The COVID pandemic highlighted the importance of microbiology literacy and the role of microbiologists in society. In the post COVID era undergraduate microbiology education while preparing students for careers of the future should also enhance their skills in scientific communication, as they have an important role as public communicators. Other factors that are influencing higher education more broadly such as generative artificial intelligence and reports on undergraduate education from international organisations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science, should also be considered in developing microbiology courses for the future. This presentation will focus on key issues for educators to consider in developing microbiology courses for the future. This includes the changing role of the microbiologist, emerging career paths in microbiology and how these are expected to impact microbiology education. Approaches being considered in an international study with collaborators in the USA and UK, in designing appropriate assessments for microbiology courses of the future, will be presented with the inclusion of relevant case studies.