| Code | MENIBB |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 Months |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | MEngSc |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| 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. |
| Credits | 90 |
| Start Date | 8 September 2025 |
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.
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)
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of MEngSc, you should be able to:
- Select, design, construct, and develop microbial strains for application in biotechnology.
- Develop and implement bioprocesses at increasing scales.
- Integrate strain and bioprocess development in a holistic way by combining biological and engineering principles.
- Implement state-of-the-art methodologies for both strain engineering and bioprocess development, monitoring, and smart control.
- Critically evaluate the parameters required for bioprocess development including concepts like techno-economic feasibility and Life Cycle Assessment.
- Apply the latest concepts in data analytics and bioprocess monitoring including aspects of digitalisation and digital twinning.
- Work professionally and effectively in a team, to undertake research and development to build new bioprocess for novel applications.
- Appreciate the importance of the societal aspects of industrial biotechnology, including concepts like the regulatory environment, ethical research, and safe and sustainable design.
- Complete a body of independent research in an area related to biotechnology or biomanufacturing and present research findings in a dissertation.
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.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
The MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing is a full-time 12-month programme. In the first part between September and June, you will attend lectures, tutorials, and practical training sessions from Monday to Friday (inclusive). While extensive use will be made of technology to aid teaching and learning, this is an in-person course and students are required to be on campus. From June to September, you will carry out a mentored industry-focused research project in industry or within a research laboratory at UCC or another institution. This can also be at an international location.
Assessment
You will be mainly assessed by continuous assessment, which is a feature of all modules in this course. There will be a strong focus on group work, reflecting the norm in industry and enabling our students to acquire a broad portfolio of relevant skills. The research project will be assessed via the dissertation that the student submits.
Who teaches this course?
You will be taught by academic staff of the Schools of Microbiology and Engineering & Architecture. In addition, invited guest lecturers from industry and academia, adjunct professors and other experts with a broad range of national and international experience contribute to the programme.
Why Choose This Course
Our Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing programme is designed for those of you who seek exciting careers that will have a positive impact on society. By doing this course, you can be part of the generation that will drive the transition from a fossil-based society to one that is sustainable for future generations.
The interdisciplinarity of this course is one of its most powerful selling points. While there are many graduates with either engineering or biotechnology skills, there are few with both. Nationally and internationally, there is a lack of postgraduate programmes that offer this combination specifically tailored for the biorefinery and biomanufacturing sectors.
The hands-on practical training, group work, and focus on industry-relevant problems throughout the course are key strengths of this programme. The emphasis is on applying technical skills and knowledge in a useful way. This means that our MEngSc graduates will be immediately ready to apply these skills and undertake leadership positions in the bioeconomy industry.
The research project will be industry-focused, whether on-site in a company, or in a research laboratory tackling an industry-defined challenge. Working with academic and industry mentors will enable you to develop, refine and implement the skills required for your subsequent career.
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.
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.
Requirements
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.
Applicants from Tecnológico de Monterrey are also eligible to apply if they have completed four years (240 credits) on the BS Biotechnology Engineering programme having achieved an aggregate score equivalent to Second Class Honours, Grade 1.
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. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Apply Now