2025/26 entry
MSc Industrial Biotechnology
About this course
LJMU's MSc in Industrial Biotechnology develops the skills and knowledge required for a career in this rapidly expanding field.
- Unique in the North West, this course prepare to work in biotechnology (one of the world's top five growth industries) and other related areas
- Study on a course developed and delivered by leading researchers and industry experts
- Enhance your theoretical knowledge and gain hands-on laboratory experience
- Benefit from strong links with industry and the potential to complete an industrial-based research project
Developed to plug a skills gap identified by the Liverpool Enterprise Partnership and associated multi-national businesses, this programme balances theoretical learning and practical skills.
At the beginning of your course you will be allocated a personal tutor who will provide you with pastoral and academic support.
Further academic support is provided via embedded tutorials in the Research Methods module. During your independent research project, you will be appointed a LJMU-based Supervisor as well as an industrial supervisor if you are carrying out your project externally.
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Lucinda talks about the benefits of studying MSc Industrial Biotechnology.
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The MSc Industrial Biotechnology course provides a great springboard for a career within the fast-growing Life Sciences sector. The industry-relevant course content, coupled with hands-on lab exper...
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Go on a tour of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
By increasing your skills and knowledge, this Masters programme prepares you for work in the fast growing biotechnology sector.
You may go on to work and study in fields such as the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries, recombinant DNA and microbial-related research laboratories. There will also be the option to work in research and development, study for a PhD or even take up a teaching post.
The student experience
Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core modules
Advanced Biotechniques
20 credits
This module provides you with an understanding of some of the cutting-edge techniques and their applications currently used in biotechnology and the biomedical sciences.
Cell Technology
20 credits
This module provides an insight into the principles and practical techniques involved in the commercial exploitation of animal cell processes. It aims to provide an understanding of cell culture as a technological component of biological research and commercial exploitation.
Bioprocessing and Fermentation Technology
20 credits
The aim of this module is to give you an understanding of microbiology and biochemistry principles in industrial biotechnology applications. It shows how fundamental principles can be applied to industrial processes and examines the wide range of microbial processes and products.
Biomolecular Research Skills and Data Analysis
20 credits
The aim of this module is to equip you with the necessary skills to effectively search for information, critically appraise and analyse data, report scientific data and communicate research findings.
Principles and Applications of Synthetic Biology
20 credits
This module provides in-depth knowledge of current concepts and applications of synthetic biology and bioengineering in tackling specific industrial, biomedical and environmental challenges.
Advanced Topics in Biotechnology
20 credits
This module will generate a strong awareness of novel developments in the field of biotechnology and how these concepts could lead to real-world applications. It will also equip you with the necessary skills to identify new research areas that will impact the field.
Optional Modules
Research Project in Biotechnology
60 credits
This module provides you with the opportunity to conduct an independent, in-depth study of an agreed topic of research, carried out in an appropriate manner over a 12-week period.
Placement Project
60 credits
This module will provide you with the opportunity to conduct an independent, in-depth study of an agreed topic of research, carried out in an appropriate manner at an external placement provider.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
In semesters 1 and 2, most of the teaching will take place Monday to Thursday. The Bioprocessing and Fermentation Technology and Principles and Applications of Synthetic Biology modules each include a mini project these are essentially week long laboratory-based research projects, with one running in each semester. You will be required to attend the classes for the mini projects Monday to Friday. The aim of the mini projects is to help prepare you for your independent research project and is a key component of the employability curriculum of the university. For the Research Project in Biotechnology module (May to August), you will be expected to attend full time between 9.00am-5.00pm.
Teaching methods
The stimulating and challenging curriculum of this Masters course is supported by a structured lecture programme, tutorials, workshops, seminars, laboratory work and a 12-week research project with expert supervision. The programme is delivered by research-active lecturers with strong industrial links.
Applied learning
This stimulating course includes a 12 week, full-time research project.
During your independent research project, you will be appointed a LJMU-based Supervisor as well as an Industrial Supervisor if you are carrying out your project externally.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
On this Industrial Biotechnology course you will be assessed by: examination,
scientific reports, poster and oral presentations, paper reviews and your
project dissertation.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dr Femi Olorunniji
Programme Leader
Dr Olorunniji has a degree in Biochemistry and PhD in Molecular Biology. His areas of expertise cover biotechnology, synthetic biology, genome editing and protein engineering. Dr Olorunniji's current research project is on protein engineering of serine recombinases to develop more versatile and flexible molecular tools for genome editing and other synthetic biology applications. His research activities feed directly into curriculum design and delivery and he uses research-led and research-based strategies to prepare students for careers in industry or research in the field of biomolecular sciences and their applications. As well as teaching on the MSc Industrial Biotechnology programme, Dr Olorunniji also lectures on BSc (Hons) Biotechnology and BSc (Hons) Biochemistry.
I enjoy using relevant research-led and research-based strategies to prepare students for their future careers
School facilities
What you can expect from your School
This Industrial Biotechnology Masters is based at the Byrom Street site of the University's City Campus, which is equipped with new state-of-the-art laboratories housing a range of advanced analytical and imaging equipment to support biotechnology.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- a minimum 2:2 honours degree in Biological Sciences
or
- alternative qualifications, coupled with a significant period of relevant work experience
International requirements
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IELTS
- IELTS 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in each component)
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Other international requirements
- If you have applied to study a full-time taught Masters, MRes, MPhil or PhD at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate. Contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team for guidance
Further information
- Extra Requirements
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RPL
- RPL is accepted on this course
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.