KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Entry requirements for Medical Biotechnology

To be eligible for the master's programme in Medical Biotechnology, you must meet
the listed admission requirements and submit the documents required in your
application. We will assess your application according to the selection criteria set for
the programme. The same process applies to students with a bachelor's degree from
a Swedish university.
Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree or comparable qualification equivalent to a Swedish bachelor's
degree from an internationally recognised university is required. Students following
longer programmes that have completed courses equivalent to a bachelor's degree
are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students in the final year of undergraduate studies may apply and, if qualified, be
conditionally admitted. These applicants must include a written statement according
to the instructions given by University Admissions. Students in the final year of a
bachelor's programme at a Swedish university do not have to provide a written
statement to, if qualified, be conditionally admitted. However, students at Swedish
universities must have completed 150 ECTS credits in their programme by 1
February.

English proficiency
English language proficiency equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course
English 6 is required. You can meet the requirement by achieving the minimum
required score in the following internationally recognised English tests:

 IELTS Academic/IELTS UKVI: An overall score of 6.5, with no section lower

than 5.5
 TOEFL iBT: Score of 20 (scale 0-30) in written test, total score of 90. We
accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition and Paper Edition. We do not accept TOEFL
ITP, TOEFL iBT MyBest, Institutional TOEFL, TOEFL Essentials, or the
revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test.
 Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments: University of Michigan,
Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)
 Pearson PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online: Score of 62 (writing 61)
 Cambridge ESOL: C1 Advanced (CAE), minimum overall score 180 (points
awarded since 2015), or Cambridge English certificate level C1, minimum
score 180, or Cambridge English: Advanced
Completed upper secondary and university studies in some countries can also fulfil
the requirement. Detailed information on how you can meet the language
requirement is provided by University Admissions.

Specific requirements for Medical Biotechnology

A bachelor's degree, corresponding to at least 180 ECTS credits, including completed
courses in:

 Life sciences, preferably cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology and genetic

engineering and molecular biology, corresponding to least 20 ECTS credits.
 Chemistry, preferably organic, analytical and physical chemistry,
corresponding to least 20 ECTS credits.
 Mathematics corresponding to least 15 ECTS credits.
 Programming corresponding to least 5 ECTS credits.
Application documents

Your application is not complete without the required documents. Some documents
are required for all programmes, while some are programme specific. Only submit
documents requested below. For example, if a summary sheet is not requested below,
you should not submit one. Unless otherwise is specified, all documents should be
uploaded to your application at University Admissions and not sent to KTH. We may
verify your documents' authenticity with the issuing institution. Applications made
with fraudulent documents will be rejected, and legal action may be taken.
Incomplete applications are not processed.

General documents for all programmes

1. Certificates and diplomas of your completed degree(s)

Certificates and diplomas must be officially issued by the Academic Registrar's
Office, the Examinations Office, or the equivalent office that issues official transcripts
of records at your university. The documentation requirements differ between
countries; find out what is required for your country at University Admissions.
Applicants who already study at a Swedish university that use Ladok do not need to
submit certificates and transcripts. Just make sure the same personal identity
number is used in Ladok at the university and your application at University
Admissions.

2. Transcript of completed courses and grades included in your degree

Transcript of completed courses and grades included in your degree must be
officially issued as per the certificates and diplomas. If you have had courses credited
and/or transferred from previous studies, you must also submit official transcripts
for those.

3. Proof of English proficiency

Proof of English proficiency required depends on your country of study and if you
meet the English requirements through a test or previous studies. Most English test
scores must be verifiable online. Find out what proof you need at University
Admissions.

4. Identification
A copy of passport with personal data and photograph, or other identification
document.
Specific documents for Medical Biotechnology

5. CV

KTH does not require a standard template, but the CV should clearly and concisely
outline your education, work experience, computer literacy, qualifications and
achievements (awards, publications, expertise knowledge and skills, etc.). It must be
written in English.

 6. Letter of motivation

The letter of motivation explains why you have chosen this programme at KTH, what
you hope to gain from it and how your interests and skills will help you succeed in
your studies. Include an autobiography with the development and relevance of your
academic and professional pursuits, extra-curricular activities and related
experiences. KTH does not require a standard template, but it must be in English and
less than 500 words. If you apply to multiple programmes that require a letter of
motivation, you should submit one for each and state which programme each letter
applies to at the top of the page.

7. Summary sheet

Submit the summary sheet for Medical Biotechnology. If you do not submit a

complete summary sheet, it will negatively affect your evaluation score. Fill out all of
the required information before submitting the form. For questions regarding the
summary sheet, please contact the programme coordinator directly.

Selection criteria

The selection process is based on the following criteria: study results (e.g. grades,
courses and English), motivation for the studies (e.g. letter of motivation, references,
courses and relevant work experience) and previous education. Previous education is
assessed on the quality that the previous education is considered to have in the
subjects that are relevant to the programme applied for. To assess this, UKÄ's quality
review for Swedish universities is used. University rankings are used for assessment
of previous educations from universities outside Sweden.. The rating of each student
is made on a scale of 1-75.

Acceptance rate

The acceptance rate for the master's programme in Medical Biotechnology for 2022
was 56 %. We admitted 58 students out of the 104 applicants that met the admission
requirements. To increase your chances of getting admitted to KTH, we advise you to
select more than one programme when applying. You can apply for up to four
programmes and rank them in your order of preference.

Recognition of prior learning

Suppose you entirely or partially lack a formal requirement for a course or

programme, but you believe you have the necessary knowledge to meet the
requirement. In that case, you can apply for recognition of prior learning.
Scope of Studying MS In Biotechnology In USA

An MS in Biotechnology in the USA is a two-year program with four semesters.

