Postgraduate

Master of Biotechnology

This course offers a thorough grounding in state-of-the-art biotechnology in combination with training in enterprise, commercialisation and intellectual property (IP) protection.
1.5-2
Years Full Time

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

You can find career opportunities in academia, through either a higher degree or research/teaching post. The commercial sector also offers opportunities, where the mix of analytical, scientific rationale and business skills will see you well placed within selection criteria for biotechnology industries. Core business training will also give you a full understanding of idea development into spin out companies, and as such, biotechnology start-up ventures are a likely destination for some graduates. Governmental and non-governmental organisations also offers opportunities, for fields such as environmental monitoring, legislative development and advisory bodies concerned with biotechnology development.

Master of Biotechnology graduates will gain a range of skills which will open various career opportunities.

Some international, Australian and WA-based companies and institutions include: 

  • Biotechnology companies (e.g. Ozgene, PYC Therapeutics, Dimerix, ULUU, Novozyme, IDT Australia, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche)
  • Pharmaceutical/ medical device companies (e.g. CareDx, CSL, Pfizer, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline)

  • Agricultural breeding companies (e.g. Australian Grain Technologies, Intergrain)

  • Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest, Safe Work Laboratories, Precision Oncology, Mater Pathology)

  • Research Centres (e.g. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Telethon Kids Institute, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions)

  • Provisioners of scientific instrumentation (e.g. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Westlab, LabGear Australia)

  • Genetic counselling services (Government/State, e.g. WA Health)

  • Government agencies (Primary Industries and Regional Development) 

  • World Health Organisation

  • Top ranked universities around the world

 

You can find career opportunities in academia, through either a higher degree or research/teaching post. The commercial sector also offers opportunities, where the mix of analytical, scientific rationale and business skills will see you well placed within selection criteria for biotechnology industries. Core business training will also give you a full understanding of idea development into spin out companies, and as such, biotechnology start-up ventures are a likely destination for some graduates. Governmental and non-governmental organisations also offers opportunities, for fields such as environmental monitoring, legislative development and advisory bodies concerned with biotechnology development.

Master of Biotechnology graduates will gain a range of skills which will open various career opportunities.

Some international, Australian and WA-based companies and institutions include: 

  • Biotechnology companies (e.g. Ozgene, PYC Therapeutics, Dimerix, ULUU, Novozyme, IDT Australia, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche)
  • Pharmaceutical/ medical device companies (e.g. CareDx, CSL, Pfizer, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline)

  • Agricultural breeding companies (e.g. Australian Grain Technologies, Intergrain)

  • Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest, Safe Work Laboratories, Precision Oncology, Mater Pathology)

  • Research Centres (e.g. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Telethon Kids Institute, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions)

  • Provisioners of scientific instrumentation (e.g. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Westlab, LabGear Australia)

  • Genetic counselling services (Government/State, e.g. WA Health)

  • Government agencies (Primary Industries and Regional Development) 

  • World Health Organisation

  • Top ranked universities around the world

 

Further Study

Students completing this degree may have the option to pursue further studies in research. Find out about our world-class research at UWA Science Global.
Students completing this degree may have the option to pursue further studies in research. Find out about our world-class research at UWA Science Global.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$45,800.00
2025
$48,300.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor of Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) met the prerequisite for the chosen specialisation
(2) For the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology specialisation an applicant must have—
(a) successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Biochemistry, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA; and
(b) successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Molecular Biology, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(3) For the Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology specialisation, an applicant must have successfully completed Chemistry ATAR, or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(4) For the Genetics and Genomics specialisation, an applicant must have successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Genetics, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(5) For the AQUAtech specialistion an applicant must have successfully completed Chemistry ATAR, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(6) For the Synthetic Biology specialisation an applicant must have successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Genetics, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

Using world-leading research staff, business experts and mentors in biotechnology companies, you're provided with the fundamental academic and business skills needed to make a significant contribution to the biotechnology sector. You can specialise in either AQUAtech, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology, Genetics and Genomics, and Synthetic Biology.

About the course


This is a signature program that set us apart from other universities by offering a thorough grounding in state-of-the-art biotechnology and combining this with training in enterprise and commercialisation. This includes developing the theory of genetics and molecular biology in parallel with skills training in practical techniques such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, recombinant DNA methods, and basic and advanced bioinformatics.
Master of Biotechnology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • Please refer to the UWA Handbook.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 71580
CRICOS code
  • 083859F
Master of Biotechnology
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • Please refer to the UWA Handbook.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 71580
CRICOS code
  • 083859F
Full time/part time duration
  • 2 years
Degrees course is available in
  • Master of Biotechnology
Student story

Kimberley Foo

Student story
Kimberley Foo

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Core
Take all units (24 points):
Option
Students in course by coursework only take all units from this group (12 points):
Option
Students in course by coursework and dissertation take 24 points.
AQUAtech specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.
Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.
Genetics and Genomics specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points, of which at least 1 unit must be at Level 5.
Synthetic Biology specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.

This course:

  • offers up-to-date instruction in biotechnology in combination with training in enterprise and commercialisation
  • utilises the expertise of world leading research staff in Science and in the UWA Business School – along with Business ‘Angels’ and mentors in biotechnology spin-outs
  • has a unique set of specialisations
  • has close working links with industry, both public and private
STUDY YOUR WAY

Flexibility

We understand that life is busy. That's why our postgraduate courses are designed so you can balance your work and studies. Our flexible postgraduate experience includes the opportunity to study part time, a range of units that are taught after hours, and the option to learn via intensive units. Ask our Student Central team for advice on choosing the right postgraduate route for you. Find out more here.

STUDY YOUR WAY
Facility

Bayliss Building

Interior of Bayliss Building

Cutting-edge facilities enable world-class research and study

Facility

Centre for Microscopy Characterisation and Analysis

Providing world-class microscopy and microanalysis facilities and expertise to publicly funded researchers and industry.