Program Overview

Biotechnology MSci

Overview

Biotechnology is a subject that combines biological science and technology to develop innovative products by changing the genetic make-up of biological cells. Biotechnology impacts on the quality of our lives and the world we live in. Biotechnologists tackle global issues in healthcare, energy, environment, food, and agriculture to develop new life-saving medicines, feed growing populations by generating plants with better nutritional value, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing cleaner biofuels.

Course Structure

The course is a four-year integrated master's degree. In the first three years, you will be introduced to the fundamental aspects of biotechnology, genetic manipulations, and cellular processes relating to plants, microbes, and animals. In the final year, you will do a research project on ground-breaking research topics addressing global challenges.

Modules

Year 1

• An Introduction to Biotechnology
• Foundation Science for Bioscientists
• Essential Study Skills
• Introduction to Plant Science
• The Physiology of Microbes
• Introductory Physiology
• Plant Science Research Tutorials
• An Introduction to Genetics and Biochemistry

Year 2

• Fundamentals of Immunology
• Molecular Biology of the Cell
• Molecular Pharming and Biotechnology
• Professional Skills for Biotechnologists
• Research Skills for Biotechnologists
• Epigenetics and Developmental Biotechnology
• Analysis of Bacterial Gene Expression
• Bacterial Biological Diversity
• Virology
• Reproductive Physiology
• Applied Animal Science
• Structure, Function and Analysis of Genes
• Fundamental and Applied Yeast Physiology
• Bacterial Genes and Development
• Microbial Biotechnology
• Computer Modelling in Science: Introduction
• Principles of Animal Nutrition
• Structure, Function and Analysis of Proteins

Year 3

• Undergraduate Research Project
• RNA Biology and CRISPR Technology in Cell Function and Disease
• Biotechnology in Animal Physiology
• Applied Bioethics 1: Animals, Biotechnology and Society
• Omics: At the Forefront of Biotechnology
• Computer Modelling in Science: Applications
• Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology
• Genetic Improvement of Crop Plants
• Sex, Flowers and Biotechnology
• Current Issues in Crop Science
• Microbial Fermentation
• Plant Cell Signalling
• Virology and Cellular Microbiology
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Molecular Nutrition
• Molecular Evolution: Constructing the Tree of Life
• Technology Entrepreneurship in Practice
• Yeast and Fermentation Technology
• Plant Pathology
• Virology and Cellular Microbiology
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Current Topics in Development and Genetics

Year 4

• MSci Research Project
• Statistics and Experimental Design for Bioscientists
• Project Management
• Communication and Public Engagement Skills for Scientists
• Writing and Reviewing Research Proposals
• Molecular Biological Laboratory Skills

Entry Requirements

• Qualification: MSci Hons
• Entry Requirements: BBB
• Start Date: September 2025
• UCAS code: J703
• Duration: 4 years full-time
• Fees: £9,535

International Students

• Qualification: Master in Science with Honours
• Start date: September 2025
• Entry Requirements: 28 points overall or 555 in 3 HL certificates
• IB score: 28 points overall or 555 in 3 HL certificates
• IELTS: 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)

English Language Requirements

• As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.
• This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.
• Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

Visa Restrictions

• International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK.
• Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses.
• The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses.

Mature Students

• At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population.
• You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Study Abroad

• There are a number of options to apply to study abroad during your time at Nottingham.
• We offer designated support to guide you through the entire process.
• You can apply to study at the University of Nottingham Malaysia in your second year for a semester or a whole year.
• You can also study in Australia or Canada.
• We'll help you apply to spend a semester of your second year at one of our highly ranked international partner universities.
• You can study in France, Austria or Spain for an additional year between years two and three.

Year in Industry

• There’s a wide range of possible year in industry placements on offer.
• We have good links with companies, and our dedicated placement team is available to support you in finding the right placement.
• Often a placement year can help you to secure a graduate job and help with your career skills.
• Our students have been on placement with organisations such as GSK, Absenza, Mondelez, Azotic Technologies, and NV Biotech.

Additional Costs

• All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
• We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus.
• For more information, please check the equipment advice.
• As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.
• You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies.
• Due to our commitment to sustainability, we don’t print lecture notes but these are available digitally.
• You will be given £5 worth of printer credits a year.
• You are welcome to buy more credits if you need them.
• It costs 4p to print one black and white page.
• If you do a work placement, you need to consider the travel and living costs associated with this.
• Personal laptops are not compulsory as we have computer labs that are open 24 hours a day but you may want to consider one if you wish to work at home.

Scholarships and Bursaries

• We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.
• International scholarships

Tuition Fees

• The UK Government has confirmed that the maximum tuition fee for full-time UK undergraduate and Initial Teacher Training students studying in England will increase to £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year.
• The university will charge the maximum approved fee, which is an increase of £285 per year.
• For more information, please read our FAQs.

Assessment Methods

• We use a range of assessment methods, including exams, essays, verbal presentations, and practicals.
• You will receive a copy of our marking criteria which provides guidance on how we will assess your work.
• Your work will be marked on time and you will receive regular feedback.
• Your final degree classification will be based on marks gained in your second and third years of study.
• You must pass each year to progress.
• This typically means that you will need to achieve marks of at least 50% in each module.
• Full details on our marking criteria and structure will be provided at your induction.

Careers Overview

• Industries that need biotechnologists include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, bioenergy, green chemicals, agriculture, and food production.
• You can work in research and development (R&D), quality, operations, sales, and business development.
• You could specialise in one area, which could include stem cell research and regenerative medicine, microbial sciences and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, biochemistry, and plant science.

Job Prospects

• 86.40% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Science secured employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
• The average annual salary for these graduates was £27,834.
• HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts).
• The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology.
• The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.