Biotechnology MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
Students using science equipment

This master’s course is designed to provide the training and development necessary to meet the demand for highly skilled scientists within the expanding and global bioscience sector.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
18-20 months (with professional experience)

Course code

HLST180
HLST181(with professional experience)

Start date

September 2025
May 2026

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.


Course overview

Biotechnology is predicted to be one of the most important applied sciences of the 21st century and a key driver in the world economy.

  • You can choose to study the Biotechnology MSc or the Biotechnology MSc with Professional Experience2 – they are the same course with the latter including a placement experience.
  • Our course is designed to expand your knowledge of the molecular, biochemical, cell biological and genetic techniques underpinning modern biotechnology and how they can be used to solve real-world problems and benefit society.
  • We will train you in biotechnology research strategies so that you have the chance to gain an understanding of the nature of business based on bioscience knowledge and research, opportunities for innovation, regulatory requirement constraints, intellectual property and ethical issues.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Tailored to provide the training and development necessary to meet the demand for highly skilled scientists within the expanding and global bioscience sector.
  • Access to a well-equipped suite of analytical and biological laboratories4 where you will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience using industry-standard techniques such as flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography and confocal microscopy.
  • Research-inspired teaching with input from experts in our research centre for Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), which undertakes interdisciplinary scientific research through the application of biological sciences to understand life from the molecular level through to the whole body.
  • Guest lectures, usually from current practitioners in the biotechnology industry, laboratory research and other jobs in science in areas such as gene therapy, biomaterials, bioremediation, rapid diagnostics, biofuels and plant biotechnology (subject to availability)2.
  • Students enrolled on Biotechnology MSc with Professional Experience will undertake 6-8 months of professional experience, either externally or on campus2. Biotechnology MSc with Professional Experience aims to enhance employability skills, excite and stimulate students and ensure that they gain and develop valuable skills sought by employers.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

This course has been accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

CMI Chartered Management Institute

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

The course currently includes the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited1 module, Entrepreneurial Practice. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Further details can be found on the Professional Development module homepage. Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules, but is frequently reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.


Our Award-winning Green Superlab

With space for over 250 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.


What you'll study

Throughout the course, you will develop an understanding of the core subject areas in biotechnology, including cellular molecular biology, genetics, protein biology, bioinformatics, numeracy, statistics and computing, and a range of practical laboratory techniques.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course can be studied over one year as a traditional full-time master’s programme and two years part-time. It can also be studied over 20 months as an extended full-time programme ‘With Professional Experience’. This incorporates the additional professional experience modules, in which you will have the opportunity to gain experience throughout either an internship with an external organisation or with the university2.

Internships are subject to competitive application, selection, additional fees, and meeting any applicable visa requirements, will normally be undertaken for three to five days per week for 18-22 weeks over two semesters. Those unsuccessful in gaining an external internship will undertake an internal internship that is based at the university, but which may have some input from external organisations, depending upon the nature of the internship.

Teaching across all versions can include:

  • lectures
  • workshops
  • tutorials
  • presentations
  • practical laboratory sessions.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.


Teaching contact hours

In a typical teaching week, you will have up to 15 contact hours of teaching. Such contact hours are generally made up of laboratory sessions, lectures, workshops and tutorials each week.

In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 25 hours of self-directed study each week e.g. working on coursework assignments.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • formal examinations
  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • oral and poster presentations
  • reports
  • pProjects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Applicants should hold the equivalent of a 2:2 (2:1 for the professional experience course) undergraduate degree in Bioscience or Biological Chemistry.

We would expect to see the study of the following subjects in the final year of the undergraduate degree: molecular biology (e.g. recombinant DNA), microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

Applicants should hold the equivalent of a 2:2 (2:1 for the professional experience course) undergraduate degree in Bioscience or Biological Chemistry.

We would expect to see the study of the following subjects in the final year of the undergraduate degree: molecular biology (e.g. recombinant DNA), microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5. 
  • If taking the course with professional experience IELTS: 7 overall (with at least 6 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year
Request fee information
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £18,600 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £18,600 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year
Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

As part of the School of Life Sciences, you will have access to the state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building which features a number of innovative facilities4.

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a range of mock healthcare settings, analytical labs and research labs, all equipped with top-of-the-range equipment.

superlab facilities

SuperLab

Our SuperLab can hold up to 250 students at one time and has equipment that allows you to gain skills and experience with techniques and equipment that you will encounter in your graduate careers including biosafety hoods, flow cytometers and DNA sequencers.
 

Students in Analytical Chemistry female student using a petri dish

Analytical Chemistry suite

This is where you can apply your practical and theoretical knowledge to real-life working scenarios. We use a new generation chromatography technique to analyse products ranging from pharmaceutical agents, to cosmetics, drinks and toxins.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of Biotechnology MSc or the Biotechnology MSc with Professional Experience, you will be able to:

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and interpret knowledge and practice in biotechnology
  • Collect, analyse and present data using appropriate methods
  • Apply scientific methods to the critical analysis of literature, reflection, information searching and research methodology in areas of biotechnology
  • Apply scientific/clinical methods to conducting and management of research
  • Formulate and present a critical argument using a variety of methods (e.g. presentation, essay) that would stand up to critical review and scrutiny in academic and professional settings
  • Work safely in the laboratory, establishing fundamental techniques, and carry out progressively more advanced laboratory-based investigations based on competence in biotechnology, including microbiology, cell culture and differentiation, biochemical, molecular and analytical techniques that are particularly relevant to contemporary biotechnology
  • Design a research study, including demonstrating awareness of safety and ethical issues.

Within the life sciences, biotechnology is a rapidly growing sector, and it is predicted that the global expansion in this field will be a key driver in the world economy. This course is specifically designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required for a career within biotechnology both in the UK and internationally.

Many biotechnologists are employed by companies in the biotechnology industry, where they may be involved in medical, industrial or agricultural biotechnology research. They can also work for contract research organisations (CROs) or academic departments within universities on research projects.

The scientific knowledge and skills you should acquire during the course can be a useful basis for a career in teaching; technical and scientific writing (such as medical writing or writing for the media); clinical trials; drug registration, patenting or monitoring; medical publishing or other information services; regulatory affairs or sales and marketing.

Where our graduates work

Our previous graduates have gone on to careers in drug discovery and development, clinical trials development and governance within the pharmaceutical industry and university and hospital departments. Opportunities also exist for further study at PhD level upon successful completion of the course, which some of our past students have chosen to do here in Coventry or in universities as far afield as New Zealand and Africa.


How to apply

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