University of Queensland
Master of Biotechnology
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Equip yourself with advanced scientific skills and the business, legal and regulatory understanding needed to translate discoveries from the laboratory to real life.
Course overview
The 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. You'll 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 to tailor your studies to your interests and career goals. Specialise in one of 5 fields of biotechnology study: animal agriculture, medical, molecular imaging, plant agriculture or synthetic biology and industrial.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
Two-year duration
Students must complete 32 units from the following:
- Six to eight units from MBiotech Flexible Foundational Courses
- Eight units for all MBiotech Core Courses
- Zero to eight units for zero to one Field of Study from MBiotech Fields of Study
- Zero to 10 units from MBiotech Program Elective Courses
- Eight to 16 units from MBiotech Research Project Courses
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is valued at two units.
Complete six to eight units from the following:
- Introduction to Molecular Biology Laboratory
- Introduction to Proteins and Nucleic Acids
- Genetics
- Paper Critique
- Chemical Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology 1
- Analysis of Scientific Data
Complete eight units for all of the following:
- Commercialisation of Biotechnology Products
- Biologics
- Quality Management Systems in Biotechnology
- Issues in Biotechnology
Complete zero to one Field of Study from the following:
- Animal Agricultural Biotechnology (eight units)
- Medical Biotechnology (eight units)
- Molecular Imaging Technology (eight units)
- Plant Agricultural Biotechnology (eight units)
- Synthetic Biology and Industrial Biotechnology (eight units)
Contact the university or visit its website for the complete breakdown of each Field of Study option.
Complete zero to 10 units from the following:
- Advanced Proteins and Nucleic Acids
- Biotechnology Intellectual Property Case Studies
- Biomanufacturing Technology
- Immunotherapy
- Creativity for Innovation and Design Thinking
- Managing Innovation
- Food Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Principles of Entrepreneurship
- Animal Agricultural Biotechnology (eight units)
- Medical Biotechnology (eight units)
- Molecular Imaging Technology (eight units)
- Plant Agricultural Biotechnology (eight units)
- Synthetic Biology and Industrial Biotechnology (eight units)
- OR other courses approved by the associate dean (academic)
Complete eight to 16 units from the following:
- Area Review
- Research Project A - BIOX70022
- Research Project B - BIOX70032
- Research Project A - BIOX70044 (four units)
- Research Project B - BIOX70054 (four units)
- Major Research Project and Seminar - BIOX70088 (eight units)
- Major Research Project and Seminar - BIOX70098 (eight units)
- Major Research Project and Seminar - BIOX70118 (eight units)
- Major Research Project and Seminar - BIOX70128 (eight units)
- Major Research Project and Seminar - BIOX70138 (eight units)
- Major Research Project and Seminar - BIOX70148 (eight units)
- Major Research Project and Seminar - BIOX70158 (eight units)
- Literature Review - BIOX71004 (four units)
- Literature Review - BIOX71014 (four units)
- Project Proposal
- Industry Research Placement - BIOX75044 (four units)
- Industry Research Placement - BIOX75088 (eight units)
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in two years, 1.5 years or one 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.
To be eligible to complete the degree in two years full-time (or part-time equivalent), you'll need one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, with at least one course in chemistry or biology.
- A graduate certificate or graduate diploma (or equivalent) in biotechnology.
- To have successfully completed three years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Biotechnology.
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), you'll need one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in biomedical science, biotechnology, science, bioinformatics, pharmacy or engineering.
- To have successfully completed at least 3.5 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, including research requirements, 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.
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate sooner.
To be eligible to complete the degree in one year full-time (or part-time equivalent), you'll need a bachelor's 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.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your postgraduate studies, provided that they meet the relevant course requirements.
If you receive an offer of enrolment and you’ve undertaken prior learning, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
This 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
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $9,540 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 16 units (normally eight courses) per year.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.