Biotechnology with Placement Year, MSc
Combine theory with practice: complete a major research project and a placement year for real-world industry experience.
MSc Biotechnology with Placement Year is for students looking for advanced, multidisciplinary education in the rapidly evolving field of biotechnology. Covering a depth of knowledge in areas such as gene therapy, multi-omics, synthetic biology, genomics, proteomics, genetic engineering for plants, animals and micro-organisms, and bioinformatics, the programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. You will develop critical research and analytical skills, learn to solve complex problems, and gain a creative approach to the development and manufacture of biotechnology products.
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation through core modules in applied molecular biology, bioinformatics, research and statistical methods, and natural product biology and chemistry, all while undertaking an exciting, in‑depth research project that develops your practical and analytical skills. All modules incorporate instrumentation analysis using the latest technology.
The second year focuses on an industrial placement, giving you the opportunity to apply your learning in a professional environment and engage with state-of-the-art systems and practices. This experience enhances your employability and prepares you for global career opportunities in bioscience research, pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics, and industrial biotechnology, or for progression towards a PhD.
School
Location
Duration
2 years sandwich
Start month
September; January
2026/27 fees
To be confirmedWhat you should know about this course
What you will study
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
- Biotechnology Research Project (60 credits)
- Bioinformatics (30 credits)
- Research Methods and Data Management (30 credits)
- Academic English for Postgraduates (Science)
- Applied Molecular Biology (30 credits)
- Natural Product Biotechnology (30 credits)
Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
About the course team
Our programme team and other contributors to the course are globally recognised specialists in their fields. Colleagues from industry (e.g. Pfizer, GSK, Novo Nordisk, Merck/Proctor & Gamble) deliver guest lectures each year as well as industry-relevant teaching sessions and seminars.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:2, or above, in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or a relevant subject.
Applicants without a degree that have professional qualifications or relevant professional experience may be considered.
Applicants from other backgrounds may be considered.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
This course is taught by lectures, seminars, workshops and lab-based exercises, with the use of practical case studies. You'll gain teamwork experience to simulate an industrial setting as well as the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities which are important for modern biotechnology practice.
Class sizes
For specialist modules, our classes are usually limited to 20 students in lab sessions and 40 in lectures. This helps to create familiarity between students and staff and ensure a great learning experience. The modules that run across several courses can have larger classes sizes, which are typically broken down into smaller groups.
Independent learning
Our courses are designed to give you the space for exploratory and independent study. You'll work towards individual and group assignments and undertake the preparation/follow-up work associated with lectures, seminars, integrative assignments and laboratory classes.
We encourage students to take advantage of a range of related extra-curricular opportunities available within the university and elsewhere.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For the industrial practice module, you are expected to study for around 600 hours during the placement - around 13 hours a week in addition to the time spent at work. That is generally the minimum time needed for reading, note-taking, and writing to complete the material and assessment. If English isn’t your first language, you may need more time.
Assessment
Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, such as:
- Classroom presentations, discussions and case-studies
- Critical reviews, looking at new areas of research
- Examinations.
Feedback summary
University policy is to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days of the coursework submission date.
Examination results will be available within 28 days.
Dates and timetables
Each academic year runs from September to June. You can begin the course in September or January.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
2026/27 fees
To be confirmed.Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
International Scholarship Award
International students who hold an offer to study at the University of Greenwich could receive a tuition fee discount worth up to £2,500 in their first year, for students from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria or Ghana.
International Scholarship Award
Greenwich Progression Bursary
£3,000 bursary for home fee paying University of Greenwich final year undergraduate students and Alumni.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
The industrial year is an opportunity to put into practice the knowledge and experienced from your first year. The placement provides a valuable opportunity to work in state-of-the-art industrial laboratories. Combine advanced learning of leading techniques and processes with how they are applied in industry, all contributing to your professional development as a scientist.
How long is my placement?
An industrial practice placement should typically last 11 months, with a maximum of 48 weeks, and a minimum of 35 weeks (only if required by the student placement search process).
Mentors
A workplace mentor supports you throughout your placement year. Your mentor helps you to set objectives and goals and ensures you receive appropriate training.
You are also allocated an academic mentor, who monitors your study progress and arranges a visit/call with you and your workplace mentor during the placement year to ensure it is running smoothly.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Potential career destinations include Pharmaceutical, Agricultural, Environmental and Biotechnology industries and consultancies, as well as Biomedical and Intellectual property rights agencies. It is also a fine pathway to a research degree (MPhil/PhD).
Do you provide employability services?
As well as support from the Faculty of Engineering and Science Placements Team, the University partners with an organisation that specialises in guiding students to secure an industrial practice placement. However, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to secure an appropriate placement. This could be with a local or international employer in a relevant industrial sector. If a placement is not secured, it will still be possible to graduate with an MSc in Biotechnology without a Placement Year.
Accommodation
Medway campus in Kent
Our Medway halls of residence are all located on-campus, with facilities include an on-site café, launderette and bar. And the halls are located within minutes of the historic Chatham dockyard and Chatham and Gillingham town centres.
With student-run social events, modern ensuite rooms and communal shared spaces, you’ll find that living in halls of residence will be a highlight of your University of Greenwich experience.
Rooms start at £172.06/wk and include Wi-Fi, utility bills and 24-hour residential support. Our Medway accommodation boasts 350 rooms with 24/7 security, and resident car parking permits are available.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We allocate you an Academic Tutor, who you will meet soon after you join the department. Their role is to support your personal and academic development and act as your point of contact for queries or problems.
Support from the department
We help new students over the first few weeks with our faculty and department induction. This covers the first week of term 1 (September) and term 2 (January). We'll also help you discover the academic and social landscape at Medway Campus.
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