Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance
This programme responds to the rapid growth in the global bioeconomy by providing the core knowledge and skills needed to compete in a rapidly evolving, highly skilled workforce.
The Masters in Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance (MSc MBIG) is an innovative and dynamic postgraduate qualification designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled people in the growing global bioeconomy.
The MSc MBIG programme responds to a number of key challenges:
- developing innovations in life science responsibly
- identifying and exploiting value throughout innovation ecosystems
- bringing new technologies to existing and emerging markets
To meet these modern challenges, MSc MBIG provides you with a dynamic set of competencies, and knowledge about life science innovation, as highly desired by prospective employers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
MSc MBIG enables its graduates to take an active role in the workforce, contributing to development of the bioeconomy in industry, policy, regulatory, not-for-profit or academic capacities. You learn how to respond to globally important challenges by contributing to innovative developments in, for example:
- healthcare
- agriculture and other land uses
- energy
- industrial biotechnology and environmental remediation in developed and developing economies.
Our programme takes a qualitative approach and teaches customised methods to deal with complex issues such as:
- foresight and innovation systems analysis
- strategic decision making in companies
- value chain analysis and business model development
- product and process regulation
- ensuring ‘responsibility’ in research and innovation
Areas covered by the programme
Areas covered by the programme include:
- agricultural biotechnology
- sustainable food and animal production
- synthetic biology
- pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial resistance
- stratified medicine
- industrial biotechnology
- genetic databases
- biofuels and energy-related developments
MSc MBIG graduates will excel in strategic thinking that brings globally contextualised solutions to practical problems relating to:
- innovation and firm strategy
- policy and regulation
- collaborative R&D models
- governance and intellectual property
You benefit from the programme's unique position within the University. MSc MBIG benefits from its strong association with the Innogen Institute - a research institute renowned for its interdisciplinary study of the life sciences, proximity to world-leading science and medicine, government, and key policymakers; and long-standing collaborations with commercial and not-for-profit sectors within the bioeconomy.
The programme is delivered by the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS) subject group within the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science, allowing you to take full advantage of the vibrant community at one of Europe's leading centres for social science research.
More programme details
You can find more details about this programme, including student testimonials and suggested reading recommendations, on the programme webpage:
The MSc MBIG programme is offered as a one-year full-time programme.
The programme draws upon real life case studies and the latest research findings from the Innogen Institute.
Experiential learning is encouraged, and is accomplished through:
- problem-based group work activities
- presentations
- interactive seminars
- conventional lectures
Courses
You will complete four core courses (80 credits) and a selection of optional courses (40 credits).
Core courses
- Innovation Systems and Risk Management (20 credits)
This course is designed to introduce you to concepts and methods at the centre of contemporary studies of technological change and innovation including technological systems, industrial clusters and sectoral, regional, technological and national innovation systems.
- Delivering the Circular Economy and Bioeconomy (20 credits)
This course introduces the concept of the circular economy and the role of the bioeconomy in delivering it for applications in agriculture, health, energy and manufacturing sectors. It teaches a 'total systems approach' to managing the interactions across a broad range of components to deliver, where appropriate, a viable circular bioeconomy.
- Innovation in Sustainable Food Systems (20 credits)
This course considers sustainable food systems and food security from a wide range of perspectives, examining farming as a social practice, as commercial food production, as a contribution and challenge to environmental policy, and as an integral part of sustainable and healthy consumption. Innovation is examined in both its scientific and social aspects.
- Biobusiness (20 credits)
This course provides you with a comprehensive overview of and the ability to assess how innovation in the life sciences is changing production methods, industrial structures, market dynamics and strategic decision making.
Dissertation
You will also be required to write a 15,000 word dissertation which is worth 60 credits. The dissertation can be a conventional academic dissertation or a placement-based project.
Placement-based dissertation
The aim of the placement-based dissertation is to provide you with the opportunity to work on your dissertation within the context of a workplace of your choosing, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.
The placements generally consist of eight weeks of research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas, from our network of contacts which includes:
- NGOs
- charities
- social enterprises
- think-tanks
- government bodies
Placements can either be in person, hybrid or undertaken remotely. You are also able to source your own placements subject to university approval.
Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and are by competitive application during Semester 1.
Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option via our dedicated information pages
Extra-curricular
The MSc programme offers you various opportunities to visit and undertake work with industry partners through field trips and the placement-based dissertation.
Students who aim to leave the masters degree with practical entrepreneurial skills are encouraged to apply for the Edinburgh Enterprise Award Scheme. This scheme which is highly complementary and runs parallel to the MSc MBIG programme, helps you to identify relevant skills and foster reflective practice. It is run by the Edinburgh Careers Service and Launch.ed.
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 | Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
MSc MBIG graduates will excel in strategic thinking that brings globally contextualised solutions to practical problems relating to:
- innovation and firm strategy
- policy and regulation
- collaborative R&D models
- governance and intellectual property
Basic scientific knowledge is no longer sufficient for building a successful career in the growing bioeconomy.
There is a high demand for trained professionals in this area, and this degree is an opportunity to impress prospective employers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors with expertise in life science innovation.
You may also choose to continue your studies and pursue an academic career in this rapidly growing field.
The transferable skills you gain in areas such as communication and research will give you an edge in the employment market, whatever your eventual career.
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.
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:
Tuition fees
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance | 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:
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Farah Huzair
- Contact: Farah.Huzair@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- Programme: Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance - 1 Year (Full-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
8 September 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including academic transcripts. If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements e.g. via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, please upload that evidence as soon as you have it.
(Revised 2 December 2024 to add additional application deadline information)
References are not usually required for applications to this programme.
A personal statement should be included with your application. Your personal statement should be focused and have substantive information about you and your ambitions on the programme.
This MSc programme is a conversion course, designed to help people change career direction. All disciplines are welcome, but applicants must show they have a personal interest in bioeconomy, rather than sustainability, finance or business management.
The School of Social and Political Science website provides further important information about applying for this programme. For full details, please see the 'Additional information' section on the programme webpage:
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Farah Huzair
- Contact: Farah.Huzair@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- Programme: Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences