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Biotechnology & Business

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Biotechnology encompasses all aspects of the industrial application of living organisms and/or biological techniques. Ireland has an enviable biotechnology sector and is home to the world’s top 10 global biopharmaceutical companies. The MSc Biotechnology & Business is an exciting programme designed for non-business graduates who want to become managers or entrepreneurs in complex business environments in technology and science-based fields.
The MSc Biotechnology & Business provides you with a solid grounding in the science underpinning biotechnology coupled with a comprehensive business education. The programme is the result of a close collaboration between the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, which is Ireland’s leading business school.

Download the UCD Science Graduate Taught Courses brochure (pdf)

  • Biotechnology and Management focus
  • Suitable for life-science and chemistry graduates with non-business backgrounds
  • Excellent career prospects

Contact Us:

  • EU Enquiries: biotech@ucd.ie
  • Non-EU Enquiries: internationalenquiries@ucd.ie

About This Course

  • Students will be able to analyse, evaluate and communicate biotechnology research
  • Students will be able to apply their knowledge to overcome problems with commercialisation of biotechnology research
  • Students will be able to conduct feasibility studies and develop effective business plans
  • Students will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of business principles as they relate to the biotechnology industry
  • Students will be able to engage with potential employers in a professional manner
  • Students will be able to work alongside scientists and entrepreneurs to develop and commercialise novel biotechnological solutions

This graduate degree in Biotechnology & Business has been developed in consultation with employers and therefore will be recognised and valued by them. A key feature is the opportunity to carry out a business development plan which will allow graduates to develop connections with prospective employers such as Abbott, Allergan, Alpha Technologies, Amgen, Avonmore Foods, Baxter Healthcare, Beckman Coulter, Biotrin International Ltd., Boston Scientific, Elan Corporation, Eli Lilly and Co., Celltech, GSK, Icon Clinical Research, ImmunoGen Inc., Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Ltd., Kerry Group Plc., Medtronic, MSD, Olympus Diagnostica, Quintiles, Quest International, Sandoz., Seroba Life Sciences, Serology Ltd.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
BIOC40180 Professional Career Development Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BMOL40120 The Business of Biotechnology and Science Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
MKT42310 Marketing Management MSc Bio&B Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BMGT45430 Business Strategy Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BMOL40380 Teams in Biotech Enterprise Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
FIN41440 Corporate Finance (BB) Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
PHAR40240 Regulatory Affairs for Life Sciences Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BIOC40140 Biotech Case Study Summer  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
BMOL40130 Feasibility and Business Plan Summer  20
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select from the following:
BIOC40250 Biomedical Diagnostics&Devices Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select from the following:
BMOL40180 Biological Imaging Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select from the following:
MICR40010 Recombinant DNA Technology Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select from the following:
BMOL40190 Multicellular Systems Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select from the following:
MICR40100 Emerging Issues in Biotechnology Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select from the following:
MICR40130 Food Biotechnology Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select from the following:
MICR40140 Environmental Biotechnology Spring  5

Graduate Profile
Jennifer McKeever, Senior Analyst at Seroba Life Sciences

During the MSc in Biotechnology & Business, I broadened my knowledge in key modules including medical devices, diagnostics and regulatory affairs, while also developing core business skills in finance, marketing and management. The highlight was developing a business plan for a UCD Nova start-up company, which was an invaluable and pragmatic learning experience. I am currently working as an Investment Analyst in a life sciences venture capital firm. The masters provided me with a skillset that is in high demand. During the masters I was introduced to many industry contacts who played an instrumental role in shaping my career.

MSc Biotechnology and Business Graduates, Julie Carty and Darragh McGrath describe why they chose the course, the subjects covered and the skills they learned and developed.

Biotechnology & Business (X447) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 16000
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please visit International Scholarships.

This programme is intended for applicants with a degree in Biology or Chemistry related discipline. An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required.

  • Graduates with equivalent qualifications in related areas of science and technology or with proven relevant industrial experience will be considered for places.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent. 
  • Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ 
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes


The UCD MSc Biotechnology and Business programme is designed for life-science and chemistry graduates who want to pursue a career in management/entrepreneurship in technology and science-based fields, whether seeking a first job in a biotechnology/biopharmaceutical company, starting your own small business or creating new opportunities in larger companies.



 


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Biotechnology & Business:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt X447
Biotechnology & Business
Master of Science
Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
Graduate Taught Closed
* you can change options at the top of the page