- Duration
- Full-time: 18 months
- Part-time: Varies
- Next start date
- 2025 Semester One – 3 March
- 2025 Semester Two – 21 July
- Available locations
- City
- Points
- 180
- Programme type
- Postgraduate
- Taught options available
Programme overview
With our MBiotech you can explore possibilities, gain insight, and address emerging global challenges for human and environmental health and wellbeing.
You’ll have the option to focus your study on a specific area like genomics, proteomics, microbial biotechnology or bioinformatics or take a mix of courses that cover all these topics. You’ll also develop skills that equip you for employment in the biotechnology sector or further study.
Enter the MBiotech with a recognised undergraduate degree in biotechnology or biological sciences and prior exposure to molecular biosciences, biochemistry, microbiology and genetics.
Find out what our campus locations and facilities have to offer in these videos.
Programme structure
The MBiotech is an 18-month, 180-point programme with the option of starting in Semester One or Semester Two, and completed over three semesters full-time, with part-time options available.
The programme will be delivered through lectures, seminars, laboratories, and research supervision. Laboratory work may form a coursework component of some courses and may also form a part of the 45-point dissertation.
The first two semesters will comprise 120 points of core and elective courses. In the second semester students will choose a research project and enrol in BIOSCI 761 Research proposal and seminar.
All students will enrol in a course offering practical experience of research methodologies and data analysis either in cell-based (BIOSCI 704) or genome-based (BIOSCI 701) technologies.
A feature of the MBiotech programme will be the opportunity to enrol in 45 points of subject-specific courses offering disciplinary specialisation tailored to student interest and matching areas of recognised employer demand, for example in plant biotechnology.
Specialisations available:
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
- Molecular Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Protein Engineering
Alternatively, students will be able to choose any combination of elective courses totalling 45 points from within the schedule of approved courses (see Schedule).
In the final semester students will undertake a 45-point research project supervised by an academic staff member and enrol concurrently in a final 15-point taught course.
Students who complete 120 points of coursework within the MBiotech with a GPA of 5.0 or above and who seek a longer form research project will have the ability to transfer to the MSc and complete a 120-point research thesis. Students who complete 120 points of coursework but fail to maintain a GPA of 4.0 within the programme will be unable to proceed to the research project and may graduate with a PGDipSci in Biotechnology.
You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.
Subjects available in this programme
- Bioinformatics
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Cell Bio & Genetics
- Molecular Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Protein Engineering
2025 entry requirements
My highest qualification is from:
Programme requirements
Minimum programme requirements
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
-
Study optionTaught 180 pointsGrade requiredGPA Grade Point Average 4.0
A Bachelor’s degree majoring in Biotechnology, Biological Sciences or an equivalent subject.
Further programme requirements
Taught 180 points
The minimum Grade Point Average to gain entry is 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II in Biotechnology, Biological Sciences or a relevant subject.
Relevant subjects may include biochemistry, biological sciences, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology.
Other pathways to study
If you do not meet the GPA requirement, you can still gain entry by passing 60 points towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in either Biotechnology or Biological Sciences with a GPA of 4.0.
Programme requirements
Minimum programme requirements
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
-
Study optionTaught 180 pointsGrade requiredGPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0
A Bachelor’s degree majoring in Biotechnology, Biological Sciences or an equivalent subject from a recognised academic institution.
-
QualificationIELTS Academic International English Language Testing SystemScore required6.5
No bands below 6.0.
Further programme requirements
Taught 180 points
You must have completed a Bachelor of Science at a recognised university (or similar institution) in Biotechnology, Biological Sciences or another relevant subject with a minimum Grade Point Equivalent of 4.0.
Relevant subjects may include biochemistry, biological sciences, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement, you can still gain entry by passing 60 points towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in either Biotechnology or Biological Sciences with a GPA of 4.0.
How much does a Master of Biotechnology cost per year?
2025 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$10,892.40*
- International students
- NZ$52,842*
Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,598.40 for full-time study (180 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.
*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.
Find out about financial support information
Scholarships and awards
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.
Student loans and allowances
Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.
Cost of living
Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.
Key dates
Note: For international applicants, the application closing date for Semester Two 2024 is 24 May 2024.
Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.
Application closing dates
- Semester One 2025
- 8 December 2024
- Semester Two 2025
- 4 July 2025
Start dates
Here are the start dates for the programme.
| Semester One | Starts – 26 February |
|---|---|
| Ends – 24 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 15 July |
| Ends – 11 November |
| Semester One | Starts – 3 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 30 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 21 July |
| Ends – 17 November |
Other important dates
See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.
Where could this programme take you?
Students will be valued by employers across a wide range of private and public sector organisations for their understanding of how biology underpins innovation and the development of new technologies for markets, environments and populations. Key employment destinations for Biotechnology graduates include the medical, diagnostic and healthcare industries; primary industry, such as the agriculture, food and dairy sectors; regulatory and consultancy services; Crown Research Institutes and government agencies; health and environmental protection; and the tertiary education sector.
Student career planning service
Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.
Read about the MBiotech programme in detail and discover whether it's the right study path for you.
Find out moreKey Information for Students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Experience the University
Meet the programme director
Learn more about the new MBiotech programme from Dr John Taylor, Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences.
Do you need help?
Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?
Need to speak to someone?
You can phone us directly.
- Auckland
- 923 5025
- Outside Auckland
- 0800 61 62 63
- International
- +64 9 373 7513