Biotechnology MSci/BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Degree with foundation year
Lab experiment showing a hand with gloves and tube grown plants

Study how biotechnology is applied in health, agriculture and environmental contexts. Develop scientific knowledge and practical lab skills, with opportunities to focus on areas such as molecular biology, industrial biotechnology or vaccinology through project work

Course option

Year of entry

2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MSci:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

B947 / B948

Start date

September 2026


Course overview

Study a lab-focused course that blends theory with hands-on experience, helping you develop scientific, analytical and communication skills that could be useful in solving real-world challenges and preparing for diverse roles in biotechnology.

  • Build foundations: explore how life works from the smallest molecules to whole-body systems. Learn about DNA and RNA, how genes are switched on and off, and how cells use energy. Study about bioinformatics, using maths and statistics to analyse real biological data.
  • Real-world focus: understand how biotechnology helps create safe, sustainable food, clean up pollution, produce useful materials on a large scale and develop greener solutions for the environment.
  • Explore cutting-edge topics: learn about areas like genomics, personalised medicine, CRISPR and gene therapy in disease treatment. Learn how biotech breakthroughs are brought to market, and develop skills in areas including computational biology.
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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 2026

Why you should study this course

  • Learn digital and analytical skills: develop bioinformatics and computational biology skills, learning how to analyse large data sets, interpret omics data and use programming tools to support breakthroughs in genomics and personalised medicine.
  • Study the science that’s changing lives: from tackling antibiotic resistance to advancing cancer therapies, explore how biotechnology is solving real-world health and environmental challenges, preparing you for a meaningful career at the forefront of innovation.
  • Opt for the master’s route: you may choose to extend your studies with the MSci route (subject to meeting progression requirements). Deepen your expertise with a final year focused on advanced research, which could give you an edge when applying for specialist roles.
  • Contemporary facilities: apply theory through lab sessions and projects, giving you real-world experience with techniques like PCR, gene editing (CRISPR) and cell culture which are vital in research and industry.4
  • Learn from research-active experts and global case studies: learn from academic staff with industry experience in biotech research (staff may be subject to change). Study real-world examples from around the world, helping you understand how innovation works in different regulatory, ethical and commercial environments.
  • The MSci course integrates two International Certificate of Digital Literacy (ICDL) modules: Data Analytics and Big Data. These will be taken within the Laboratory and Data Analysis Skills and the Theoretical Principles for Laboratory Scientists MSci modules, respectively. You will be awarded an ICDL certificate and electronic badge on successful completion of each ICDL module.

What you'll study

Explore the science behind DNA, cells and microbes in your first year, then dive into real-world biotechnology in years two and three of the BSc (Hons) course, covering areas like healthcare innovation, environmental sustainability and industrial bioproduction.

You may choose to extend your knowledge further with an integrated MSci year (subject to meeting progression requirements), where you’ll specialise in areas such as molecular biology, industrial and environmental biotech, or vaccinology and immunotherapy.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

  • Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)
  • Biotechnology BSc (Hons)
  • Human Biosciences BSc (Hons)
  • Pharmacology BSc (Hons)

Modules

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

Modules

In your MSci year, you will study the following two modules as well as the modules in one of three specialist areas: industrial and environmental biotechnology, molecular biology, or vaccinology and immunotherapy.

Availability of optional routes may vary depending on student demand.

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

Teaching and learning methods may include:

  • lectures
  • case studies
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • presentations
  • group projects
  • workshops
  • practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

  • presentations
  • group projects
  • portfolios
  • laboratory reports
  • laboratory competencies
  • tests
  • portfolio of media products
  • independent research project.

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


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 120
A level BBB to include Biology. Excludes General Studies
GCSE GCSE maths, English and two sciences at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
BTEC DDM in the BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in a Biological Science subject. Excludes Health and Social Care.
IB Diploma 32 points to include 5 points in Biology at Higher Level.
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits above Merit of which 15 must be at Distinction in Biology units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

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.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation pathway. Upon successful completion this should provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

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.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 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.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man TBC per year Not available
EU TBC per year with EU Support Bursary**
TBC per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International TBC per year Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

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

This course uses a variety of contemporary facilities, providing you with the ability to put theory into practice.4

Alison Gingell Building on a sunny day

Alison Gingell Building

The Alison Gingell Building is home to microbiology, cell culture, molecular biology/genetics, biochemistry and forensic science laboratories, allowing you to work in a replicated professional environment from day one.

Laboratory with people wearing white coats taking samples

SuperLab

Our SuperLab has facilities for cell culture and equipment for microscopy, DNA, RNA and protein analysis, and forensic testing.

 

 

Blonde lady wearing a lab white suite looking into a dish

Analytical Chemistry Suite

This is where our students apply their 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.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

Graduates with a Biotechnology BSc (Hons)/MSci are well-positioned for roles in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, industrial and agricultural sectors as well as research and academia.

Potential career paths include:

  • research and development
  • process engineering
  • quality control
  • regulatory affairs
  • microbiologist
  • technical sales representative
  • bioremediation
  • environmental consulting
  • environmental policy
  • sustainable development
  • government agencies
  • non-profit organisations
  • medical writing
  • scientific consultancy
  • entrepreneur
  • post graduate studies
  • PhD
  • academia.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

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