Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
Aimed at those who want to improve the world through biotechnology, this course will equip you with the skills and specialised knowledge needed to embark on your career in this exciting and fast-moving area of bioscience. Make a global impact.
You'll gain transferable skills such as presentation, statistics, and business plan writing to set you up for success alongside subject-specific expertise in molecular biotechnology techniques and practical skills. Molecular biotechnology is a broad field that offers a variety of assignments and an overview of topics within biotechnology, so you are not committed to one specific area creating more opportunities for your future.
The Molecular Biotechnology MSc covers diverse aspects of biology, from genetics to modern R-programming, and helped me hone my academic writing and analytical thinking skills. This comprehensive learning experience deepened my understanding of biology and enabled me to secure UK government funding for my PhD pursuit, which I always dreamt of.
This course will run over 12 months in full-time-mode with taught modules and ending with a research project. Here’s what you can expect to study each term.
Learn from individuals who are undertaking research in the topics they teach, creating a very active research-led teaching component to this MSc. Gain a thorough understanding to be able to analyse biotechnological problems and execute solutions.
in the UK for Biosciences
QS World University Rankings 2024
in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine
QS World Rankings 2024
in the world for Biological Sciences
QS World Rankings 2024
Using a mixture of taught material and lab-based research, you will be provided with the skills and specialised knowledge needed for a career in biotechnology. Practical element will focus on fermentation, molecular biology, functional genetics and genomics, cell biology and protein chemistry. You will then go on to complete a major, supervised laboratory or computer-based research project.
Our Molecular Biotechnology MSc provides you with training in the skills and specialised knowledge needed to equip you for a career in molecular biotechnology in industry or academia. The course has been designed in consultation with experts in biotechnology industries.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year: 1
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
LM Pharmaceuticals and Therapeutic Biologicals from Bench to Market | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Biosciences Postgraduate Masters Skills Programme | 0 | Full Term |
LM Functional Genomics and Reverse Genetics | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Funding and Communicating Science | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Introduction to Biotechnology: from genes to products | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Research Project (MBT) | 60 | |
LM Research Techniques in Molecular Biotechnology | 20 | Semester 1 |
Practical Applications of Molecular Biotechnology | 20 | Semester 2 |
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
in a Biosciences subject, ideally including some molecular biology (including gene cloning) and some genetics as part of their first degree.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Full-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
You'll be prepared for dynamic careers in various science-based industries, particularly biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, which are experiencing global expansion. Our curriculum is developed with insights from a senior scientist in the pharmaceutical field, balances scientific knowledge with practical applications, including product development and business planning, to ensure you are equipped for the industry's current and future demands.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.