Program Overview

MSc Medical Biotechnology

The master's programme in medical biotechnology provides education in advanced biotechnological methods and their applications in medicine and health. Students gain knowledge of cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, cell biology, and bioinformatics, together with practical training in both wet lab and dry lab environments. They also develop expertise in analysing and interpreting large-scale biological data in a medical context. Graduates are prepared for research and development in medical biotechnology, including molecular diagnostics, disease prevention, and novel therapies.

Introduction to the Programme

This two-year master's programme includes advanced courses on tools for analysing biological samples in life science research and for medical applications in diagnostics and drug development. You will gain in-depth knowledge of scientific methodologies for comprehensive analysis of biological systems and their use in advanced healthcare and medical monitoring. The programme offers broad biotechnology training that addresses global needs in life sciences and prepares you for careers in Sweden and internationally.

Specialisations

You can choose between three specialisations:

• Medical applications of biotechnology, focused on biotechnology for development of new diagnostics and therapeutics
• Omics, focused on genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics
• Cell-based medical biotechnology, focused on engineering and applying cell-based technologies for medical purposes You can also tailor your degree by selecting elective courses across tracks and related biotechnology programmes.

Courses and Curriculum

Courses combine theoretical knowledge with practical training, from experimental design to bioinformatic and statistical data analysis and interpretation. The cross-platform curriculum develops expertise that is attractive to a broad range of employers. You will also strengthen your skills in problem-solving, project management, and professional communication. In the final semester, you will complete a 30-credit master's degree project in a research setting at KTH, in industry, or at a university or research institute in Sweden or abroad, allowing you to specialise in a chosen field.

Faculty and Research

The School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health hosts world-leading research in medical biotechnology, spanning both fundamental science and applied development. Research is highly multidisciplinary, integrating biology, technology, and bioinformatics, and is carried out in close collaboration with international universities, industry partners, and start-ups. Students are taught by internationally recognised researchers, many of whom are leaders in their fields and actively engaged in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Departments Involved in the Programme

The programme involves several departments, including:

• Department of Gene Technology
• Department of Protein Science
• Department of Industrial Biotechnology
• Department of Chemistry

Faculty Involved in the Programme

The faculty includes professors and associate professors with expertise in various areas of medical biotechnology, such as:

• Cecilia Williams
• Jochen Schwenk
• Christina Divne
• Anders Andersson
• Lukas Käll
• Pelin Sahlén
• Joakim Lundeberg
• Afshin Ahmadian
• Veronique Chotteau
• Sophia Hober

Application Deadlines

• 16 October (2025): Application opens
• 15 January: Last day to apply
• 2 February: Submit documents and, if required, pay application fee
• 26 March: Admission results announced

Future and Career

The integration of technology, biology, and bioinformatics with a clear focus on medical applications gives graduates a strong and versatile profile. This opens doors to careers across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries as well as in academic research. Graduates from the programme are well prepared for a broad range of roles, including research and development in drug discovery, diagnostics, and biomedical analysis. Other career paths are found in science policy, consultancy, intellectual property and patent agencies, or science communication. Many graduates also continue into doctoral studies, in Sweden or abroad, building on the research-oriented training offered in the programme.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is an integral part of all KTH programmes, and graduates are trained to apply biotechnology to long-term societal needs. Medical biotechnology contributes to sustainable solutions for human health, from large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses to the development of diagnostics and therapies. The programme aligns most closely with three UN Sustainable Development Goals.