Master in Fungal Diagnostics and Laboratory Leadership
Develops advanced diagnostic mycology knowledge alongside the quality, data and leadership skills needed to run a modern laboratory service.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Master in Fungal Diagnostics and Laboratory Leadership
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Master
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medical, Veterinary & One Health Mycology. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 10 months (40 weeks) · 432 hours in total · 12 modules of 36 hours · 40 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 1 February 2027 to 19 November 2027. Enrolment closes on 25 January 2027. Following intake: 4 October 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
The Master in Fungal Diagnostics and Laboratory Leadership combines advanced diagnostic mycology with the quality, data and leadership skills needed to run a modern laboratory service. Across twelve modules, students review laboratory organisation and biosafety, pre-analytical quality, microscopy and histopathology, and culture-based identification. They then study antigen and biomarker testing, PCR and molecular assays, MALDI-TOF and sequencing, and antifungal susceptibility testing in depth. The final modules address quality management and accreditation, laboratory data and informatics, and team leadership and training.
Laboratories increasingly need professionals who combine technical depth with the ability to manage change, validate new methods and develop staff. This master suits senior laboratory scientists and aspiring laboratory managers with prior mycology experience. The tutor is selected for experience in laboratory leadership, quality management or diagnostics. The capstone project is a service development plan, such as introducing a new diagnostic pathway, built on real or realistic data and supervised by the tutor throughout.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in one health, useful in areas such as hospital and reference laboratories, private diagnostic networks, in vitro diagnostics industry, public health laboratories.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Develops advanced diagnostic mycology knowledge alongside the quality, data and leadership skills needed to run a modern laboratory service.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Laboratory organisation and biosafety; Pre-analytical quality; Overview of microscopy and histopathology; Culture-based identification.
- Put them into practice: Antigen and biomarker testing; PCR and molecular assays; MALDI-TOF and sequencing; Antifungal susceptibility testing.
- Apply everything to a real case: Quality management and accreditation; Laboratory data and informatics; Team leadership and training; Capstone project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Design and manage efficient, safe mycology laboratory workflows.
- Select, validate and interpret advanced diagnostic methods for fungi.
- Implement quality management and accreditation requirements.
- Use laboratory data to monitor performance and support surveillance.
- Lead and train laboratory teams through service change.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Senior laboratory scientists and aspiring lab managers.
4.2Entry requirements
A previous Fungaris course or diploma in laboratory mycology, or several years of experience in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory, is expected.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Laboratory manager or section lead
- Senior biomedical scientist in diagnostic mycology
- Quality manager in a diagnostic laboratory
- Laboratory informatics lead
- Technical director for diagnostics companies
- Training and education lead for laboratory staff
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Laboratory organisation and biosafety | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 02 | Pre-analytical quality | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 03 | Overview of microscopy and histopathology | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 04 | Culture-based identification | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 05 | Antigen and biomarker testing | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 06 | PCR and molecular assays | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 07 | MALDI-TOF and sequencing | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 08 | Antifungal susceptibility testing | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 09 | Quality management and accreditation | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 10 | Laboratory data and informatics | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 11 | Team leadership and training | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 12 | Capstone project | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| Total | 432 |
12 modules × 36 hours = 432 hours: 80 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Service models and workflow design
- Biosafety management
- Resourcing and capacity
- Requesting and specimen quality
- Transport and stability
- Pre-analytical error reduction
- Advanced microscopy
- Fungi in histopathology
- Correlating microscopy with culture
- Advanced yeast identification
- Advanced mould identification
- Rare and emerging species
- Galactomannan and beta-D-glucan
- Cryptococcal and other antigens
- Algorithms combining biomarkers
- Assay design and selection
- Verification and validation
- Interpreting molecular results
- MALDI-TOF library management
- Sequencing for identification
- Reporting novel or unusual isolates
- Reference methods
- Commercial methods
- Interpretation and reporting
- Quality management systems
- Accreditation standards
- Audit and corrective actions
- Laboratory information systems
- Data quality and dashboards
- Supporting surveillance
- Leading laboratory teams
- Competency-based training
- Managing change
- Service development proposal
- Supervised development
- Presentation and review
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A capstone service development plan, such as introducing a new fungal diagnostic pathway, supported by data and implementation steps.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 11 hours a week for 40 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, applied exercises in each module and a capstone project supervised and reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the One Health school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Master Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
- A short CV or a description of your experience in the field.
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 1 February 2027 is open until 25 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £2,520
- Full payment before the start: £2,016 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£1,008) and 10 monthly instalments of £151.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Master in Fungal Diagnostics and Laboratory Leadership?
A previous Fungaris course or diploma in laboratory mycology, or several years of experience in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory, is expected.
How is Master in Fungal Diagnostics and Laboratory Leadership taught?
Live online, in 12 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, applied exercises in each module and a capstone project supervised and reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A capstone service development plan, such as introducing a new fungal diagnostic pathway, supported by data and implementation steps.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).