Home

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 degree offers the ideal foundation for a career in pharma or biotech. 

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£21,500
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£42,700
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
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 course 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 biotechnology and the life sciences have created a need for highly skilled graduates who possess the technical, analytical, and business skills necessary to develop modern industrial bioprocesses.  

This internationally accredited MSc covers core biochemical engineering principles that enable the translation of life science and biological advances into real-world 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 master's 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 degree offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • UCL is ranked in the top 10 globally (9th in the QS World University Rankings 2026), offering you a prestigious, internationally recognised qualification that is highly valued by employers around the world.  
  • UCL established the UK’s first department dedicated to biochemical engineering, leading the field in research, education and enterprise.  
  • As the world’s largest academic bioprocessing department, we are tackling critical global challenges in healthcare, sustainability and food security.  
  • Our team-based ethos, research-led teaching, and strong culture of innovation create a dynamic environment that equips graduates to become future leaders across academia and industry.  
  • You’ll train in state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities at UCL Bloomsbury and UCL East, gaining hands-on experience with the latest robotic systems and near-industrial scale bioprocessing equipment.  
  • The department offers unparalleled links to industry, and our graduates go on to diverse careers in pharmaceuticals, green chemicals, consultancy and beyond.  
  • You will also benefit from participation in the UCL-accredited Modular Training for the Bioprocess Industries (MBI) Programme. Delivered in partnership with industry and included at no extra cost, these short courses provide valuable insight into the commercial, technical and regulatory realities of modern bioprocessing.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

The majority of MSc Biochemical Engineering graduates progress into highly skilled employment across a range of sectors. Recent graduates have secured roles as process engineers, scientists, management consultants, business analysts, and data analysts in industries including biopharmaceutical manufacturing, R&D, financial services, and consultancy. Employers include Pfizer, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Lonza and Deloitte. Graduates also pursue PhD study at UCL and other leading UK and international institutions (Graduate Outcomes survey 2017-22). 

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.

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 MSc is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and individual and group activities. Guest lectures delivered by industrialists provide a professional and social context for students. 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 degree 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 20 hours of contact time per week on this degree, although the exact number of contact hours and composition vary throughout the term, depending on the student's module choices.

This is a full-time course, which means students can expect a working schedule of approximately 35 hours a week, divided between 20 contact hours and 15 hours of self-directed study, including preparation 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 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 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 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 1 and 2, 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

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £21,500
Tuition fees (2026/27) £42,700

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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 with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, 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 degree. Courses from the department's MBI Training Programme are offered to students on this MSc for free (these usually cost approximately £1750).

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 25 June 2026
Value: Tuition fees plus £17,096 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

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 course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why do you want to study Biochemical Engineering at postgraduate level
  • Why do you want to study Biochemical Engineering at UCL
  • What particularly attracts you to this programme
  • How does your academic, professional and personal background meet 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.

If you are applying for an ATAS application, you will need to include information about your supervisor and elective modules. The supervisor will be the Admissions Tutor for the course; you can find a list of all the Admissions Tutors in UCL Biochemical Engineering here. All modules, including core and elective modules, can be found on this page in "Modules," where a drop-down menu next to "Full-time" provides the full list of core and elective modules for each of the three routes for biochemical engineers, engineers, and scientists.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (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: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Biochemical Engineering
Biochemical Engineering

biochemeng@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.