Master of Science in Biotechnology
MSc(BIOT)
Both full- and part-time
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 1.5 years
The majority of the courses will be conducted on weekday evenings/Saturdays at HKUST.
Full-time: HK$142,000
Part-time: HK$128,000
New students admitted with credit transfer are also required to pay the full program fee.
Program Director:
Prof Yung-Hou WONG, Chair Professor of Life Science
The Master of Science (MSc) Program in Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary program designed to provide rigorous training to students for professional careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Since its inception in 1993, it has been widely recognized as a premier academic program by professional practitioners in relevant fields. The curriculum is continuously enriched with various basic and advanced biotechnological elements, including pharmaceutical, analytical, transgenic and recombinant technology, bioprocessing, business operations and management. All these elements are unique for preparing students to become scientific research leaders with entrepreneurship in emerging bio-industrial areas.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Explain in-depth and up-to-date knowledge in basic and advanced biotechnological elements;
- Evaluate information relevant to concepts and issues of contemporary biotechnology;
- Analyze and solve both theoretical and applied biotechnological problems related to research and technical aspects of the industry;
- Describe legal, ethical, social and business aspects of biotechnology-based products and services; and
- Perform biotechnological research or assessments independently and/or collaboratively with peers.
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Minimum Credit Requirement
26 credits
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Required Courses
14 credits
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Elective Courses
At least 9 credits
Students are required to take at least two BTEC or LIFS courses from the following list:
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Project Courses
At least 3 credits
Full-time students are required to take one of the following project courses, with an option to take up to two project courses to make up the total credits maximally to 31. Part-time students are required to take either BTEC 6900 or BTEC 6930.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.
Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:
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TOEFL-iBT: 80 *
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TOEFL-pBT: 550
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TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
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IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5 *
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if
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their first language is English, or
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they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
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A bachelor's degree in Biological Science or a related area
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Applicants should have a proven record of good performance, be proficient in English and must demonstrate basic knowledge in biotechnology concerns.
Integrated Bachelor-Master Pathway
- Only for HKUST students in Year 3 or above who are studying a bachelor's degree in Biological Science or a related area. Admissions are selective depending on academic excellence and interview performance.
- Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer for admission to MSc(BIOT) and need to pay a deposit at the prevailing deposit rate.
- They will be allowed to start taking MSc(BIOT) courses in their final year of undergraduate study, and will enter the MSc(BIOT) Program upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree.
- Upon entering MSc(BIOT), they can transfer up to 6 credits taken during the undergraduate study to fulfill the MSc(BIOT) program requirements. They will pay tuition fee for the remaining credits on a pro-rata basis, with a minimum payment for 20 credits.
Apply online before the application deadlines.
HK$350
For 2025/26 Fall Term Intake (commencing in Sep 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 1 Jun 2025
Part-time: 1 Jun 2025
Local Applicants
Full-time: 15 Jul 2025
Part-time: 15 Jul 2025
For 2024/25 Spring Term Intake (commencing in Feb 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 1 Nov 2024
Part-time: 1 Nov 2024
Local Applicants
Full-time: 15 Dec 2024
Part-time: 15 Dec 2024
* Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.
