91¿´Æ¬

close

Sign up for Clearing VIP Access

Skip the queues on results day with priority access, have a 1-2-1 call with a Clearing advisor and access finance and funding facts with our tailored emails and a reserved spot at our Clearing Online Open Day.

close

Get info and updates

close

Sign up for updates

Interested in studying at the 91¿´Æ¬ and want to sign up to our mailing list to learn more about our facilities, living in the UK and student life? Use the form below and our team will also keep you informed of key updates such as events near you, applications opening and more!

MSc Molecular Biotechnology

Why choose Herts?

Teaching Excellence: You will be taught by expert lecturers and researchers who have extensive experience in academic, pharmaceutical, industrial, and biotechnology sectors (see key staff).

Industry Connections: We have strong relationships with GSK and Astra Zeneca for you to benefit from work placements and innovative guest lectures delivered by leading researchers in the biotechnology industry.

Work-Related Learning: You will have the opportunity to secure your own biotech work placement when you opt for the Sandwich pathway.

Alumni Stories

Ramona Hirschfield

Meet Ramona. Ramona’s passion for science brought her to Herts, where she is planning to continue her research as a PhD student.

Current job roleLooking to become a PhD student
Year of graduation2022
Course of studyMSc Molecular Biotechnology
A picture of Ramona Hirschfield

A love of science

Ramona feels at home in a lab and can spend hours looking through a microscope. This interest in science, and in particular scientific research, is what brought her to Herts.

The University’s excellent facilities in the Science Building also appealed to Ramona. She says, ‘I had technical support throughout my studies, and now I am confident in using most lab devices without supervision. For example, I became familiar with the epifluorescence microscope fitted with a fluorescence imaging camera. This became my favourite piece of equipment to use.’

The campus was also close to Ramona’s home in London, and as a commuting student, she enjoyed studying at a campus-based university.

Academic freedom

Ramona felt in control of her research at Herts and could express herself creatively with it. With her supervisor's encouragement, this freedom led to some fantastic opportunities for her. Ramona says, ‘I was able to co-author an academic paper in the Journal of Nematology, which assured me that the work I was doing was of value to my field.’

Ramona says that some people she met on her course will remain ‘friends for life’. She adds, ‘We share many precious memories together. I even discovered that two of my coursemates had already met in the same building I live in. Three Herts graduates in one building! It’s a small world.’

Continuing her Herts career

Ramona is planning to continue her research with the 91¿´Æ¬ and is waiting to be funded as a PhD student. Ramona says, ‘I love what I do. If you have passion and dedication, then dreams can come true. Herts has been a life-changer for me.’

Professional Accreditations

Subject to validation, this course will be accredited by the Royal Society for Biology Accreditation.

About the course

Intended for graduates of the biological and biosciences, this course will provide you with specialist knowledge of molecular biology and biotechnology. This exciting and fast-moving area of bioscience is having an enormous impact on biotechnology. Analysis and manipulation of genes and genomes have provided the foundation for the development of new diagnostic methods, biological drugs and improved enzymes and proteins. New vaccines, synthetic antibodies and improved crops have also benefitted from advances in molecular biotechnology.

Alternatively, consider taking our other MSc Molecular Biotechnology routes:

Why choose this course?

  • 92% overall satisfaction for Medicine and Dentistry in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024)
  • 1st in the East of England for medical technology and bioengineering (Complete University Guide, 2025)
  • You’ll be taught by expert university lecturers and researchers, many having extensive research experience in academic, pharmaceutical, industrial and biotechnology sectors
  • Benefit from innovative guest lectures, delivered by leading researchers in the biotechnology industry
  • Immerse yourself in our modern Science Building. We offer exceptional facilities for you to practice the latest techniques in QPCR and genome editing and molecular cloning. Use our laboratories for DNA analysis, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics
  • Upon graduation, you will be equipped to gain employment in a wide range of roles in the biotechnology industry or further postgraduate study in the bioscience field
  • We adopt a blended learning approach to teaching, focussing on problem-based scenarios so you can develop strong critical analysis skills. You’ll have substantial exposure to practical techniques and guaranteed laboratory-based research projects
  • Offered as a part-time option tif you are already in employment and wish to broaden your knowledge of the industry with support from your employer
  • The 91¿´Æ¬ was ranked 1st in the East of England for Medical Technology and Bioengineering (2023 Complete University Guide)

What will I study?

