MSc — 2026 entry Biotechnology
On our Biotechnology MSc, you’ll learn how biological processes can be harnessed to create life-changing products and services. From healthcare to agriculture to renewable energy, biotechnology can change the world for the better. Our course will give you the knowledge and skills to make a difference in this exciting and rapidly growing sector.
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Why choose
this course?
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the biotechnology industry, from applications of biotechnology in the lab to commercialisation in business and non-conventional uses of biotech in the future.
- Learn from academics across the University who are experts in biosciences, chemistry and chemical engineering, business, sustainability, and people-centred AI.
- Access our multimillion-pound biosciences and chemical engineering facilities, including labs with bioanalytical equipment and bioreactors.
- Benefit from Surrey’s well-established advancements in biotechnology research, including the development of new bioprocesses for antibiotics and vaccines, and the bioremediation of polluted water and soil.
- Explore case studies presented by industry experts and develop skills that are in high demand by leading biotech companies – and take advantage of our proximity to the ‘golden triangle’ of biotech hubs once you graduate.
Statistics
100%
Of our biosciences masters graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA)
What you will study
On this course, you’ll gain a comprehensive overview of biotechnology, including how it developed into a science-based discipline and how it has rapidly advanced in recent years.
In your first semester, you’ll study the early exploration of bioprocesses and applications of biotechnology, including principles of cell cultivation, genetic manipulation and plant metabolism. You’ll also look at the legal and regulatory aspects of commercialising biotech, covering management and intellectual property, government approval, and ethics and public understanding.
In your second semester, you’ll explore large-scale bioprocesses and analyse model case studies presented by experts from the biotech and pharma industries. You’ll then look at new and future trends in the biotech industry, from the use of AI in drug discovery and waste upcycling to biohacking and electrobiotechnology.
You will also complete a research project on a topic of your choice. We’ll match your interests with the expertise of our researchers, ensuring you get the best support.
Research groups
You’ll be invited to join research groups in our School of Biosciences, including the Section of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Section of Bacteriology. You’ll participate in meetings to discuss research topics, findings and publications, and attend seminars and workshops. These are a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with current research and connect with researchers and experts in the field.
One Health, One Medicine
Our Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences implements a ‘One Health, One Medicine’ approach, which combines research excellence from our five schools to sustainably improve human and animal health. As a student of this course, you will be able to take advantage of our expertise in this area, in which biotechnology plays a key role. You may get the opportunity to network with our partners and attend guest talks by entrepreneurs within the biotech industry, whose work aligns with the One Health, One Medicine ethos.
Facilities
You’ll have access to fully equipped research and teaching facilities in our School of Biosciences and our School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Teaching and learning
You’ll be taught by lecturers who are active researchers, ensuring everything you learn is up-to-date and relevant to employers. These may include:
- Professor Claudio Avignone Rossa, a microbial biotechnologist with experience in bioprocess design for production of biologically active compounds (antibiotics, recombinant proteins, pesticides, etc) and for bioremediation of soil and water
- Professor Jhuma Sadhukhan, a leading expert in technoeconomic analysis and life cycle analysis for the development of sustainable bioprocesses
- Dr Oleksiy Klymenko, an expert in process design and modelling of bioprocesses
- Dr Joaquin Prada, an expert in machine learning and artificial intelligence for the design and analysis of processes of biological interest
- Dr Youngchan Kim, an expert in advanced biophysical methods and their applications in the analysis of biological processes.
- Lectures
- Group work
- Independent study
- Laboratory work
- Online learning
- Project work
- Research work
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including case studies, project writing, data analysis and computer simulations.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable during Welcome Week. In later semesters, at least one week before the start of the semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled for one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
The biotechnology industry is growing rapidly and there is high demand for skilled graduates, particularly in the UK which is a global leader in the field. As a graduate of this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in areas such as:
- Biotechnology
- Food technology
- Pharma
- Data analysis
- Environmental or scientific consulting
- Sustainable development
- Bioprocess engineering
- Research and development (R&D)
- Technical sales.
You may also wish to continue your studies by completing a PhD and preparing for a career in academia or industrial R&D.
100% of our biosciences masters graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA).
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in a relevant discipline, such as biotechnology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, biological sciences, chemistry, microbiology or pharmaceutical sciences.
Other relevant qualifications may be considered by the department on a case-by-case basis.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
February 2026 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £10,900
- Overseas
- £17,900
September 2026 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £11,300
- Overseas
- £18,600
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2026-27 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyPlease note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
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Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate taught admissions explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
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View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2025/26 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.