Rapid advancements in biotechnology and the life sciences have created a need for highly skilled graduates with the technical, analytical, and business skills to develop modern industrial bioprocesses.
This professionally accredited MSc covers core biochemical engineering principles that enable the translation of life science and biological advances into real-world processes and products. This MSc course is designed as a conversion course for Science graduates.
UCL biochemical engineering graduates emerge with a robust foundation in core scientific and engineering principles, complemented by translational and transferable skills that are highly valued across a range of sectors relating to biotechnology and bioprocessing, such as healthcare, biofuels, chemical, environmental, and food industries. The course fosters innovative thinking, teamwork, and digital fluency, equipping students to tackle real-world challenges such as the development of new medicines, sustainable bioprocesses, and greener technologies.
The majority of MSc Biochemical Engineering graduates progress into highly skilled employment across a range of sectors. Recent graduates have secured roles as process engineers, scientists, management consultants, business analysts, and data analysts in industries including biopharmaceutical manufacturing, R&D, financial services, and consultancy. Employers include Pfizer, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Lonza and Deloitte. Graduates also pursue PhD study at UCL and other leading UK and international institutions Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of graduates in the 2021–2024 cohorts.
UCL is ranked joint eighth globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and UCL Engineering is among the top four UK engineering schools by GPA, with 97% of research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Normal entry requirements are at least a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or the equivalent from an approved overseas institution. Candidates offering recent industrial experience are also encouraged to apply. As with any engineering discipline numeracy skills are important for the quantitative description of biological and physical phenomena. Evidence of numerical ability is requested as either an A level in Mathematics (or in exceptional cases, in Physics) or some mathematics studied at university. The department provides mathematics tutoring for Master’s students throughout the year adjusted to a candidate’s ability.