You can pursue it in three different modes: full-time, part-time or online at
different universities in the USA. The estimated cost of pursuing a master’s degree
in biotech is about 26,000 USD per annum.

Graduates of biotechnology can explore a broad spectrum of career opportunities.

These include biomedical engineers, biophysicists, crime lab technicians, quality
control analysts and many more.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for MS in Biotechnology in the USA differs according to the
universities.

The general criteria to study master’s in biotechnology in the USA is as follows:

 Completed undergraduate degree in biotechnology or related fields

(preferably 4 years)
 3.0 is the minimum GPA in the undergraduate course
 International students have to take either of the English language
proficiency tests, IELTS or TOEFL, scores of which are mandatory for
admission.
 For pursuing science-based courses in the USA, students have to take the
GRE tests. The GRE scores are a must to get admitted to the university.
 A minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS and 80 in TOEFL, along with a minimum
score of 300 in GRE, is required to be eligible to apply to the universities.

Cost & Accommodation

International students need to check several factors when planning to study abroad.
One of them is the total costs of living in the country. This includes the tuition fee
and other expenses.

Typically, the tuition costs for MS in Biotechnology in the USA are between
$15000 and $30000 (INR 11.15 lakhs to 23 lakhs). The tuition fee generally
depends on the total credit hours, institution type and location. The other expenses
include exam fees, application processing fees, and costs of living in the United
States.

There are many options of financial aid available to international students in the
USA. The amount disbursed differs on the universities and your overall student
profile. Based on your shortlisted university, you can check the funding options
available and apply to the ones you are eligible for.

Accommodation for international students is usually available on-campus.

However, they can also choose to live off-campus in shared apartments. The
approximate cost of living in the US per month is between 500 USD and 1000
USD (INR 37,000 to INR 75,000) But staying in dormitories is a better option as
they provide students with basic amenities like food, water and electricity and are
cheaper.

Application Requirements

The application process may vary as per the universities, but here are some
standard documents required for the application:

 Academic and education transcripts of 10th, 12th and the UG degree

 Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Letter of Intent
 A scanned copy of the passport, along with 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
(LORs)
 A minimum overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS and 80 in TOEFL for
international students
 Proof of involvement of the student in extra-curricular activities
 An updated resume or CV mentioning the GRE score

Top Universities for MS In Biotechnology In USA

The USA is a one-stop and popular destination for pursuing a degree in

biotechnology. Read on to know the top-ranking universities in the USA for MS
degree programs in biotechnology.

Johns Hopkins University

The Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore,

Marland, with an acceptance rate of 11%. The university has a graduation rate of
93%.

Ranking: As of 2022, the university has ranked 25th in the QS World University
Rankings. It provides both full-time and part-time courses to students.

Courses Offered: The university has many programs available for a master’s degree
in biotechnology. Some of them are MS in Applied Biomedical Engineering, MHS
in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and MS in Bioinformatics.

Tuition Fee: The average program fee per year for this university is around 43,500
USD.
Financial Aid: Full-time graduates may receive tuition and fellowship awards from
their departments. Part-time graduates may receive tuition benefits through their
employers. Student loans and work-study options are also available.

California State University

The California State University is a public university in California. It has 23

campuses and eight off-campus centres. The university has 13 major courses
available in both online and offline modes.

Ranking: As per the US Rankings of 2022, it has secured a spot in the top 500
universities to study biotechnology.

Courses Offered: Some of the master’s degree programs the university offers are:

 MS in Biomedical Science (biomedicine) in the San Francisco campus,

 MS in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (stem cell technology and
laboratory management).

Tuition Fee: The average annual fee in this university ranges from 28,000 USD to
50,000 USD.

Financial Aid: The university provides financial aid to the majority of its students.
Most CSU students qualify for some type of financial aid like scholarships, grants,
loans, work-study programs or a combination of these.

Northwestern University

It is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois, with an acceptance rate of

9%. The university has a graduation rate of 94%.

Ranking: The university has been ranked 30 by the 2022 QS World Ranking

University.

Courses Offered: It is known for its Master of Biotechnology Program. The

university also offers other master’s degree programs in biotech and sciences like
MS in Biomedical Engineering, MS in Biomedical and Life Sciences and more.
The university has different schools that you can apply to as per your desired
programs.

Tuition Fee: The average annual program fee in this university is around 64,500
USD.

Financial Aid: There is a financial aid programme named Evanston Office of

Graduate Financial Aid that offers to fund students’ education in the above-
mentioned programs. You can check for your eligibility and apply for it.
Florida Institute of Technology 

It is a private research university in Melbourne, Florida, with an acceptance rate of

70%.

 You can study in three formats: campus study, off-campus and online.
 The university accepts transfer admissions and graduate admissions, or you
can choose to study at the education centres of the university in Virginia,
Alabama, Florida and Maryland. You can also opt for the online study
mode.

Ranking: The university comes in the top 350 universities in the USA by the US
Rankings, 2021. It has been ranked among the nation’s best universities for the
12th consecutive year.

Courses offered: MS in Biotechnology and MS in Biomedical Engineering

Tuition Fee: The average fee per annum of the university is around 30,000 USD.

Financial Aid: The institution also has various types of financial aid available like
university scholarships and grants, state scholarships and grants, federal financial
aid and graduate aid. Aspirants can check which of these they are eligible for and
apply to them.

These are some of the top universities to pursue your MS in Biotechnology in the
USA. When choosing a university, ensure that the shortlisted ones align with your
requirements and help you move towards your academic and career goals.

Career Opportunities

After successfully completing an MS in Biotechnology in the USA, international

students can start a career in positions like research scientists, molecular biology
research associates, associate research scientists, and senior research scientists.

A skilled graduate can earn an average annual salary of 73000 USD (INR 54.27
lakhs). Individuals can also choose to pursue their doctorate while working in
research fields.