Biotechnology (Sustainable Biotechnologies) MSc with professional placement

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Bath

Program Overview

The MSc Biotechnology (Sustainable Biotechnologies) with professional placement is perfect for students who want to use cutting-edge biology to tackle real-world environmental challenges. Over two years, you’ll explore areas like biofuels, microbial engineering, and sustainable agriculture, while gaining a full year of hands-on industry experience that sets you apart in the job market.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: You’ll dive into core and specialist modules while working on research projects. In Advances in Molecular Biotechnology, you’ll explore techniques like gene editing and microbial engineering and see how they’re applied to sustainability and medicine. Beer and Biofuels gives you practical lab experience in fermentation and bioenergy production, while Food Security & the Environment looks at strategies to engineer resilient crops. Modules like Broadening Horizons encourage you to consider entrepreneurship, ethics, and public engagement, and Research Project 1A lets you apply your skills in a real lab setting with collaborative group work.

Year 2: This year is all about putting your knowledge into practice. You’ll spend the majority of the year on a professional placement, gaining hands-on experience with a biotech company or organization and building your professional network. Alongside this, Research Project 2 allows you to design and conduct an individual research project, giving you experience in independent problem-solving, data analysis, and scientific reporting.

Focus Areas

“Sustainable biotechnology, biofuels, environmental biotech, microbial engineering, food security, molecular biotechnology”

Learning Outcomes

“You will be able to engineer microorganisms for sustainability, apply molecular biology techniques like CRISPR, design and analyze bioprocesses for bioenergy, and understand the ethical, economic, and environmental implications of biotechnology in a global context.”

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is developed with input from industry partners, ensuring your skills and training align closely with what employers in sustainable biotechnology need. The year-long placement gives you practical experience that directly enhances your employability.

Reputation & Employability

Bath is highly respected for life sciences, and the sustainable biotechnology focus prepares you for careers in green technology, bioenergy, agriculture, and environmental consultancy.
The professional placement and two research projects give you hands-on experience that makes you stand out to employers.
Graduates are well-prepared for roles in industry, research, or further study, combining technical expertise with real-world professional skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MSc isn’t just about learning in the classroom — it’s about doing. From the very start, you’ll get hands-on experience in cutting-edge labs, learning how to work with microbes, plants, and bio-based materials. In your second year, the full-year professional placement allows you to take what you’ve learned and apply it in a real industry setting, building both your skills and your confidence for a future career in sustainable biotechnology.

Your practical learning journey includes:

Biotechnology Facility: Access state-of-the-art labs for protein expression and purification, perfect for projects in biofuels and microbial engineering.
Material & Chemical Characterisation (MC²): Work with high-end tools like mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and electron microscopy to analyse biomolecules.
Milner Genomics Centre: Explore next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics, gaining experience in engineering microorganisms at the genetic level.
Microscopy & Imaging: Use confocal and fluorescent microscopes, flow cytometry, and other imaging tools to visualise cells and tissues.
Controlled Growth Spaces: Work safely in glasshouses and GM-regulated labs to grow plants or microorganisms for environmental biotech experiments.
Group and Individual Projects: Start with collaborative research using CRISPR/Cas9 in Year 1, then lead your own individual research project in Year 2, often in collaboration with faculty or industry partners.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this MSc often move into exciting careers like bioanalytical scientist, microbial bioprocess engineer, sustainability consultant in biotech, or roles in green-tech startups. Thanks to the full-year professional placement and hands-on research projects, you’ll leave with real-world experience and practical skills that make you stand out to employers.

Here’s how Bath supports you in turning your degree into a career:

Bath Careers Service: From CV advice to interview coaching, the careers team helps you connect with employers in biotechnology, environmental biotech, and sustainable industries.
Professional Placement: A year working with a biotech company lets you apply your lab skills, gain industry insight, and build professional networks.
Graduate Destinations: Recent graduates have gone on to roles like bioanalytical scientists, life-science data consultants, and environmental biotech specialists.
Industry Connections: The programme is designed with input from real biotech and environmental companies, keeping your learning aligned with current industry needs.
Long-Term Value: With your combination of molecular biotech expertise, sustainability knowledge, and professional experience, you’ll have both immediate employability and lasting credibility in the green biotech sector.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re inspired to continue learning, this MSc also sets you up for a PhD in Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Microbial Engineering, or related life-science fields. Your hands-on research experience and placement will make you a competitive candidate for advanced study.