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Biotechnology (with Entrepreneurship) MSc

1 year, starting in September 2025

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Study in the rapidly developing field of biotechnology and learn about the business opportunities of bringing innovations to a commercial market.

This course will give you an in-depth understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of biological systems and how these can be applied to innovations tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. You’ll combine your skills and expertise in biotechnology with business and enterprise skills, developing an entrepreneurial mindset that can be applied to real-life biotechnology concepts.

Course specifics

Whether it’s scaling up the production of an innovative new fuel source, or making wearable devices than can detect disease, entrepreneurship in biotechnology combines science and business, bringing potentially life-changing products to a commercial market. Along with a core module in biotechnology, you’ll study specific modules giving you a practical and theoretical understanding of initiating, financing, and managing entrepreneurial ventures:

  • ‘Entrepreneurial leadership’, developing personal skills associated with entrepreneurship, such as self-reflection and evaluating motivation.
  • ‘Commercialising new technology’, looking at ways of developing research or lab-based technologies for the marketplace.
  • ‘Entrepreneurial finance’, giving you an understanding of financing entrepreneurial ventures.

You'll also take a unit focussing on the wider challenges of global environmental sustainability, giving you the opportunity to develop and use skills in teaching, media and communication, or public engagement.

Research projects

As a key part of the course, you'll undertake two research projects:

  • Research project 1 is a group project based in the lab working with colleagues on the course and using cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas 9 gene editing techniques.
  • The summer project is a more in-depth venture carried out in the School of Management, where you will work in a group to develop an entrepreneurial project.

Course highlights

  • Study at a Top 10 University on a course designed in consultation with industry partners to give you the skills employers need.
  • Gain extensive research, collaboration and practical experience by carrying out two separate research projects including working alongside a researcher from one of our world-class research groups in science or engineering.
  • Access our dedicated postgraduate labs, giving you the laboratory exposure and specialist skills required by industry and academia.
  • Get support from your dedicated Personal Tutor for the duration of the course and get help and support for course work from our friendly team of lecturers and researchers.

Career prospects

You’ll graduate with the specialist skills and knowledge desired by industry, ready for a career in research or roles outside of academia in bioscience, agriculture or environmental industries. You'll also be suited for careers in non-lab settings such as legal, educational or entrepreneurial roles. Our dedicated careers team is on hand to offer individual guidance and help you choose between employment and further study.

Recent graduate roles include: bioanalytical scientist, data consultant and life science conference producer.

Find out more on maximising your employability while at Bath.

Who is this course for?

This course is for you if you’ve graduated from any bioscience, medical, veterinary or related discipline and you’re interested in specialising in a career using biotechnology in business.

We also offer the course with the option to specialise in sustainable biotechnologies or healthcare technologies and we have an MSc in Molecular Biosciences with specialisms offered in microbiology, bioinformatics and medical biosciences.

Find out more about studying at Bath:

2025/26 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

In addition to the units studied during the course, you'll have access to online study materials two weeks before the start of semester 1, to help you prepare for study at Bath.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Advances in molecular biotechnology

    20 credits

  • Broadening horizons

    10 credits

  • Entrepreneurial leadership and personal development

    5 credits

  • Research project 1A

    15 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Advances in molecular biotechnology

    Continued

  • Broadening horizons

    Continued

  • Commercialisation of new technology

    5 credits

  • Entrepreneurial finance

    5 credits

  • Research project 1A

    Continued

Summer

Compulsory units

  • Entrepreneurial project

    30 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Laboratory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Online resources
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Essay
  • Online assessment
  • Presentations
  • Written examination
  • Other

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Overall workload

You should expect to spend approximately 35 to 40 hours a week studying on your course. These hours consist of structured activities and independent learning. You will experience a mix of in person teaching, that will take place on campus, and structured online learning delivered through the University’s virtual learning environment.

Structured learning activities

MSc programmes deliver taught unit/modules in the first and second semester, with the Summer dedicated to a dissertation. The second semester will have less structured learning as you will start to prepare for your dissertation. Both during the dissertation preparation and the dissertation, supervision will take place at times suitable to you and your supervisor.

Typically, you can expect to spend between 20 to 25 hours on structured learning activities per teaching week, of which approximately 60 to 80% will be in timetabled sessions on campus, and the remainder online. The hours of structured time are dependent on the optional units you decide to take, with more practical subjects normally having more structured time than more theoretical ones.

In-person teaching and online activities

Timetabled sessions delivered in person on campus will be a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratories. Online activities may include following a recorded lecture, or other learning materials, or joining a timetabled live interactive session through Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Independent learning

The remainder of your time outside these structured activities will be spent in independent learning which includes individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams.

To support you in your studies you will be able to access, outside of timetabled learning, facilities on campus and in Bath such as study spaces, computers, and the Library.

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a Bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a high 2:2 or above.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in any biosciences, medical or biomedical-based subject, such as biosciences, medical, veterinary, biotechnology, life sciences, pharmacy or pharmacology, or in biochemical engineering or technology.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK, you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Biotechnology (with Entrepreneurship) MSc

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

See the most recent fees for postgraduate courses.

Extra costs

If you receive an offer, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 when you accept to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register.

IT requirements

We recommend that students on the MSc Biotechnology have a computer with the current Windows, Mac or Linux operating system; iPads, tablets and Chrome OS are insufficient for some of the software we use.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information

  • Course title
    Biotechnology (with Entrepreneurship)
  • Final award
    MSc
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    TDUSL-BE01
  • Department
    Department of Life Sciences
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    31 July 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator
    The Office for Students (OfS)

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