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University of Nottingham Malaysia
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Course overview

MSc Biotechnology is a postgraduate taught programme that aims to address global challenges in the area of food security, reduce hunger, bioproduction and bioprocesses for industrial applications, novel drug discovery and therapeutic biotechnology. Students are expected to attend to all lectures and formal teaching sessions as prescribed. All lecture materials will be made available online through Moodle to allow students unlimited access to the programme content both on and off campus.

 

Why choose this course?

This programme deepens the understanding of fundamental and applied concepts in Biotechnology such as antimicrobial drug resistance, plant/crop improvements, genetic engineering techniques, bioprocessing, synthetic biology and bioinformatics. It embeds an expectation that students will undertake their research projects with an industrial partner, as a significant element of the degree qualification. This aspect would provide an invaluable real-life work-based experience and skills for prospective students.

Course content

Core Modules

  • Basic laboratory Techniques
  • Advance Molecular Methods in Biotechnology
  • Cell Factories
  • MSc Pre-Project (Yearlong)
  • Professional Skills for Biotechnologists
  • Industry-Focus Studies
  • Postgraduate Research Project

Optional Modules

  • Advanced Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
  • Advance Postharvest Technology
  • Genetics and Advanced Breeding in Crop Plants
  • Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
  • Postharvest Preservation and Technology 
  • Advanced Biochemical Engineering
  • Therapeutic Immunology
  • Cancer and Clinical Genetics
  • Epidemiology, Public Health and Health Informatics

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or international equivalent in Biotechnology, Agricultural Sciences, Microbial Sciences, Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genetics, Microbiology, or related life sciences subjects. Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

Applicants must hold a degree from a recognised university. We welcome students from all academic backgrounds and consider a wide range of qualifications. For certain programmes, prior qualifications must be in related fields. As part of the admissions process, applicants may be invited to attend an interview if further evaluation is deemed necessary.

Eligibility can only be confirmed upon submission of a complete application.

IELTS (Academic):

6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in each element)

TOEFL (iBT):

 80 (minimum 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking)

PTE (Academic):

65 (with no less than 59 in each element)
MUET: Band 4
  • IELTS (Academic), TOEFL iBT, and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than two years old.
  • IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
  • IELTS Academic Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and PTE Academic Online are not accepted.
  • MUET results are valid for five years from the release date.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Practical classes
  • Supervision
  • Field trips
  • Lab sessions
  • E-learning
  • Field work

In addition to lectures, some modules have lab sessions, some have workshops and some drop in sessions. Each module is run with the aim of providing best learning experience for students and module objectives are achieved by devising the most appropriate delivery and assessment methods.

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Examinations
  • Dissertation
  • Presentation
  • Essays
  • Research project
  • Practical write-ups

Modules are assessed by a combination of exams and coursework at the end of the relevant semester.

Fees

ResidencyFees
Malaysian studentsRM50,000 per programme
International studentsRM55,000 per programme

Funding

Find out about scholarships, financial assistance and specific research funding available to all malaysian and international students.

Scholarship funding

Where you will learn

Malaysia Campus

Semenyih Campus is 48km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and just 45 minutes’ drive from the famous city centre with its iconic Petronas Twin Towers. On arrival, you are immersed in the green jungle backdrop that Malaysia provides with wildlife, sunshine and campus lake.

The campus is home to our business, education, science and engineering schools, which sit alongside a sports centre, library and student accommodation. The University has everything a modern day student could wish for with the added bonus of being located in central Asia allowing you to travel further afield in your free time.

Public transport is plentiful with free shuttle services operating on some routes. Taxi/Grab services in Malaysia are very reasonable and used widely by the student community.

Careers

MSc Biotechnology graduates go on to work in a diverse range of roles and markets with job titles including the research scientists in institutes and biotechnology companies; lecturers and teachers; technical and sales positions in the biotechnology industry; intellectual property advisers; laboratory officers; advisors in management or consultancy, entrepreneurs and science writers, as well as administrative positions in oil palm state and other plant and food industries.

The University has an established Careers Advisory Service (CAS) that provides students with essential resources and guidance for career choices offering many opportunities to develop the skills needed to plan and manage your future. Our CAS will work with you to improve and maximise your employability skills as well as providing essential resources and guidance that will assist you with job/course applications. They will facilitate searches for appropriate work experience placements and connect you to a wide range of prospective employers or training opportunities.

Employers, both local and multinational, highly value our MSc Biotechnology graduates for their versatile skills and knowledge applicable across a range of industries. Many have also continued their studies at postgraduate doctorate level and upon graduation have worked as researchers and academicians in either public or private higher learning institutions. 

This content was last updated on 02 January 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.