Master in Biotechnology, MSc in Engineering

Master in Biotechnology, MSc in Engineering is one of 5 English-taught Biotechnology programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 4 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 7,455 to EUR 8,700; this programme lists EUR 7,455 a year. 4 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.

The MSc in Engineering in Biotechnology at Aalborg University is a two-year, English-taught master's degree in Aalborg. You work across biology, chemistry and engineering, using genetic engineering, bioinformatics and process engineering to build solutions for medicine, environment and industry. The programme starts in September.

What you study

The first semester centres on molecular biology. The project is Experimental Molecular Biology (15 ECTS), and the courses are Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics (5 ECTS), Cell Biology, Immunology and Genetics (5 ECTS) and Microbial Diversity and Activity (5 ECTS). Project topics can include cloning, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics.

The second semester turns to protein chemistry, in both the courses and the project. You take the Project in Protein Science (15 ECTS) plus Protein Chemistry, Protein Structure and Carbohydrate Chemistry (5 ECTS each).

You can choose a specialisation in Medical Biotechnology. There you learn about the nature of different diseases and work with new techniques and drugs for diagnostics and treatment in the health sector. With the right mix of electives, you can also meet the minimum academic requirements to become an upper secondary school teacher in biotechnology.

How the programme is organised

Teaching combines lectures, theoretical exercises, laboratory work and project work. Courses and coursework take up about half your time; the other half goes to group project work. You complete two biannual research and development projects and a thesis, so you can shape large parts of the degree around your own interests. Projects often run with companies or as part of the university's own research.

Many students use the third and fourth semesters for the master's thesis. You can also spend a semester at another university in Denmark or abroad, or do an internship in a company or organisation. AAU has contacts at other universities and in industry to help with either. Thesis work is tied to a research group at the Section of Biotechnology, with specialisation typically in Molecular Biotechnology, Protein Biophysics, Bioprocess Technology, Genomics or Environmental Biotechnology. You can write the thesis abroad with an external partner.

Who it suits

This suits you if you want to tackle challenges in bio-resources and bioenergy, food, medicine and health, and develop new sustainable technologies. You should be comfortable in a laboratory and in group work. The programme builds skills in genetic engineering, proteins, microbiomes and cell cultures for research and industrial production, and in turning complex data into concrete solutions. You will work in cross-disciplinary teams and communicate your knowledge to industry professionals and decision makers.

Admission, language and next steps

The programme is taught in English. The page sets out admission requirements and how to apply under its own admission section, so check the exact entry requirements there before you apply. Master's applications go straight to the institution. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge; other students pay a fee that the institution sets. AAU also expects that from 2028 the degree can be taken as a 2-year full-time programme (120 ECTS) or as a 3-year master's for working professionals, with the first year full-time and two years part-time alongside relevant employment.

Master’s applications go straight to Aalborg University, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.