
Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology
Gain an in-depth understanding of modern bioscience research and acquire the skills needed to pursue a career in the field.
Gain an in-depth understanding of modern bioscience research and acquire the skills needed to pursue a career in the field
Develop expertise in innovation, entrepreneurship and creative problem-solving
Plan, conduct and evaluate a programme of original research
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2024
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£15,150 Home
£37,100 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
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2:1 in biochemistry, biology or an appropriate subject
Course overview
Understand the core principles underlying modern bioscience research and be trained in laboratory and research skills on this Master's course.
Diversify your expertise on a programme that explores aspects of biochemistry, molecular cell biology, bioinformatics, and entrepreneurship.
This course equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to plan, conduct and evaluate a programme of original research.
You'll also produce a tutored dissertation and a laboratory-based research project consistent with your interests and career aspirations.
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 complete the following core modules.
Core modules
Build your understanding of biochemistry, molecular cell biology, bioinformatics, systems biology and statistics
You'll become familiar with fundamental concepts of modern biology, including cell biology, genomics, proteomics, experimental techniques and data handling.
Analyse advanced concepts in applied bioscience.
Example topics that will be explored include structural biology, cellular damage and neurobiology in health and disease.
Further your knowledge of key biotechnology concepts.
This will encompass areas including industrial biotechnology and integrative systems biology.
You'll also explore aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship and attend weekly seminars from invited external speakers.
You’ll also apply the knowledge acquired from the course to a dissertation and research project.
Carry out a full-time dissertation followed by a mini-conference over the Spring term.
Undertake a full-time individual project in the laboratories of the Department of Life Sciences at the start of the Summer term.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Case studies
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Computing labs
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Practical classes
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Presentations and seminars
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Group work
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Virtual learning environment
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Lecture recordings
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Projects and assignments
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Tutorials
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Workshops
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Independent study
Balance of assessment
Key
- Dissertation and research project
- Examinations, coursework and practicals
- 60% Dissertation and research project
- 40% Examinations, coursework and practicals
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Written exams
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Dissertation
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Essay
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Individual research project
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Oral presentation
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Poster presentation
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Oral exam
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 2 closes on Friday 19 January 2024
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by midnight (UK time) on the relevant application round deadline to ensure that you receive the outcome of your application by the decision date.
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.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Apply by 3 November 2023
- Decision by 16 December 2023
Round 2
- Apply by 19 January 2024
- Decision by 9 March 2024
Round 3
- Apply by 29 March 2024
- Decision by 11 May 2024
Round 4
- Apply by 24 May 2024
- Decision by 27 July 2024
Round 5
- Apply by 5 July 2024
- Decision by 3 August 2024
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
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.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2024 entry
£15,150
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2024 entry
£37,100
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Your future career
Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in the rapidly growing biosciences and biotechnology sectors.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Graduates of the program have worked in industry and public sector roles both in the UK and abroad.
Further links
Contact the department
- Email: l.barron@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Giorgio Gilestro
Course Co-Director: Dr Tolga Bozkurt
Course Administrator: Lucy Barron
Visit the Department of Life Sciences website.

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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