General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). Candidates must have obtained at least a second class honours degree, or an equivalent qualification, in Life Sciences, Engineering or Business Studies (students from an engineering or business background must be a high class student and demonstrate an interest in biological science).

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• 7.0 overall with minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

The Fundamentals of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

This module will provide you with a fundamental understanding of biotechnological, molecular biology and genetic engineering to give you a clear understanding of the scientific principles and how these have been used to advance biotechnology and industrial bioprocesses. It lays the foundation for further in-depth studies of biological systems being, or with potential for, commercial exploitation.

Read more about the Fundamentals of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Biochemical Engineering - Bioreactor Engineering and Unit Operations 

This module will introduce you to the range of fundamental operations used by process engineers, who perform chemical and biological reactions on a large scale and separate the raw products into finished materials suitable for the marketplace.

Read more about the Biochemical Engineering moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation

In this module you will engage with the latest advances in innovation as they apply to industry, with an emphasis on the bio sciences sector. You will interpret and contextualise the mindset of a disruptive innovator through the use of Jobs-to-be-Done thinking, evaluate how digital and new media innovation 2.0 methods are transforming the innovation process more generally and within bio sciences specifically, critically assess how innovation programmes are designed and deployed, learn how to deploy creativity and de-construct the research commercialisation process.

Read more about the Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Bioproduct Plant Design and Economic Analysis

This module explains the integration of unit operations into functional and commercially viable bioprocesses. You will become familiar with the principles and methodologies of modern chemical plant design and will be introduced to the multidisciplinary, step-wise approach to the design project, starting from a conceptual phase up to the front end engineering design.

Read more about the Bioproduct Plant Design and Economic Analysis moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Project

The project is a stand-alone component of the MSc allowing you to experience, first hand, research skills, hypothesis development, hypothesis testing, data collection, data handling, data evaluation and result presentation.

Read more about the Project moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Drug Discovery and Biopharmaceutical Development

In this module you will develop a detailed knowledge of the potential for drug discovery and exploitation by the pharmaceutical industry and a critical appreciation of some of the various techniques in use. You will acquire an integrated understanding of the breadth and depth of medicinal drug design and productions.

Read more about the Drug Discovery and Biopharmaceutical Development moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Marketing Management

This module will provide you with a solid foundation in the essential aspects of marketing. You will understand the role and importance of marketing management within the wider business (and in particular the process, bioprocess and biotechnology business) context.

Read more about the Marketing Management moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Accounting and Financial Management

This module will provide you with an introduction to the key areas of financial accounting, management accounting and financial management with a focus on issues of particular relevance to managers in biotechnology and bioprocess based businesses. The module will also emphasise the role and importance of accounting and financial management within the wider business (and in particular the process, bioprocess and biotechnology business) context.

Read more about the Accounting and Financial Management moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Business Strategy

This module will provide you with a solid foundation in the essentials of business strategy development and implementation. The module offers an integrated view of the role and importance of strategy and strategic management within the wider business context and more specifically, the biotechnology/bioprocessing context.

Read more about the Business Strategy moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Environmental Protection, Risk Assessment and Safety
• Innovations to Prevent and Treat Infectious Disease
• Essentials of Medical Genomics
• Microbiomics and Metagenomics

Our optional module lists are subject to change each year to keep the student learning experience current and up-to-date.

Teaching

You'll be taught by expert scientists who undertake research in solving major global challenges in areas such as food security, disease control, bioenergy, systems biology, neurobiology and climate change. Also, external professional experts teach on selected modules giving a vital extra dimension to your teaching experience.

Teaching is typically by facilitated sessions, including interactive lectures, short Q&A sessions and small group interactive workshops/tutorials. Individual and team learning will be used for case study analysis and workshop activities.

Your project dissertation will be 10,000 words in length, non-laboratory based and generally undertaken at the University of Warwick under the supervision of an approved tutor. Your project will also include a 500 word Graphical Abstract together with a Research Performance piece. Every student has the opportunity to source their own work-based placement.

Class sizes

Class sizes for this course vary between 30 to 90 students.

Typical contact hours

Depending on the module contact hours vary between 15-25 per week.

Assessment

Assessments take place during or shortly after completion of each module and include essays, seminar presentations, poster presentations, short answer in-module tests and assessed group work. One third of your final mark will be derived from the project dissertation which is 10,000 words in length. Two thirds of your final mark will be derived from assessment of the eight core and two elective modules.

Reading lists 

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department. 

Additional Course Costs

All students in Life Sciences are strongly encouraged to buy a computer, at an approximate cost of £600. Students are expected to have suitable clothing for field trips, including waterproof footwear.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Graduates from the School of Life Sciences taught Masters courses have gone on to work for employers including:

• Pfizer
• Severn Trent Water
• Eurofins Agroscience Services
• Novartis
• Philips Healthcare
• Rothamstead Research
• NGO Client Earth
• Public Health England

They have pursued roles such as: research associate, science editor, regulatory affairs officer, marketing manager, business and financial project management professionals, environmental health professionals, agronomist, and climate change consultant.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Life Sciences Networking Event
• Careers in Science
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Mock Interviews for Life Sciences students
• Interested in Careers in Scientific Publishing

Life Sciences at Warwick

The School of Life Sciences is a cohesive, enthusiastic community producing world-class, high-impact bioscience research and teaching within a friendly and collaborative environment. Our internationally recognised academics are engaged in innovative bioscience research, working to investigate solutions to major global challenges. With 90% of research in the School of Life Sciences rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF 2021, the school is a dynamic and growing place for biological sciences research.

Our range of postgraduate programmes cover key global priorities and include interdisciplinary courses with modules delivered from colleagues across the Warwick community, including the renowned Warwick Business School. Study a postgraduate degree with us to hone your subject knowledge and enable you to gain the scientific skills and business acumen to develop your future career.

As part of our postgraduate degrees, you will be taught vital transferable skills such as research techniques and management, personal effectiveness, communication, networking, teamworking and careers management, enhancing your employability. You will be supported during your studies by a dedicated Postgraduate support team and a personal tutor who work within the School of Life Sciences, and additional support is offered, if needed, for English language and data handling skills.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Biotechnology, Bioprocessing and Business Management (MSc)
• Environmental Bioscience in a Changing Climate (MSc)
• Food Security (MSc)
• Medical Biotechnology and Business Management (MSc)
• Sustainable Crop Production: Agronomy for the 21st Century (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• MSc by Research in Life Sciences
• PhD in Life Sciences

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course