Metadata
Title
Biotechnology and Biodesign MRes
Category
graduate
UUID
9dfad38d31b047458fb406ee0aabd35d
Source URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/4868f/
Parent URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/
Crawl Time
2026-03-19T01:36:21+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Biotechnology and Biodesign MRes

Source: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/4868f/ Parent: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/

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Overview

Our Biotechnology and Biodesign MRes merges design and biological engineering expertise to develop new processes and products through biotechnological innovation.

Are you a science graduate eager to make a difference in the world? Our MRes in Biotechnology and Biodesign could be for you.

This programme combines innovative design thinking with the latest techniques in:

You will learn how to create efficient and sustainable biological systems.

You’ll explore the creation of groundbreaking sustainable products such as:

Throughout this MRes, you’ll be taught by industry-experienced and research-active lecturers at the forefront of their field. You’ll develop:

If you’re aiming for a research-focused career, or looking to enter the biotechnology industry, this programme will provide you with an excellent foundation. You’ll be prepared to address critical global challenges related to:

Our programme brings together knowledge from different fields, making it a great choice for science graduates who want to expand their expertise and research skills. If you're passionate about solving pressing global issues and making a meaningful impact, this programme is the perfect next step in your career.

How to apply

Quality and ranking

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the UK Government’s guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states. This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.

[## Funding and scholarships webinars

Join our funding and scholarship webinars.](https://belong.ncl.ac.uk/pg-online-webinar)

Next: Course details

What you'll learn

Throughout the programme, you'll gain an advanced understanding of the scientific concepts and practices that underpin industrial biotechnology, along with the principles of design thinking and project design.

You'll delve into the role of recombinant DNA technology in both fundamental and applied research and explore the significance of microorganisms in the search and discovery of commercially valuable natural products.

Additionally, you'll examine the impact of biotechnology in agriculture and commercial enterprises. The curriculum also covers statistical approaches to experiment design and its use in screening and process engineering.

Finally, you'll develop advanced practical skills in molecular biological techniques, including handling microorganisms and conducting data analysis.

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You’ll learn through a variety of teaching methods including:

You'll complete the 12-month-long programme between September and August of the following year. It consists of two strands:

You'll develop and complete independent research within the Biodesign cycle of ‘Design, Build, Test, Learn’.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

Additional assessment information

You will develop your own Biotechnology project using Design Thinking approaches to address a problem in sustainable development and the circular economy. This unique research project will follow the model of an annual research funding round, where you will develop your project idea, pitch it and write a project proposal. You will carry out experimental work and present your results via an oral presentation and dissertation.

Postgraduate student support

Our mission is to help you:

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

Our staff

You'll be taught and mentored by academics from these research groups:

Our research interests range from:

Our researchers regularly publish in high-impact general science and specialised journals. They also hold research funding from the main UK research councils, including:

Our research groups have strong industrial links and global research collaborations.

Philip Robinson Library (Student Texts Collection)

Your development

You'll cover the foundational principles of design thinking in the context of biodesign. You'll also develop skills in:

During the MRes, you’ll participate in research group meetings and the seminar programme within the school. You'll join a large cohort of PhD students, allowing you to experience a research-intensive study environment.

Course information: Disclaimers, policies and changes

Previous: OverviewNext: Entry requirements

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Academic entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or international equivalent in biology, chemistry, or related discipline.

We will also consider your application on an individual basis if you have a degree in a related subject not listed above or a lower/non-standard qualification with significant industrial or professional experience.

Qualifications from outside the UK

Select your country

English Language requirements

Select your qualification IELTSPearsonsDuolingo English TestTOEFLOtherPre-Sessional Entry - 6 weeksPre-Sessional Entry - 10 weeks

Previous: Course detailsNext: Careers

Your future

This MRes supports a route into PhD-level study. You’ll develop the research skills needed for advanced study during your course.

Careers

You will have the opportunity to engage with professionals from research, business and industry during the course. Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles including:

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.\ \ You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.\ \ We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Previous: Entry requirementsNext: Facilities

Facilities

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences has an outstanding range of facilities to support our research and teaching including:

Facilities in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences

Previous: CareersNext: Fees & funding

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Qualification: MRes Full time
Home students Full time: 12 months Tuition fees (per year) £14,300
International students Full time: 12 months Tuition fees (per year) £31,900

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

Find out more about:

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

Previous: FacilitiesNext: How to apply

How to apply

Before you start

Start Dates

The course starts in September.

Closing Dates

There is no application closing date for this course.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Deposit

All International students

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must pay a deposit or submit an official letter of sponsorship. The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. This deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register. You may also be subject to academic and English language qualification verification, confirmation of funds and credibility interviews.

International students who received an offer before 18 March 2026

International students Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who received an offer after 18 March 2026

All International students (excluding those from the markets above) who received an offer after 18 March 2026

ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme)

You may need an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate. You'll need to get this before you can get your visa or study on this programme. We'll let you know about the ATAS requirement in your offer letter.

Programme codes

Qualification: MRes Full time
Full time: 12 months Programme Code: 4868F

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

\ Apply Online

Previous: Fees & fundingNext: Get in touch

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Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8888\ Email: snes.admissons@ncl.ac.uk\ School of Natural and Environmental Sciences\ ncl.ac.uk/nes

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Book a slot with one of our academic staff for a one-to-one chat about your subject of interest, student experience, and more: Book now

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For more general enquiries, you could also complete our online enquiry form.

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