Molecular Biology and Biotechnology MSc

Queen's University of Belfast

Key Course Facts

Student Satisfaction	88%
Salary after 15 months	£20000
Number of students	103 graduates / year
Unemployment Rate	0% unemployed Proportion of students of this particular course unemployed and not studying 15 months after their course ended. Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
Student Dropout Rate	3% Proportion of students of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology MSc who are not continuing into their following year of study or have not been awarded a qualification in either of the two comparison years. Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
Duration	1 years - Full-time
Campus	On campus - Main Site
Degree	Master of Science, MSc
Subject	Biotechnology, Molecular Biology

Admission advice for international students

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 70 graduates of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology MSc at Queen's University of Belfast for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Accounting.

Overall student satisfaction

88 /100

70 total respondents

	Queen's University of Belfast, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology MSc	Average review score among all Biotechnology courses in the UK
Explanations	89	94
Interesting courses	77	72
Intellectually stimulating	86	86
Challenged to do my best	86	88
Depth of concepts	81	85
Builds on previous learnings	93	92
Joined ideas from different topics	87	77
Balance directed/independent study	84	86
Applicability of course content	86	85
Clear criteria in markings	86	79
Fair assessment	81	73
Tests reflected your learning	89	72
Timely feedback	80	77
Helpful feedback	69	60
Approachability of teachers	90	86
Support from teachers	84	93
Organisation of courses	91	79
Communication of changes	91	87
IT facilities	90	86
Library	96	89
Course specific resources	96	92
Student feedback opportunities	86	93
Student feedback valued	77	80
Student's feedback acted upon	56	73
Work of student union	80	78
Mental wellbeing services	78	84
Overall satisfaction	88	79

Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
This particular course

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of Accounting

	15 months after graduation	3 years after graduation	5 years after graduation
Median salary	£24004	£23818	£29383
25-75 percentile range	£20982 - £28114	£18679 - £30387	£21981 - £39292

Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All Accounting courses in the UK

Course Description

Biotechnology is the exploitation of living systems or molecules from them for commercial gain. Although the word 'biotechnology' is only a few decades old, humankind has been using biotechnology for millennia, for example in baking, brewing and sewage treatment.

Modern biotechnologies rely on our increasing ability to manipulate organisms at the genetic level and include novel waste treatments and bioremediations, new pharmaceuticals, the exploitation of enzymes in 'green catalysis' and exciting new diagnostic techniques. In the 20th century our lives were transformed by information technology; the 21st century may see an equally great transformation, but this time led by biotechnology.

This Masters degree aims to teach the fundamental molecular bioscience underpinning biotechnology along with examples of its current applications.

Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.

Accredited by the Association of International Accountants (AIA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.

Accredited by Chartered Accountants Ireland for the purpose of exemption from some professional exams.

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route.

Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

What graduates are doing after 15 months

	Graduates of this course	All UK graduates of undergraduate studies in Accounting
Total respondents	35	40
Unemployed	0%	8%
Studying	5%	15%
Working	75%	68%
Both studying and working	10%	8%
No information	10%	0%

Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Current jobs

Job in line with future plans

Utilise skills from studies

Work is meaningful

	Agree or strongly agree	Disagree
Job in line with future plans	95%	5%
Utilise skills from studies	75%	25%
Work is meaningful	90%	10%

Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Required skill level of job after 15 months

% Skilled jobs

	% Skilled jobs
Highly-skilled jobs	80%
Non highly-skilled jobs	10%
Skill level unknown or unclassified	5%

Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology MSc at Queen's University of Belfast

80%	Welfare and housing associate professionals
5%	Secretarial and related occupations
5%	Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5%	Managers, directors and senior officials
5%	Information Technology Professionals

Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023

Grading & Study Time

Assessment Methods

Study Time Distribution

Assessment Methods
	Coursework	Percentage of assessment by practical exams	Written exams

Study Time Distribution
	Scheduled learning and teaching	Guided independent study	Placements
year 1	20%	80%	0%
year 2	20%	80%	0%
year 3	20%	80%	0%

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

	Students of the course received the following grades
Not classified	0
Pass	0
Merit	0
Distinction	0
Ordinary degree	0
Other honours degree	1
Lower second class	25
Upper second class	55
First class	18

Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 2016

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Average UCAS Tariff Score 164

Tariff score	% Students accepted for this course
<48	0
48-63	0
64-79	0
80-95	1
96-111	0
112-127	0
128-143	15
144-159	41
160-175	19
176-191	8
192-207	6
208-223	7
224-239	2
>240	1

Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years). International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

For more information on funding and scholarships for Postgraduate study, please see http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/PostgraduateStudy/FundingandScholarships/

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above in a relevant area of science or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants with qualifications below 2.2 Honours degree standard (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if they can demonstrate appropriate experience acceptable to the School.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent	£518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home)	£50
Supermarket shopping	£81
Clothing	£35
Eating out	£33
Alcohol	£27
Takeaways / food deliveries	£30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food)	£24
Holidays and weekend trips	£78
Transport within city	£17
Self-care / sports	£20
Stationary / books	£13
Mobile phone / internet	£13
Cable TV / streaming	£7
Insurance	£51
Other	£95

Average student cost of living	£1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of Queen's University of Belfast in top UK and global rankings.

See all 30 university rankings of Queen's University of Belfast

About Queen's University of Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) is a public institution that has enjoyed international repute for the majority of the institution’s time as an educational centre, and this is reflected today in their impressive University Rankings from Times Higher Education and QS. With the university’s significant reputation for research prominence and academic results, and the city life on offer from Ireland’s capital, QUB deserves the consideration of any student hoping to excel in their field while also creating fond memories while they do it.

List of 326 Bachelor and Master Courses from Queen's University of Belfast - Course Catalogue

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