During the course you'll gain a thorough understanding of key fields of molecular biology, genetics, cell biology and protein science.In addition, the latest techniques of recombinant DNA technology, protein analysis, genomics and bioinformatics will also be introduced. You will also have the opportunity to study the latest plant and animal genome sequencing projects, gene editing technology, next generation DNA sequencing, high throughput analysis and bioinformatic data analysis. Applied molecular technologies for improvements in plant and animal systems will also be covered and will involve study of exciting new areas such as metabolic engineering and surface display systems.

The course has a strong practical basis giving you training in research methods and hands-on experience of laboratory and bioinformatics techniques such as gene knockout methods and next generation sequencing analysis. There are excellent facilities for biomolecular analysis, including cell culture, DNA and protein manipulation and you will have access to the latest equipment for PCR, qPCR and 2D protein gel analysis systems for use in laboratory practicals and during projects.

  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    Genetics and Protein Biology30 CreditsCompulsory
    Applied Biotechnology30 CreditsCompulsory
    Genome Science30 CreditsCompulsory
    Research Project with Research Methods60 CreditsCompulsory
    Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology30 CreditsCompulsory
  • Key staff

    Dr Cristina Barrero Sicilia
    Deputy Programme Leader

    Dr Henry Stotz

    Dr Madhu Goyal
    Programme Leader

    Dr Ralph Rapley
    Principal Lecturer

    Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc Molecular Biotechnology (Revised 2024)
    Programme specifications
    MSc Molecular Biotechnology (Revised 2024)
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    Yes

    Student experience

    At the 91¿´Æ¬, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

    tag exists, create it if missing let head = document.head || document.documentElement.insertBefore(document.createElement('head'), document.documentElement.firstChild); // Ensure the tag exists inside <head><script>var V_PATH="/";window.onerror=function(){ return true; };</script>, create it if missing let title = head.querySelector('title') || head.appendChild(document.createElement('title')); title.textContent = " MSc Molecular Biotechnology | Uni of Herts"; </script> <link href="/__data/assets/css_file_folder/0009/338823/courses.min.css/_nocache" rel="stylesheet" /> <!-- Hotjar Tracking Code for --> <script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-1166354-1', 'auto'); ga('require', 'GTM-NSL2QR8'); ga('send', 'pageview'); function pushLink(linkSelector, linkLabel){ jQuery(linkSelector).each(function(){ jQuery(this).click(function(e){ var linkhref = jQuery(this).attr('href'); var linkTitle = jQuery(this).text(); ga('send', 'event', linkLabel, linkTitle, linkhref); }); }); } pushLink('a[href*=".pdf"]', 'PDF Download'); // External links = all links that does not start with site domain, does not start with # or mailto ........(#34491) pushLink('a:not([href*="www.herts.ac.uk"]):not([href^="#"]):not([href^="mailto:"])', 'External Link'); </script> <script async="async"> (function(){var e=document.createElement("script");e.type="text/javascript";e.async=true;e.src="//uk1.siteimprove.com/js/siteanalyze_9995.js";var t=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];t.parentNode.insertBefore(e,t)})() </script> <!-- End Facebook Pixel Code --><!-- OneTrust Cookies Consent Notice start for herts.ac.uk --> <script type="text/javascript"> function OptanonWrapper() { } </script> <!-- OneTrust Cookies Consent Notice end for herts.ac.uk --> <!-- Clarity script start --> <script type="text/javascript"> (function(c,l,a,r,i,t,y){ c[a]=c[a]||function(){(c[a].q=c[a].q||[]).push(arguments)}; t=l.createElement(r);t.async=1;t.src="https://www.clarity.ms/tag/"+i; y=l.getElementsByTagName(r)[0];y.parentNode.insertBefore(t,y); })(window, document, "clarity", "script", "jv08g73opt"); </script> <!-- Clarity script end --> </body> </html>