Industrial Biotechnology & Biomanufacturing

Course Outline

Our MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing is taught by staff from the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC in Ireland. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills for careers in industrial biotechnology, engineering biology, biomanufacturing, biorefinery, and bio-economy sectors.



This interdisciplinary degree combines microbiology, biotechnology, and process & chemical engineering and caters to those of you coming from biological, chemical, or engineering backgrounds. There is a strong emphasis on industry-relevant and practical skills training alongside state-of-the-art academic content. As well as learning how to develop bioprocess solutions, you will acquire employment-related skills such as planning, teamwork, negotiating, communicating, and presenting ideas and results in written and oral format.



Our MEngSc graduates will be highly sought-after by industry as they will possess the skills that are required to implement the societal transition from its fossil resource dependency to a sustainable, circular, bio-based economy. This transition is fundamental if national and international climate and sustainability targets are to be achieved.



Placement or Study Abroad Information

The MEngSc programme has a research dissertation module that can be undertaken at an academic institution or industrial location in Ireland or abroad. If you wish to undertake an international placement this will be arranged through the network of academic and industrial collaborations already in place with the programme.



Postgraduate Diploma Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing

Should you decide not to undertake the dissertation (research project/placement) and instead exit the MEngSc having passed all the core taught modules (60 credits), then you will be awarded the Level 9 PG Diploma Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing.

The MEngSc comprises two components, 60 credits of coursework via taught modules and a research dissertation based on independent research worth 30 credits.



Modules

MB6004 Advanced Molecular Microbial Biotechnology (5 credits)

MB6015 Microbial Strain Engineering (5 credits)

MB6016 Microbial Physiology in Bioreactors (5 credits)

MB6017 Biorefinery Concepts for the Bio-based Economy (5 credits)

PE6037 Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Bioprocessing (5 credits)

PE6038 Industrial Bioprocessing Systems (5 credits)

PE6039 Manufacturing Excellence in the Bioprocessing Industries (5 credits)

PE6040 Engineering Principles and Operation of Microbial Bioprocesses (10 credits)

PE6041 Bioprocess Design Studio (10 credits)

PE6042 Sustainable Biochemical Engineering (5 credits)

MB6020 Dissertation in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing (30 credits)

Applicants must have obtained at least a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a subject(s) related to the programme. These include Process and Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or another relevant engineering or life-science subject.



Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements as stated above but who present with significant and directly relevant work experience. An interview may also be required for such applicants.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

12 months full-time.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

Our MEngSc Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing graduates will be highly sought-after in the bioeconomy sector, which includes food production, bioenergy generation, biomanufacturing, and industrial biotechnology. There is already a global shortage of scientists and engineers for these industries and thus opportunities will continue to increase as the sector expands. These opportunities will be global as all countries are implementing policies to implement the circular, bio-based economy.



As an MEngSc graduate, you will not only have the technical (science and engineering) skills needed to develop solutions, but you will also have the transversal personal skills and attributes that are vital for work in the industrial sector.