Biotechnology

Teaching will include block teaching of the core modules (including assessment), followed by the research project and industrial visits in Biotechnology and Industry. This will allow candidates to obtain the necessary prerequisite knowledge of the core modules in each term before delving into the more specialised content of their chosen research projects. The delivery of each module will typically involve a mixture or lectures, workshops, seminars, group and/or practical classes. The lectures provide key information on the module subjects.

The majority of lectures are given by specialist academics, with a number of key lectures delivered by guest speakers who have relevant industrial expertise in the specific topic. Workshops and laboratory-based practical sessions offer one-to-one mentoring. This will be accompanied by self-study components (preparation and reading) to achieve the required total number of learning hours per module.

Assessment

Assessment is rigorous and ongoing in order to test your knowledge and varies from module to module. The learning outcomes in this programme are typically assessed by written coursework, which may include a written report, presentation and/or written exams. The Research Project is chosen by the student with guidance from a supervisor and assessed through a written research report/dissertation and completion of a lab book.

Applicants need the equivalent of a UK honours degree to at least a 2:1 in a Biosciences equivalent degree (i.e. Biology, Natural Sciences, Agriculture).

It is not necessary to have prior laboratory experience in plant sciences techniques

English Language requirements

Please see English Language requirements.

English language requirements

Full Time Fees

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only. More information is available here: Tuition fees - how much are they - Durham University

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

As a biosciences postgraduate, you receive the essential skills and knowledge that come with research-led teaching, enabling you to continue your academic work at a higher level.

Your experience in the Department also develops more personal attributes, sought by employers, to help you take the step into a stimulating and rewarding professional career.

Recent postgraduates have gone on to succeed in a wide range of roles in teaching, the health sector, industrial R&D and biotechnology, management, accountancy, conservation, ecological and environmental services, journalism, environmental and biological patent law, pharmaceuticals, the civil service and the armed services.

Whether you choose to follow a research or employment path, you will be equipped with up-to-date skills and knowledge that you can use to help society tackle global challenges related to humankind, the climate and the environment.

The Department of Biosciences considers global issues such as healthy ageing, food security and control of disease and the existential conditions of climate change and sustainability. Our academic goal is to develop workable responses that will help to improve lives and environments worldwide.

We take a research-led approach to teaching that develops both the theoretical and practical knowledge that is needed in order to be able to contribute in a meaningful way to tackling these issues.

Learning in the Department benefits from being informed by global scientific advances and the national and international priorities of governments and organisations at a time when biosciences have never been more important.

The expertise of our academic staff is wide-ranging. Specialisms feature bacteria, plants, animals and humans with an emphasis on biotic and abiotic stress, signalling and environmental adaptation, cell structure, function and development, and human health and disease.

Reflecting the constant change and growth of bioscience we encourage interdisciplinary-based partnerships such as Chemical Biology with the Department of Chemistry and Behavioural Ecology with the Department of Anthropology.

We have an engaged and vibrant community of more than a hundred postgraduate students and researchers, who come here from all over the world to conduct their research and develop their skills. Postgraduate biosciences at Durham provides a unique opportunity to really shape the future.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 5th in The Complete University Guide 2025
• 4th in The Guardian University Guide 2025

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Biosciences Department pages.

Research Excellence Framework

Facilities

The Department of Biosciences is located in a UNESCO World Heritage site, a short walk from the historic centre of Durham. Other academic departments and university services such as libraries and museums can be found nearby.

In the Department itself, we have a huge range of state-of-the-art technology, which is widely used by the postgraduate community for research work. The highly specialised equipment includes electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy, transgenic studies, genomics, DNA analysis and proteomics, bioinformatics, remote sensing, ecological field sampling and computer modelling.

Other departmental facilities are also world-class, including extensive greenhouses, environmental control chambers, cell technology facilities, microscopy suite, facilities for next generation sequencing and proteomics, and dedicated powerful computers for bioinformatics.

More information on our facilities and equipment.

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