations or beneficiary bank charges associated with the refund.
- Where University approved payment methods have not been used, this may cause significant delays or prevent payment altogether.
- We will aim to issue the deposit refund within 8 weeks of receipt of information per point 2 above. At peak times this may be longer.
How to request a deposit refund
Please go to our enquiry form and select 'Fees and Deposit' as the enquiry reason and then 'Can I have a deposit refund?'.
Please upload all supporting documentation to your applicant self-service portal before submitting the above request.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Entry requirements
Information on entry requirements for this programme can be found on the MICROSCOM website.
English language requirements
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
For applicants from non-majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
Accepted English Language Tests
We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.
IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic for UKVI/ IELTS Academic online
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- We do not accept General Training
TOEFL iBT (including MyBest and Home Edition)
Test taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 overall with no subtest less than 4.5
PTE Academic (test centre only)
- 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
- We do not accept the online PTE Academic
Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
Oxford ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
LanguageCert Academic/Academic SELT/ Academic Online
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- 96 overall with no subtest less than 90
Kaplan Test of English
- Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
PSI Skills for English
- B2 Pass with Merit
Duolingo English Test
- 120 overall with writing at 120 and no subtest less than 110
Oxford Test of English Advanced
- 140 Overall with any two subtests at 126 or higher, and any two subtests at 136 or higher
Alternatives to English Language test
Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
TNE degree from UK university taught at a campus outside of the UK
- students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study and remain valid for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/mlc/eas/pre-sessionalcourses/
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.
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