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Biotechnology - Master's Programme

Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits

Someone handling biotechnology equipment

Description

Biotechnology is a key enabling technology that offers strong innovation potential for the sustainable development of society. Research and development in biotechnology continue to improve processes and develop products that have profound impact on various sectors, such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food and feed, environmental remediation, as well as production of chemicals and biofuels.

Lund University is among the leading universities in the world for research and education in biotechnology. It is home to several world-renowned scientists who have strong links to the industry – from large multinational companies to small enterprises based on research done in our departments.

The Master’s in Biotechnology is a broad programme covering scientific and technological aspects of biotechnology tools and processes for sustainable manufacturing of bioproducts, for biomedicine and environmental remediation. The students have the possibility to choose among courses oriented towards molecular biotechnology providing knowledge and skills in recombinant gene expression, engineering of proteins and metabolic pathways, and bioprocess development giving insights into fermentation- and enzyme technology, product recovery and analysis, and process and plant design.

To prepare our students for their final semester Master’s thesis, nearly all our courses include practical exercises. It is therefore recommended that students who apply to this programme have acquired laboratory skills during their Bachelor’s degree.

Full list of courses in this programme: www.lth.se/english/study/tabit
Please note that the Master’s programme in Biotechnology is currently undergoing some changes. For clarification of the programme structure please check the programme structure information box on this page. 

After completing this programme, you will

  • Have a high level of general skills in the various aspects of biotechnology.
  • Have improved your communication skills by way of discussions and by practising written and oral presentations.
  • Be able to suggest process requirements for manufacturing of biotech products with regard to the production systems, development of biological catalysts, analytical tools, energy efficiency and sustainability.
  • Have the ability to develop business ideas related to biotechnology products/processes.

Career prospects

Due to our close links with local and international industry, the programme is closely aligned to market needs, and there is a clear emphasis on the engineering aspects of biotechnology. During your studies, you will meet not only researchers at the departments but also guest lecturers from biotech companies working with, for example, product or process development and marketing. Your future job could be anywhere in the world – in a small start-up or a large multinational company, a government authority or a university. Our alumni move on to roles within research and development, process operations, product development and sales.

The programme also provides an excellent foundation for continuing your studies at PhD level.

Closed for applications

Application opportunities

Contact

Programme Director

Rajni Hatti Kaul

Email: msc [dot] biotech [at] lth [dot] lu [dot] se

International Coordinator

Cecilia Nilsson

Email: msc [dot] biotech [at] lth [dot] lu [dot] se

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, biochemical engineering or equivalent. Completed courses in microbiology or biochemistry, and mathematics (linear algebra/calculus and statistics). English 6.

Selection criteria

The selection is based on academic qualifications and on a statement of purpose.

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Start Autumn Semester 2024

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

2 September 2024 - 7 June 2026

Application

Closed for applications

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 

Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Programme-specific documents

In addition to the documents mentioned under Step 2, you must also submit the document 'Summary sheet and statement of purpose' when you apply to this programme. 

To do this you need to:

  1. Fill in our template.
  2. Save the template as a PDF.
  3. Upload the PDF to your account at universityadmissons.se.

Template for the summary sheet and statement of purpose in Biotechnology (PDF, 375 kB, new window)

No additional programme-specific documents (such as a CV or letters of recommendation) are required when you apply for this programme.

Watch on YouTube: How to apply for a Master's programme 

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 340 000

First payment: SEK 85 000

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations