MSc in Biotechnology in UK: Complete Course Guide
Bhavya Rawal
MSc in Biotechnology in UK is a laboratory-based teaching program available with over 35 universities. The duration of the program in UK universities is usually around 1-3 years (full-time) and 2-4 (part—time). MSc in biotechnology aims at teaching students a broad range of topics that can help in solving real-world problems. The course offers advanced knowledge of underpinning modern biotechnology and molecular genetic technologies.
MSc in Biotechnology in UK costs around 23,700 to 43,864, which for an Indian student will equal around 22 to 44 LPA. With an investment as high as this, a higher return is expected. On completion of your MSc in biotechnology from universities in UK, you can be employed at starting salary (without experience) of around 25,000 to 50,000 GBP/year (23-46 LPA).
Two of the leading sectors employing biotechnology are Pharmaceuticals and Microbiology industries, both of which have a huge employment base in UK, allowing students to find the desired job. From 2021 onwards, UK has also introduced a two-year stay back on the student visa that will further help students to find attractive offers for themselves within the UK.
Why Study Masters in Biotechnology in UK
- There are around 450 biotechnology companies in UK.
- These companies account for 35% of drug development products in the UK and 41% of new drug development in stage clinical trials.
- COVID-19 has also brought the advancement of drug development and biotechnology in UK to the light. With Oxford University leading in making a successful vaccine, which is currently under trials (July’2020) it can be clearly stated that UK houses best-education facilities and advanced technologies for biotechnology and related fields
- London is one of the biggest hubs for biotechnology companies in Europe.
- Companies like Nightstar, Heptare, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, AstraZeneca, and more look forward to hiring graduates in biotechnology from UK.
MSc in Biotechnology in UK from Top Universities
Given below is a list of UK universities offering masters in biotechnology that are recognized globally not only through their rankings but also for their high-quality, research-intensive biotechnology programs. The table also discussed the cost of study, specialization available, and the duration of the program.
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| University | AWRU (Biotech ranking’20) | Course Offered | Annual Fees (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | #6 | M.Phil Biotechnology (11 months) | 43,864 |
| University of Oxford | #15 | MSc. (Res) in Chemical Biology* (2-3 years) | 26,405 |
| Imperial College London | #30 | MSc in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology (1 year) | 30,000 |
| University of Edinburgh | #37 | MSc in Biotechnology | 32,500 |
| University of Glasgow | #101-150 | MSc in Biotechnology | 23,500 |
| Newcastle University | #151-200 | MSc. Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology (1 years) | 23,400 |
| University of Manchester | #151-200 | MSc in Biotechnology and Enterprise (1 year) | 27,000 |
| University of Birmingham | #151-200 | MSc in Molecular Biotechnology (1 year) | 23,310 |
| University of Nottingham | #151-200 | MSc in Biotechnology (1 year) | 25,695 |
| University of Warwick | #151-200 | MSc in Biotechnology, Bioprocessing and Business Management | 27,160 |
| University of Leeds | #201-300 | MSc in Plant Science and biotechnology | 24,000 |
| University of Sheffield | #201-300 | MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology | 23,750 |
Note: There are a variety of inter-disciplinary related fields that are also offered to study at Universities like UCL (biomedical sciences, genetics of human disease), KCL (Biopharmaceuticals and biomedical and life sciences), University of Bristol (Biological Science and Bioinformatics), University of Liverpool, and more.
*University of Oxford only offers a full-time course.
MSc in Biotechnology in UK: Course Highlights
| Degrees | MSc/Mseng/Mphil/MRes |
| Basic Eligibility | bachelors with 2:1 equivalent scores |
| Language Proficiency Scores | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Standardized test score | GRE or GMAT not required |
| Annual Fees | 23,000 to 43,000 GBP |
| Recruiters | Heptare, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Nightstar, Autolus, Cell Medica, Mina Therapeutics, etc |
| Starting Salary | 25,000 to 50,000 GBP (annual) |
| Salaries with Experience | 60,000 to 100,000 GBP (annual) |
MSc in Biotechnology in UK: Admissions
Though pursuing education from top universities in the UK is a great opportunity, but getting admissions with these is not a cakewalk. The admissions are strictly based on the academic merit of the students and merely fulfilling the basic eligibility criteria does not guarantee admissions. The competition for admissions to MSc. in Biotechnology in UK is very high and hence, international students are suggested to ensure that they score higher than the minimum requirement of their choice of college/university.
