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Why choose the School of Life Sciences
Our students have won awards from both the Institute of Biomedical Science and the Biochemical Society.
Part-time option available to help you fit your studies around existing commitments.
Our Life Sciences Liaison Board features representatives from organisations such as Glaxo Smith Kline, the NHS and the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
About the course
In this Biotechnology MSc, you explore the latest technologies at the forefront of molecular, microbial and computational biology, gaining insight into their current commercial and scientific use while discovering how they can be applied on a global scale. With employment-focused skill development, hands-on laboratory experience and opportunities for real-world research, you graduate ready to thrive across a range of roles within this rapidly progressing field.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Modern STEM building with purpose-built facilities and bespoke study spaces
- State-of-the-art cell culture lab and analytical science suite
- Industry-standard equipment, including high-tech HPLC, FTIR and GC-MS machines and specialised facilities for qPCR and protein analysis
Industry links
Our Life Sciences Liaison Board works in close collaboration with industry-wide professionals such as Glaxo Smith Kline, Life Science Group, the NH and GrowPura, providing you with invaluable opportunities for work experience and networking.
Student experience
Our faculty’s strong links to industry partners and active involvement in cutting-edge research and consultancy feeds directly into course delivery, ensuring you’re up-to-date with the latest advances in the field.Ìý
Benefit from practical laboratory sessions and research-based projects, equipping you with both technical knowledge and hands-on experience.Ìý
Get involved in subject-relevant field trips to sites including Biogen, MSD-Merck, and Rothamstead Research.Ìý
Immerse yourself in interactive seminars and masterclasses from guests such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Pharmaron and GSK.Ìý
Take part in our annual STEM Careers Expo, which brings together employers and students through presentations, workshops and networking sessionsÌýÌý
Develop your transferable skills, including sought-after competencies such as scientific communication, statistical analysis, problem solving, and effective leadership.Ìý
Fulfil your potential with guidance from your own personal academic tutor.Ìý
Course Leader - Professor Prasad S. Sreenivasaprasad
My research interests in molecular ecology are focused on understanding the functional and environmental adaptation in fungi that play key roles in managed and natural ecosystems.
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- Key research areas include adaptive divergence, population biology and speciation
- Integrating phylogenetics, genomics and bioinformatics with microbiology, pathology and ecology applied from laboratory to field scales
Course Leader - Professor Prasad S. Sreenivasaprasad
My research interests in molecular ecology are focused on understanding the functional and environmental adaptation in fungi that play key roles in managed and natural ecosystems.
Ìý
- Key research areas include adaptive divergence, population biology and speciation
- Integrating phylogenetics, genomics and bioinformatics with microbiology, pathology and ecology applied from laboratory to field scales
What will you study?
Studying our Biotechnology MSc course will equip you with the knowledge and skills around molecular and microbiological techniques, as well as computational biology. In core areas of study, you will learn about the applications of Molecular Biology techniques used to analyse and manipulate DNA, RNA and protein, and gain extensive knowledge in the field of Applied Microbiology that will equip you with the skills to modify microorganisms to meet industrial and pharmaceutical needs. As an essential skill in biotechnology, you will be equipped with the knowledge and techniques to incorporate Analytical Methods in your practice. This will allow you to learn strategies for the separation, detection and measurement of components in complex mixtures.
Furthermore, you will be introduced to the concepts and principles in the development and clinical application of Biomaterials used to treat human disease and injury. This unit will expose you to the health issues associated with the development of artificial organs, plastic surgery, implants and bone reconstructions. More importantly, you will examine the biological mechanisms and clinical problems involved in these processes with a focus on immunological rejection. To give you an insight into how biology and technology come together in practice, our unit in Computational and Systems Biology will provide you with the knowledge and techniques to incorporate computational biology practise into your research. Here, you will work with biological data using computer software packages made for bioinformatics and systems biology and learn to interpret and present this information in the form of a hypothesis backed by research evidence. Finally, you will complete a Biotechnology Research Project that will give you the opportunity to undertake a significant piece of personal research which you will then present professionally.
How will you be assessed?
Throughout course delivery workshops and tutorials are used to support the development of academic skills alongside the learning and the assessment process. All in-course assessments are supported by timetabled interactive tutorial sessions with formative assessment tasks as appropriate. In addition assessments that are based around practical work will involve a briefing before and a session after the laboratory work to explain further the expectations of the assessment and support specific tasks such as data analysis. Examinations are supported by timetabled revision sessions and by workshop sessions covering examples of past examinations and the expectations of examination questions at each level.
To assist our learners assignment briefs a uniform set of information and a consistent set of assessment criteria across the course. At the start of each level students are given introductory session(s) that set out the expectations for each year. For entry points several sessions are used to provide guidance and support to students joining the University. These provide details of support for the development of academic skills and learning from the School the Study Hub and initiatives such as peer-assisted learning (PASS scheme). For students progressing between levels introductory sessions are also provided to ensure the students are aware of the change in expectations of learning and assessment. This will flag areas such as expectations for increased selfdirected learning critical thinking and analysis that are expected as students go through the learning process.
A key aim for the school is the integration of transferable skills within learning and assessment to enhance employability. Our courses build awareness of business applications of knowledge with assessments that develop practical ideas and employability. This is supported by the University's Careers and Employability service throughout the course. Students who commit academic offences due to a lack of clear understanding of academic integrity are further supported by being invited to attend academic practice guidance (APG) meetings with course staff to discuss the issues and to refer them to the university academic integrity resource (AIR) to encourage them to develop good academic skills.
Careers
This course will support you to seek a career in the biotechnology industries; pharmaceutical and food companies; academic institutions; health-related industries including the NHS; and other public-sector organisations.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International 2024/25
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International 2024/25
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
