Master of Biotechnology
Overview
Equip yourself with advanced scientific skills and the business, legal and regulatory understanding needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
Our Master of Biotechnology integrates practical scientific training with commercialisation and innovation, giving you a dynamic mix of skills that are highly sought after across biotechnology and a broad range of industries in Australia and overseas.
This flexible program is designed for scientists or industry professionals from business, finance or law with a science background who want to learn about the latest technological developments.
You’ll learn from entrepreneurial scientists who have successfully commercialised their discoveries in this rapidly emerging industry and receive hands-on training applying cutting-edge techniques in state-of-the-art laboratory and research facilities similar to professional working environments.
Select from more than 30 courses, allowing you to tailor your studies to suit your interests and career goals, and specialise in one of 5 fields of biotechnology study: animal agriculture, medical, molecular imaging, plant agriculture, or synthetic biology and industrial.
Put your learning into practice through internships, placements and international study options that focus on research and development, commercialisation, marketing and the business of science.
Program highlights
- An internationally recognised qualification accredited by the US Council of Graduate Schools (Washington DC) as a Professional Science Master's program.
- Learn from entrepreneurial scientists who have successfully commercialised their scientific discoveries.
- Choose from a large suite of electives in science that underpin new biotechnologies.
- Take advantage of UQ’s strong links to industry, government and the research community to build your professional network, skills and experience.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Animal Agricultural Biotechnology
- Medical Biotechnology
- Molecular Imaging Technology
- Plant Agricultural Biotechnology
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Research experience
- Laboratory work
- Workshops
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Commercialisation of Biotechnology Products
- Creativity for Innovation and Design Thinking
- Principles of Entrepreneurship
- Quality Management Systems in Biotechnology
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Depending on which field you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Nanotechnology and biosensor application specialist
- Diagnostic test developer
- Business plan analyst
- Pharmaceutical producer
- University researcher
- Venture capital consultant
- Plant breeding, engineering, cropping or horticulture specialist
- Plant and animal geneticist
Graduate salary
Science and mathematics (postgraduate)
compared.edu.au
Next steps after graduation
Graduates from this program can pursue a diverse range of scientific, technical or leadership opportunities in Australia or overseas, including in research institutes, biotechnology startups or commercial companies, biopharmaceutical companies, vaccine manufacturing, diagnostics laboratories, government, venture capital, IP management firms, regulatory or advisory bodies, or at top universities worldwide.
Our graduates have stepped into roles such as quality assurance manager, quality control microbiologist, biochemical engineer, biomanufacturing professional, researcher, policy advisor, investment analyst, production manager, entrepreneur, start-up founder, and more.
UQ’s excellent reputation as a leader in the field of biotechnology means it is well-connected to research institutes as well as biotech industries, so you can easily choose the preferred direction for your career.
I highly recommend that anyone aspiring to be a scientist studies at UQ, where you can learn all the essential skills, develop your critical thinking and establish valuable networks for your future career.
UQ offers so many opportunities to help students gain vital hands-on experience in their prospective industry outside of the classroom.
UQ’s excellent reputation as a leader in the field of biotechnology means it is well-connected to research institutes as well as biotech industries, so you can easily choose the preferred direction for your career.
I highly recommend that anyone aspiring to be a scientist studies at UQ, where you can learn all the essential skills, develop your critical thinking and establish valuable networks for your future career.
UQ offers so many opportunities to help students gain vital hands-on experience in their prospective industry outside of the classroom.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 2 years, 1.5 years or 1 year depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
2-year degree (32 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
- a graduate certificate or graduate diploma (or equivalent) in biotechnology, or
- to have successfully completed 3 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Biotechnology.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
1.5-year degree (24 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in biomedical science, biotechnology, science, bioinformatics, pharmacy or engineering.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
1-year degree (16 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor honours degree (or equivalent) in biomedical science, biotechnology, science, bioinformatics, pharmacy or engineering, including a minimum of one semester of full-time research (or equivalent).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Biotechnology are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
You’ll gain knowledge and skills in animal and molecular biology, genetic engineering, animal reproductive biotechnology, animal vaccines, disease diagnostic equipment, and more.
You’ll develop multidisciplinary research and business skills needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
As a graduate you’ll find research and development opportunities with animal breeding consultancies and companies, livestock industries, private or government veterinary animal diagnostic facilities, livestock biotechnology companies, and animal health companies, among others.
This field of study will allow you to be at the forefront of modern medicine. Learn about advanced biopharmaceuticals, cell labelling and tracking, stem cells, immunology, diagnostic devices, gene therapy, artificial organs and other aspects of innovative health solutions.
You will develop multidisciplinary research and business skills needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
This field of study will cover all key aspects of the subject, including:
- optical imaging
- ultrasound photo-acoustic imaging
- single photon emission tomography
- positron emission tomography
- computed tomography
- magnetic resonance imaging
- hybrid imaging technologies.
There will also be a focus on the role of theranostics — the use of imaging to understand and monitor therapy — in modern medicine.
You'll also learn about the latest molecular imaging probes, contrast agents and radio-pharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine, as well as the importance of quality control involved in clinical molecular imaging.
You will develop skills in your research training that further ready you for a challenging and rewarding career.
In this field of study, you’ll gain knowledge and skills in plant molecular biology, genetic engineering, nucleic acid sequencing, disease diagnostics, and much more.
You’ll develop multidisciplinary research and business skills needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
As a graduate you’ll find research and development opportunities with plant breeding and seed companies, government research labs and advisory bodies, agricultural diagnostic facilities, and more.
Learn how to create and re-engineer biological processes in living organisms. Develop cleaner sources of agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, designer materials and other innovative products across agriculture, health, energy production and environmental management.
You will develop multidisciplinary research and business skills needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
You’ll gain knowledge and skills in animal and molecular biology, genetic engineering, animal reproductive biotechnology, animal vaccines, disease diagnostic equipment, and more.
You’ll develop multidisciplinary research and business skills needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
As a graduate you’ll find research and development opportunities with animal breeding consultancies and companies, livestock industries, private or government veterinary animal diagnostic facilities, livestock biotechnology companies, and animal health companies, among others.
This field of study will allow you to be at the forefront of modern medicine. Learn about advanced biopharmaceuticals, cell labelling and tracking, stem cells, immunology, diagnostic devices, gene therapy, artificial organs and other aspects of innovative health solutions.
You will develop multidisciplinary research and business skills needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
This field of study will cover all key aspects of the subject, including:
- optical imaging
- ultrasound photo-acoustic imaging
- single photon emission tomography
- positron emission tomography
- computed tomography
- magnetic resonance imaging
- hybrid imaging technologies.
There will also be a focus on the role of theranostics — the use of imaging to understand and monitor therapy — in modern medicine.
You'll also learn about the latest molecular imaging probes, contrast agents and radio-pharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine, as well as the importance of quality control involved in clinical molecular imaging.
You will develop skills in your research training that further ready you for a challenging and rewarding career.
In this field of study, you’ll gain knowledge and skills in plant molecular biology, genetic engineering, nucleic acid sequencing, disease diagnostics, and much more.
You’ll develop multidisciplinary research and business skills needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
As a graduate you’ll find research and development opportunities with plant breeding and seed companies, government research labs and advisory bodies, agricultural diagnostic facilities, and more.
Learn how to create and re-engineer biological processes in living organisms. Develop cleaner sources of agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, designer materials and other innovative products across agriculture, health, energy production and environmental management.
You will develop multidisciplinary research and business skills needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$8,800
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
$8,800
2025
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $53,760
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
AUD $53,760
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Biotechnology are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Biotechnology is 5599.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Biotechnology is 5599.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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