MSc Biotechnology

Join an emerging, high-impact industry and help to shape the future of modern biotechnology

Year of entry: 2025 (September)

Start date

September 2025
View semester dates

Length

1 year full-time

School/department

Department of Biology

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Prepare for postgraduate

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The ability to apply biotechnology to industrial processes is transforming the manufacturing industry. Not only can we create new and exciting products, but we can use novel techniques to solve long-term problems such as pollution and resource conservation.

This course combines cutting-edge theory with the practical, applied skills you'll need to become an effective researcher or industry specialist. In the Department of Biology, we have considerable research expertise in the application of biotechnology for finding solutions for three major global challenges:

sustainable food and fuel
environmental change
health and disease

Our teaching draws directly from our research, meaning you'll be working with academics who are leading the field. You'll also benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and expertise from staff in the Centre for Novel Agriculture Products (CNAP).

This course is an ideal next step for students with a BSc who are interested in pursuing a career in research or industry.

Research that matters

Biological Sciences is ranked in the top 10 overall in the UK according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest Research Excellence Framework REF results (2021).

£23 million investment

New investment in buildings housing teaching and state-of-the-art teaching laboratories

Course content

You will complete a mix of research-led taught modules, a group project, and valuable skills training to prepare you for the Independent Study Module, in which you will join one of our research teams to carry out a laboratory research project.

Modules
Research project

Modules

Core modules

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Research project

You will complete an independent study project during the summer, which is designed to give you experience in managing and completing a project in a cutting-edge research context.

This is an opportunity to further develop and apply your skills to a current research question, and specialise in a particular area or research technique.

Most students choose to complete a project in collaboration with an academic supervisor within the University, but you may opt to complete this project as an external placement.

You will have full access to our dedicated Masters workspace while completing your project.

Learning outcomes

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.

Learning outcomes for this course

Construct critical evaluations and summaries of scientific literature that demonstrate a deep understanding of the concepts and approaches at the forefront of research in Biotechnology.
Competently undertake the design of experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of data, and carry out research tasks in Biotechnology with autonomy and independence.
Evaluate state-of-the-art experimental and analytical approaches in Biotechnology, drawing upon first-hand practical experience working in research laboratories.
Work with a minimum of guidance and supervision as an individual, team member or leader in collaborative groups, and use their initiative and originality to investigate sustainable and ethical solutions to bioscience problems.
Critically evaluate and communicate Biotechnological research and its application in a variety of written and spoken formats.
Apply their technical expertise, practical experience and other transferable skills to a wide range of working environments including research laboratories, industries and enterprises relating to Biotechnology.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees for 2025/26

Study mode	UK (home)	International and EU
Full-time (1 year)	£13,300	£31,900

Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.

Fees information

UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.

Postgraduate taught fees and expenses

Additional costs

We will provide you with a lab coat and safety goggles. You may wish to buy other personal protective equipment (PPE) and any textbooks used in your modules, although the latter is not compulsory.

Funding information

Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.

Funding opportunities

Chevening Scholarships

We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

You'll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and small group teaching. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with academics, who will present a problem and demonstrate how their research may provide a solution. This will allow you to gain in-depth knowledge of current research and developments in the field.

Teaching location

The Department of Biology is located on Campus West - nearly all of your teaching will take place within the Department. The majority of departments, colleges and facilities are based nearby.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including:

written reports
data analysis reports
oral presentations
group project work
posters

Careers and skills

This course is an essential step into further research or a career in industrial biotechnology for students with a BSc in the biosciences. Around half of our students will pursue further study, while the other half go into industry.

Career opportunities

Experimental officer
Research analyst
Graduate purchaser
Business development executive
Ecological consultant
Accountancy

Transferable skills

You will develop the following transferable skills:

critical thinking
data interpretation
statistics
programming
written, oral and graphical presentation of scientific data and ideas

Entry requirements

Qualification	Typical offer
Undergraduate degree	2:2 or equivalent in bioscience. We also consider applicants with substantial industry experience. If you have completed an integrated Masters, this course is not suitable for you.
International pre-masters programme	Pre-masters from our International Pathway College
Other international qualifications	Equivalent qualifications from your country

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Qualification	Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic and Indicator)	6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR	B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT	7, minimum of 6 in each component
Oxford Test of English Advanced	136, minimum 126 in each component
Duolingo	120, minimum 105 in all other components
LanguageCert SELT	B2 with 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic	70 with a minimum of 65 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language	478-509, with 444-477 in all other components
Skills for English	B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic	61, minimum 55 in each component
TOEFL	87, minimum 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III	Merit in all requirements

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.