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Biochemical Engineering MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Join this one-year, internationally recognised MSc to delve into the latest life science discoveries such as novel stem cell therapy, and how these are translated into commercial production. This programme offers the ideal foundation for a career in pharma or biotech. 

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normal entry requirements are at least a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or the equivalent from an approved overseas institution. Candidates offering recent industrial experience are also encouraged to apply. As with any engineering discipline numeracy skills are important for the quantitative description of biological and physical phenomena. Evidence of numerical ability is requested as either an A level in Mathematics (or in exceptional cases, in Physics) or some mathematics studied at university. The department provides mathematics tutoring for Master's students throughout the year adjusted to a candidate's ability.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance. This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Rapid advancements in the life sciences have created a need for highly-skilled graduates who have the technical skills and knowledge relevant to modern industrial bioprocesses.

This internationally-accredited MSc covers core biochemical engineering principles that enable the translation of life sciences advances into real processes and products. What’s more, we offer distinct routes tailored for either graduate scientists or engineers depending on your first degree.

This programme equips you with:

  • Advanced engineering skills, such as bioprocess design, bioreactor engineering, and downstream processing
  • State-of-the-art life science techniques, such as molecular biology, vaccine development, and microfluidics
  • Essential business and regulatory knowledge, such as management, quality control, and commercialisation, that will help you to succeed in leadership roles in industry

You'll also benefit from the Department's MBI Training Programme – the largest leading international provider of UCL-accredited short courses in bioprocessing designed primarily for biochemical industrialists. Courses are designed and delivered in collaboration with 70 industrial experts to support continued professional and technical development within the industry. MBI courses are included as part of the degree at no extra charge.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for science students or engineering students who want a thorough grounding in biochemical engineering.

There are two routes available for graduate scientists and engineers, depending on whether you studied a first degree in applied biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, pharmacy or in chemical and/or biochemical engineering, process engineering or related disciplines. 

The admissions tutor will assign the relevant route to you when you apply.  

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • An internationally-accredited postgraduate degree from a top-ranked university. UCL is consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025), providing you with a prestigious qualification that is highly regarded by employers worldwide.
  • Gain access to state-of-the-art biochemical engineering facilities.
  • UCL was one of the founding biochemical engineering labs, and set up the first UK department of biochemical engineering.
  • Be part of a vibrant biochemical engineering network. UCL Biochemical Engineering co-ordinates bioprocess research and training collaborations with more than a dozen UCL departments, a similar number of national and international university partners and over 40 national and international companies.
  • Benefit from our close ties with industry through participation in the department's MBI Training Programme. Here, you'll sit alongside industrial delegates, to gain deeper insights into the industrial application of taught material, while building a strong network of contacts for your career.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme
Making an impact
UCL Portico building with welcome sign between columns.

Case study: Fifteen cents saves lives

Our quest for a next generation vaccine for less than 15¢ a dose.

The foundation of your career

The department places great emphasis on its ability to assist its graduates in taking up exciting careers in the biotech space. Over 1,000 students have graduated from UCL with qualifications in biochemical engineering at Master's or doctoral levels, and many have gone on to distinguished and senior positions in industry and research.

You can’t match the insight into industry.

Headshot of alumna student Lily Godec talking to camera

Lily Godec

MSc Biochemical Engineering

Hear more from Lily

Employability

Rapid advancements in the life sciences have led to a growing need for highly trained graduates who understand both the biological and engineering aspects relevant to modern industrial bioprocesses.

UCL biochemical engineers are in particularly high demand for their breadth of expertise, numerical ability and problem-solving skills. Graduates from this MSc programme have gone on to work for employers such as Pfizer, Lonza Biologics plc, Nestle and KPMG.

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your Master’s.

  • Connect with accomplished professionals through our alumni network, to take advantage of mentorship, collaboration and even job opportunities.
  • Interact socially with your peers and UCL staff through The Beakers Society, our postgraduate society.
  • If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, connect with like-minded innovators and successful entrepreneurs through UCL’s innovation hubs and startup incubators.
  • Engage with professionals in discussions and collaborations at themed networking events, from hackathons to research speed dating.
  • Study together with industrial delegates as part of the department's MBI Training Programme.

