Alternative Protein
Explore the intersection of engineering biology, food science, entrepreneurship and sustainable systems thinking in this exciting interdisciplinary field.
Gain key technical skills to design, develop, and scale new solutions for alternative protein production
Develop your expertise alongside external industry partners and leading researchers in the field
Apply your research skills to real world problems in the novel food sector
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year, 2 years
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
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Fees
£19,400 Home
£45,000 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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White City
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Minimum entry standard
2:1 in Life Sciences, Engineering, Food Sciences, Biomedical Science, or related fields.
Course overview
Explore the intersection of biotechnology, food science, bioprocess engineering, engineering biology, entrepreneurship and sustainable systems thinking in this exciting interdisciplinary field.
Develop the technical skills required to design, develop, and scale new solutions for alternative protein production and assess their market and sustainability potential.
This course will prepare you to analyse and solve problems towards developing viable and sustainable alternatives to conventional food sources, focused on fermentation, cultivated meat and plant-based food.
You will gain useful skills in data science, sector-specific technologies, research planning, and science communication before embarking on a comprehensive, 9-month research project.
This course is associated within the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein.
Subject to university approval.
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'll take all of these core modules.
Core modules
Learn core concepts in alternative protein production using engineered biology, and become familiar with cross-sector topics, challenges and terminology.
Learn data analysis methodologies and understand how to integrate these concepts into your research projects.
Become familiar with the breadth and variety of research in the alternative protein sector and develop your presentation, writing and critical analysis skills.
Explore a broad range of topics related to alternative protein research, engineering biology and related fields, relevant to your specific research project.
Begin the background research and planning for your research project.
For the Topics on Alternative Protein Research module, you’ll choose two optional modules.
Optional modules
Learn advanced imaging technologies as a powerful toolbox in systems biology and biomedical research.
Learn about the major classes of biomedical implant materials, including metals, ceramics and polymers, their use in the body and reasons for failure.
Learn essential skills to communicate your business ideas effectively in a variety of media, from traditional outlets to social media platforms. You'll learn about different audiences including angel investors, venture capital and grant-funding bodies, government and regulatory bodies, and the general public.
Learn the foundations of synthetic biology and how to build DNA programs that enable cells to perform basic sensing, logic, and biosynthesis tasks.
Introduces a range of appropriate mathematical models to model biological systems and analyse complex biological data.
Engage in an applied introduction to mathematical and computational modelling techniques in Bioengineering.
Analyse engineering principles and approaches towards the study of biomechanical behaviour from a cell to tissue scale.
You'll complete a research project supported by at least one academic member of staff.
Your supervisor will be an expert in their field, with a keen interest in your particular research topic. Your research project will be agreed with your MRes supervisor(s) at the time of application.
The research project provides you with an opportunity to develop advanced knowledge, and master experimental and writing skills on your chosen research theme.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures and tutorials
- Independent study
- Research project
- 10% Title 1 goes here
- 50% Title 2 goes here
- 40% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Group work
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Flipped classroom
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Research project
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Independent study
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Guest lectures
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may be different depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Coursework
- Practical
- Written
- 50% Title 1 goes here
- 40% Title 2 goes here
- 10% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Oral presentations
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Dissertation
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Written reports
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Practical training
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 3 closes on Wednesday 11 March 2026
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Monday 29 September 2025
- Applications close on Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 8 January 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 6 May 2026
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Decision by Thursday 2 July 2026
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
You are required to identify a potential supervisor, usually in your personal statement, due to the substantial research component within this MRes degree.
Before submitting your application, you must make contact with at least one potential supervisor to discuss your proposed research and confirm their availability to supervise you.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH10-01-06
- Descriptor: bioengineering, medical and biomedical engineering
- Supervisor name: Professor Rylie Green
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Fees and funding
Home fee - All Bioengineering courses
2026 entry
£19,400
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each 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 UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee - All Bioengineering courses
2026 entry
£45,000
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each 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 UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at Imperial help my career?
Build unique skills highly relevant to the vibrant and emerging novel food sector.
Work towards diverse career opportunities in academia, industry, policy making and entrepreneurship.
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Build a strong academic and industry network in this vibrant and emerging sector.
Further links
Contact the department
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 5146
Email: be.pgadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Sonja Billerbeck
Visit the Department of Bioengineering website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites 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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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