The section below is an approach of detailing the basic and language proficiency eligibility for various top colleges in UK offering MSc in biotechnology:
Eligibility for MSc in Biotechnology in UK
The university-specific basic eligibility criteria, the score equivalents, and English language proficiency test scores that are required are listed below:
| University | Entry Requirements | Percentage/Grade Equivalents | IELTS | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | First or Upper Second Class (honor) Degree ATAS required | 70% BSc or 60-70% BSc Honors | 7.0 | 100 |
| University of Oxford | First or Upper Second Class (honor) Degree Interview Prior publications can help but are not mandatory | 70% BSc or 60-70% BSc Honors | 7.0-7.5 | 100-110 |
| The University of Edinburgh | Upper Second Class | 60-70% | 6.5 | 92 |
| University of Leeds | Upper Second Class | 60-70% | 6.5 | 87 |
| Imperial College London | Upper second class degree with honors in biochem or biology-related subject | 60-70% in UG honors with biochem or bio-related subject | 6.5 | 92 |
| The University of Manchester | Three years UG degree with first class in bio or related field | 70% or more | 6.5 | 90 |
| The University of Warwick | Second class honors degree | 50% or more in an honor degree | 6.5 | 92 |
| Newcastle University | Lower Second Class degree | 50% or more Indian students are required to have 58-65% in their UG | 6.5 | 90 |
| University of Birmingham | 4-year bachelors with first-class or upper second class 3-year bachelors with first-class | 4-year bachelors with 70% or 60-70% 3-year bachelors with 70% or more | 6.0 | 80 |
| University of Sheffield | Upper Second class | 60% or more in UG | 6.5 | 88 |
| University of Nottingham | Lower Second class in UG | 50% or more in UG | 6.0 | – |
| University of Glasgow | Second class honors degree | 50% or more in an UG honors degree | 6.5 | 90 |
ATAS/Academic Technology Approval Scheme
MSc in Biotechnology in UK: Cost to Study
The overall cost involved in studying abroad begins when you are still in your home country. Various expenses like application fees, student visa fee, and more are encountered when you are still making arrangements to study in UK. As soon as you are accepted by a university, expenses like tuition fees and cost of living in UK follow. The details of these expenses are catered in the preceding sections:
Pre-arrival Cost
The expenses like fees of exams required to study in UK and more encountered when you are still at home:
| Type | Cost (in GBP) |
|---|---|
| UCAS Application Fee | 20 (for single course application) |
| UK Student Visa Fee | 348 |
| Health Insurance | 260 |
| TOEFL Fee | 298 |
| IELTS Fee | 160-182 |
Tuition Fees for MSc in Biotechnology in UK
As for most of the universities, the MSc in biotechnology is a one-year program, the total course fees range between 23,700 to 79,215 GBP. This for an Indian student would range between 22 to 74 Lakhs overall. This is a hefty amount as compared to the cost of MS in biotechnology in India. For students who are on a budget but are still planning to pursue their degree from UK can look for the number of scholarships available to study in UK.
Cost of Living in UK
Securing a position in the top universities of the UK is the best decision ever but what can be apprehensive is the cost of living in the UK which is slightly higher. But we have you covered all the details of the cost of living to ensure a smooth study session.·
| Monthly Amount (GBP) | |
|---|---|
| University residence | 515-727 |
| Private residence | 505-848 |
| Leeds | 43 |
| Manchester | 47 |
| Birmingham | 45 |
| Liverpool | 45 |
| Bread (1 pack) | 0.71 |
| Milk (1.13 l) | 0.81 |
| Chicken (300 g) | 1.57 |
| Eggs (6) | 1.51 |
| Rice (1 kg) | 1.51 |
The graphical image below compares the cost of living on campus for various popular universities in UK:
Scholarships for MSc in Biotechnology in UK
To afford the overall expenses involved in studying abroad, students often look for funding options. One of the most availed options is scholarships available in UK for international students. Listed below are some
| Universities | Name | Amount (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Glasgow | Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships | 8000 |
| University of Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship | 10,000 | |
| University of Leeds | Biological Sciences International Scholarship (Master’s) | 2,000 |
| Dean’s International Achievement Scholarship (Master’s) | 5,000 | |
| The University of Edinburgh | School of Biological Sciences Taught Postgraduate Bursaries | 10,000 |
| The University of Manchester | Alumni Bursary | 1,000 |
| The University of Warwick | School of Life Sciences (SLS) Excellence Scholarships | 50% reduction of course fees |
| Newcastle University | GREAT scholarship 2020 | 10,000 |
| Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarships: 50% and 100% | 50% and 100% | |
| University of Sheffield | International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship | Varies |
| University of Nottingham | South Asia Postgraduate Excellence Award | 4,000 |
There are various other scholarships available to study in UK, such as Inlakhs Scholarship, JN Tata Scholarships, and more which a student can apply for to aid their studies.
MSc in Biotechnology in UK: Job Prospects
With a master’s in biotechnology, a student will have ample career prospects to choose from. With so many specializations available, opting for a job in molecular biology or genetics or drug discovery is the pathway to success. Following are the common designations held by biotechnology students:
| Designations | Salaries (GBP) | Designations | Salaries(GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnologist | 124,000 | Biomedical Engineer | 107,000 |
| Biotechnology Lead Data Manager | 108,000 | Bioinformatics Scientist | 164,000 |
| Biostatistician | 126,000 | Clinical Operations Manager | 143,000 |
| Molecular and cellular biologist | 138,000 | Pharmaceutical Production Assistant Manager | 132,000 |
In the biotechnology industry in the UK, there is a massive increase in salaries by 10% every 14 months. Top recruiters for biotechnology graduates in UK: Novo Nordisk, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN), Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Incyte Corp (INCY), Biomarin Pharmaceuticals, Autifony Therapeutics, Virion Therapeutics, GammaDelta Therapeutics, and more.
A master’s degree in biotechnology from a university in the UK will guarantee a student a bright future which is evident from the scopes and job prospects. The UK is second in terms of education and the student will even receive an ample amount of scholarship options.
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