Master's · Cambridge Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Cambridge's MPhil in Biotechnology is an 11-month taught master's in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, with a strong research component. For Michaelmas 2027 entry it asks for a High II.i Honours degree and is designed primarily for those with a background in physical sciences or technology. The page also says entry is very competitive, the normal intake is primarily students with a First, and all shortlisted candidates are interviewed by video call.
2027-28 entry · Official information
Taken from the University of Cambridge postgraduate course pages (overview, requirements and how to apply) for the MPhil in Biotechnology and read on 2 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry; confirm every date and rule on the page before you rely on it.
Applicants should have achieved a High II.i Honours degree. The page says entry is very competitive, the department is generally unable to consider candidates who only marginally meet that standard, and the normal intake is primarily students with a UK First or the international equivalent.
The programme is designed primarily for those with a background in physical sciences or technology, such as engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics or computer sciences. Candidates with other backgrounds can only be considered if they have strong analytical and numerical skills.
A mandatory Statement of Interest and a mandatory Reasons for Applying, each limited to 1,500 characters.
All shortlisted candidates are interviewed by video call, and an offer can only be made after the interview stage.
The application deadline for Michaelmas 2027 is 13 May 2027, the funding deadline is 6 January 2027 and the course starts on 1 October 2027. Decisions are normally within two months of a complete application.
Students gain practical and research skills for wet-lab and computer-based work, with a strong research component.
Official sources
Read on 2 November 2026 on the University of Cambridge postgraduate course pages (overview, requirements and how to apply) for the MPhil in Biotechnology, which describes 2027-28 entry. The study page, the finance page, the references and English-competence guidance, the department's own website and the Applicant Portal were not read and are not stated.
Fit
The requirements page is explicit about who the course is designed for. The readings below mix Cambridge's wording with Avandy's judgment, and the labels say which is which.
These are the named backgrounds. The course sits at the interface of biology with the physical sciences and technology, with wet-lab and computer-based work.
The page does not list biological sciences among its named backgrounds. It says candidates with other backgrounds can only be considered if they have strong analytical and numerical skills, so evidence of quantitative training matters.
The page says the department is generally unable to consider candidates who only marginally meet the High II.i standard, and that the normal intake is primarily students with a First. Plan on that basis.
Decision
The page describes both a strong research component and a goal of producing graduates with skills from the lab bench to the marketplace.
The pharmaceutical, healthcare, agritech or bioenergy sectors, or other areas where bioprocesses are important, in academic or industry settings.
Foundational and advanced knowledge of biotechnology, practical proficiency, modern bioanalytical techniques and their limitations, and transferable skills such as formal reports, oral presentations and research data management.
Decide whether you are aiming at a research project or an industry role, because the two 1,500-character statements ask for your areas of academic interest and your career aspirations separately.
Application
The page keeps the written parts short and relies on an interview for shortlisted candidates.
Your specific areas of academic interest, how the MPhil in Biotechnology matches them, and how your past education and other experiences will help you succeed.
Why you are applying to the MPhil and to Cambridge, your aspirations and how the programme will help your career goals.
With 1,500 characters each, name one technique or topic you already know and one you want to learn, and prepare to discuss both at the video interview.
Planning
The page describes Michaelmas 2027 entry, and the dates here belong to that cycle.
Check your degree against the High II.i and the physical-science or technology background, decide whether to apply by the funding deadline of 6 January 2027 and draft the two statements. Re-read the pages before submitting, because Cambridge can change them.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its departments. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the published requirements of each course. No outcome is promised.
Questions
A High II.i Honours degree, although the page says the normal intake is primarily students with a UK First Class Honours degree or the international equivalent.
The page designs the course primarily for physical sciences or technology backgrounds. Other backgrounds can only be considered if they have strong analytical and numerical skills.
Yes. All shortlisted candidates are interviewed by video call, and an offer can only be made after the interview stage.
13 May 2027 for Michaelmas 2027, with a funding deadline of 6 January 2027.
The Statement of Interest and the Reasons for Applying are each limited to 1,500 characters.
Students and families
Tell us about your degree, your grades, your relevant experience and the master's courses you are weighing. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare the application.
