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Entry requirements and pathways
International students
Academic entry requirement
Prerequisites
Applicants must have an Australian Bachelor's degree (or international equivalent).
Specialisation - compulsory: At least two years (four semesters) of biology, including at least two semesters in any of the following areas of study at second-year level or above: biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, cell biology, genetics or biotechnology.
WAM - Weighted Average Mark (WAM) 60%
Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
English language requirement
6.5 IELTS (Academic) with no individual band less than 6.0.
Please refer to our English Language Requirements page for details of other accepted English Proficiency tests and additional recognised English Language Proficiency Measures, such as English as the language of instruction.
Credit for previous study (advanced standing)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.
The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.
To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.
Questions about the course?
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What you'll study
Sample course structure
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 120 credit points from chosen Core
Year 2 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 120 credit points from chosen Core choice
Study options
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
| Subject name | Subject code | Year | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | BIO5BBM | 1 | 15 |
| BIOINFORMATICS | BIO5INF | 1 | 15 |
| PRACTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY | BIO5PRC | 1 | 15 |
| PROTEIN CHEMISTRY | BIO5PRO | 1 | 15 |
| PROTEOMICS AND GENOMICS | BIO5PAG | 1 | 15 |
| SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS | BIO5SCS | 1 | 15 |
| SKILLS IN SCIENCE | BIO5SIS | 1 | 15 |
| TECHNIQUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY | BIO5TEC | 1 | 15 |
Core choice subjects are one or more subject groups you need to select in your course. Core choice subjects may be specific to your course, major, minor, specialisation or other learning requirements.
Students to select one learning pathway from the list below.
Pathway
- Advanced bioinformatics
- Research project
For more information on these please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details
The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
View course information for Melbourne (Bundoora)
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call (+61 3) 6145 0033
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics course and career outcomes
However you choose to structure your study, La Trobe recognises your hard work. Here are the pathways you could follow as you move through your course.
Course intended learning outcomes
- Critically analyse and solve complex problems in biotechnology and bioinformatics, including data science, by using expert judgement, advanced knowledge and multidisciplinary approaches
- Apply understanding of complex theoretical concepts and the integration of advanced skills and specialised knowledge of biotechnology and bioinformatics
- Apply advanced knowledge from biochemistry, bioinformatics, molecular biology and genetics to recent developments in these disciplines
- Evaluate the appropriate application of advanced techniques and scientific approaches for scientific problems in biotechnology and bioinformatics
- Communicate scientific information in biotechnology and bioinformatics to specialist and non-specialist audiences orally and in writing
- Work effectively and ethically individually and as a team member to address scientific problems in biotechnology and bioinformatics
- Implement research projects and experiments using advanced concepts and techniques in biotechnology or bioinformatics
Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics career opportunities
Graduates will have the skills and knowledge to find employment in a range of roles, including:
- Biotechnologist
- Work in biopharmaceutical research and development designing products and constructing biological systems.
- Bioinformatician
- Collect and interpret data for a range of fields, including genetics and pharmaceutics.
- Microbiology
- Study microscopic life forms and processes, including their growth, interactions and characteristics.
- Research assistant
- Perform and analyse experiments, provide technical support to research teams and manage the day-to-day running of a laboratory.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call (+61 3) 6145 0033
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated course fees for international students
Estimated fees per year (2025):
Indicative based on 2024 fees
A$39 800 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.
Scholarships:
The International estimated fees are indicative only. The tuition fees you pay will depend on the subjects you choose to study, with each subject having its own cost. In some cases, your course fees may be higher than the indicated fees because of the subjects you choose.
International scholarships
Destination Australia – an Australian Government initiative
The Destination Australia scheme supports new international students to study in regional Australia and offers students a high-quality learning experience. For eligible applicants, these scholarships are worth up to A$15 000 per annum for up to four years.
Find out more about Destination Australia scholarships.
If you're a La Trobe graduate, you may be eligible for a 10 per cent fee reduction when you apply for a full-fee postgraduate coursework program. See our Alumni Advantage page for further details.
International students applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course to study at La Trobe University can be rewarded a bonus grant for completing their admission process early. Recipients will automatically be eligible to receive an Early Bird Acceptance Grant of 5% of the first-year tuition fees.
If you’re a high-achieving international student from either Vietnam, Cambodia or the Philippines and are considering full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study, you can apply to receive a 50 - 100 per cent tuition fees scholarship for the duration of your studies from 2024.
Do you have an excellent academic record? La Trobe High Achiever Scholarships are awarded to high-achieving international students and provide up to a 25 per cent reduction in course fees for selected courses.
Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.
Questions about fees and scholarships?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call (+61 3) 6145 0033
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How to apply
Apply now or ask us a question if you need more help. You can also call us on +61 3 9627 4805.
Note: Some courses start earlier than the standard semester, term or study period. Applications for these courses close one week prior. Always check your course’s start date to ensure your application is submitted in time.
CRICOS code: 049585K
Ready to apply?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call (+61 3) 6145 0033
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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Overview
Key facts
| Award | Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics |
|---|---|
| CRICOS code | 049585K |
| Start dates |
Indicative based on 2024 start dates Semester 1 (March 2025), Semester 2 (July 2025) |
| Duration | 2 years full-time |
| Available locations | Melbourne (Bundoora) |
| Scholarships | View fees and scholarships |
| Annual tuition fee |
Indicative based on 2024 fees A$39 800 per 120 credit points.Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year. |
About the Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
In La Trobe's Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, you'll learn to harness new and emerging technologies in human health, diagnostics, sustainability, food security and renewable energy.
Develop the human skills and technical expertise to launch a career in a range of exciting industries. From biological products to pharmaceuticals, agriculture to nutrition: you'll be prepared to work in the fields that rely on this fast-growing area of science.
This degree gives you more than flexibility in your career – it also gives you flexibility in how you study. In your final year, you could take an advanced bioinformatics pathway. Or you could choose the research project pathway instead, enjoying unrivalled access to industry networks and researchers in the field and benefiting from 25-30 hours of laboratory time each week.
If you decide you want to head straight into the workforce, you could even exit with a Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics after successfully completing the first year of this degree.
You'll learn:
- Bioinformatics
- Use industry-standard bioinformatics software to address biological problems.
- Practical biotechnology
- Gain practical skills in PCR, cloning, protein expression, protein purification and immunoblotting laboratory techniques.
- Scientific communication skills
- Build your expertise in writing reports and presenting data.
- Proteomics and genomics
- Explore advanced technologies such as CRISPR-mediated gene editing, next generation sequencing and mass spectrometry.
- Protein chemistry
- Practice the laboratory techniques used in purifying and characterising protein preparations.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call (+61 3) 6145 0033
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Other courses you may like
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Bachelor of Science (Honours)
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Bachelor of Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology) with Honours
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