Biotechnology MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Biotechnology
Changing demographics and growing demand for food, fuel, agricultural and environmental sustainability are among the key challenges the world faces today. In this Biotechnology MSc, you will:
- learn cutting-edge research and development skills to enable the creation of new products and services
- investigate and analyse the economic basis for current biotechnology structures and areas of future demand, including the global pharmaceutical industry and carbon sequestration
- learn how technology can be applied to solve pressing real-world biological problems
- explore and develop the skills and expertise needed for future developments in biotechnology
Is this MSc for Me?
This MSc investigates both the scientific and the economic basis for current biotechnologies and considers areas where future demand is likely to come from. It offers an opportunity to enhance your knowledge, research and business development skills using biological principles and systems to create new products, services and industries.
This programme consists of two semesters of taught courses followed by a research project or industrial placement, leading to a dissertation. The core taught courses cover the key areas of biotechnology and its future development, while a broad range of options is available to allow individual students to tailor their programme based on interests and career aims. The courses are taught by staff from across the University, as well as external experts and industry specialists.
Research and laboratory work
There will be a significant practical element to the programme. You will work in a biotechnology laboratory and learn how experimental technology is designed and operated in the context of real-world biotechnological questions.
Industrial and field visits are an integral part of some of these courses.
Research project or industrial placement
Your dissertation can be completed within a university research laboratory or an industrial placement.
You can work with employers in the thriving Scottish biotechnology sector in areas such as medical biotechnology, bioenergy or industrial processes.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Biotechnology | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
During this programme, you will:
- examine the key role of innovation in biotechnological industries
- learn the skill of how environmental samples can be collected and how to undertake analysis using molecular techniques
- develop high-level research skills, practical industrial experience, experience in literature and data evaluation experiment planning and design
- become highly proficient in:
- practical experimentation
- data analysis
- data recording
- data interpretation skills
- explore and analyse the biological and technological principles which govern actual and potential bio-business
- develop strong skills in scientific writing through a diverse selection of in-course assessments
The programme will open up a wide variety of career opportunities, Including:
- further study at PhD level
- industrial research and development
- manufacturing and quality control
- entrepreneurship and business development
Our Careers Service will support you throughout your time studying with us and for 2 years after your course finishes. They can provide:
- tailored advice
- individual guidance and personal assistance
- internship and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
- access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network
Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with a strong background in biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, chemistry, pharmacy, chemical engineering, plant sciences or related sciences, with evidence of quantitative and computer science skills.
Students from China
This degree is Band C.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Deposit
If you receive an offer of admission you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.
- £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)
Any applicants who are required to pay will receive an offer with full details.
Find out more about tuition fee deposits:
Living costs
You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.
Tuition fees
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Biotechnology | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Programme Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 8643
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Biology Teaching Organisation
- School of Biological Sciences
- James Clerk Maxwell Building
- The King's Buildings Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH9 3FD
- Programme: Biotechnology
- School: Biological Sciences
- College: Science & Engineering
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Biotechnology - 1 Year (Full-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
8 September 2025 | 31 May 2025 |
Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines.
We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.
We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline.
We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.
If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:
- your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know, or
- your application is still being considered, will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline and we’ll be in touch once a decision is made
Selection Deadlines
Round | Application Deadline | Decisions made or applications rolled to the next deadline |
---|---|---|
1 | 15 December | 1 March |
2 | 31 March | 31 May |
3 | 31 May | 31 July |
You must submit one reference with your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Programme Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 8643
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Biology Teaching Organisation
- School of Biological Sciences
- James Clerk Maxwell Building
- The King's Buildings Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH9 3FD
- Programme: Biotechnology
- School: Biological Sciences
- College: Science & Engineering