Accreditation

Our MSc is accredited by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

The routes "for Engineers" and Advanced Biochemical Engineering are accredited by the IChemE as meeting the further learning requirements, in full, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng, MIChemE).

The route for Scientists is accredited by the IChemE as meeting the learning requirements, in full, for registration as an Incorporated Chemical Engineer (AMIChemE).

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and individual and group activities. Guest lectures delivered by industrialists provide a professional and social context. Our custom-designed “Pilot Plant Week”, exercises and additional activities are also embedded into the programme to develop a hands-on understanding of the challenges of integrating a series of bioprocess operations, and to build your communication and teamwork skills.

This programme is assessed via unseen written examinations, coursework, individual and group project reports, individual and group oral presentations, and the research or design project.

You can expect 10-14 hours of contact time a week on this programme, although the exact number of contact hours and composition varies throughout the term depending on the module choices of the student.

This is a full-time course, which means students should expect a working schedule of approximately 35 hours a week divided between contact hours, self-directed learning, and preparing for assessments.

Modules

MSc Biochemical Engineering for Scientists (accredited by the IChemE at B-Standard)

The MSc Biochemical Engineering (for Scientists) route is designed to equip science graduates with the essential process of engineering knowledge and biochemical engineering insight in terms one and two that builds upon their relevant earlier learning. These new skills are further developed and applied in practical and group work sessions including major design and enterprise projects in the summer term.

Core Modules (Term 1)

Core Modules (Term 2)

Optional Modules (Term 2 - choose one)

Dissertation Element

MSc Biochemical Engineering for Engineers (accredited by the IChemE at F-Standard)

This route is designed to take first-degree chemical and process engineering graduates and equip them with underpinning bioscience knowledge and advanced biochemical engineering insight in terms one and two. These skills are further developed and applied in practical and group work sessions including major research and enterprise projects in the summer term.

Core Modules (Term 1)

Optional Modules (Term 1 - choose one)

Core Modules (Term 2)

Optional Modules (Term 2 - choose one)

Dissertation Element

MSc Biochemical Engineering, Advanced Biochemical Engineering (accredited by the IChemE at F-Standard)

Within this route, the Advanced Biochemical Engineering Pathway is designed to take first-degree biochemical engineering graduates and provide Master's level modules encompassing the latest advances in the sector. In terms one and two, your skills are further developed and applied in practical and group work sessions including a major research project in the summer term.

Core Modules (Term 1)

Optional Modules (Term 1 - choose one)

Core Modules (Term 2)

Optional Modules (Term 2 - choose one)

Dissertation Element

Compulsory modules








Optional modules










Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Biochemical Engineering.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

Three students in blue lab jackets looking up at biochemical engineering equipment

UCL’s Department of Biochemical of Engineering’s unique facilities include a pilot plant, part of our Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering (ACBE). With several bioreactors, from ultra scale down (USD), right up to a 100L bioreactor, students and researchers can pilot industrial processes on campus. We are the only UK university to feature a fully-functional scaled bioprocessing facility. Students are also taught at our new Manufacturing Futures Lab, which is pioneering faster, smarter and more flexible ways to develop products and processes of the future. A multi-disciplinary research and teaching hub, this lab spans biochemical, chemical and mechanical engineering and chemistry.

Find out more

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you - Alumni Perspectives

—

Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you? Join us for a panel and Q&A event with UCL Engineering alumni. You'll learn what you can expect from postgraduate study at UCL Engineering and get application advice from previous students! This is an opportunity for all applicants to hear personal experiences of studying with us, but may be most relevant to those applying from the USA, Latin and South America.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you - Alumni Perspectives

—

Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you? Join us for a panel and Q&A event with UCL Engineering alumni. You'll learn what you can expect from postgraduate study at UCL Engineering and get application advice from previous students! This is an opportunity for all applicants to hear personal experiences of studying with us, but may be most relevant to those applying from the USA, Latin and South America.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no additional costs for this programme. Courses from the department's MBI Training Programme are offered to students on this MSc for free (these usually cost approximately £1750).


 

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Biochemical Engineering at graduate level
  • why you want to study Biochemical Engineering at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic, professional and personal background meets the demands of a challenging programme. We are particularly interested in any individual or group research project that you have undertaken.
  • how will the MSc help you in your future career aspirations

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Biochemical Engineering
Biochemical Engineering

biochemeng@ucl.ac.uk

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