KTH Royal Institute of Technology
MSc Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
Stockholm, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
SEK 360,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA/swiss | no tuition fee for citizens of EU/EEA country or switzerland
Key Summary
The master's programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology provides a deep understanding of how to design and operate state-of-the-art life science-based processes with respect to product quality, sustainability and finance. Graduates have the competencies and skills to use cells, cell components and biomolecules to produce commodities such as chemicals, food, biofuels, clean water or soil and biomaterials for the development of a sustainable society.
Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology at KTH
The two-year programme comprises advanced courses on biotechnological tools for developing processes, sustainable production of commodities and the impact of such operations on the environment and society. Based on world-leading research at KTH, the education provided is comprehensive and prepares you for future careers in Sweden or internationally in the private and public sectors.
The programme offers three specialisation tracks: cell-based process biotechnology, enzyme technology and environmental biotechnology. You can tailor your education by choosing one track and complementing it with courses from other tracks or from a list of recommended courses. You can also cherry-pick courses of your own interest to create your unique professional profile. Courses contain theoretical knowledge and practical applications on fundamental science, experimental design, production, analysis and life cycle assessment.
Through the curriculum’s cross-platform approach, you’ll acquire unique expertise that is attractive to many employers. You’ll train in problem-solving, project management skills, and professional communication. In the final semester of the programme, you’ll undertake a master's degree project in a research environment at KTH, in industry, or at a university or research institute worldwide to gain specialisation in a relevant field.
The programme curriculum is designed, taught, and continuously updated by a team of internationally recognised professors and researchers in the different subject areas, in collaboration with representatives from the private sector. The programme is given by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health in Stockholm, with access to facilities, infrastructure and instrument park available at the KTH Campus in Stockholm at AlbaNova University Centre.
The two-year master's programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology consists of three terms of courses and one final term dedicated to the master's degree project. Each term consists of approximately 30 ECTS credits. The courses presented on this page apply to studies starting in autumn 2026.
Year 1
The student should complete all courses within the one track.
Students enrolled in the Degree Programme in Engineering Chemistry or Chemical Engineering at KTH
- The course BB1030 Microbiology is mandatory
Students without a previous course in cultivation technology
- The course BB1300 Cultivation Technology is mandatory
Students lacking prior courses in sustainable development and project management
- The course CB1000 Sustainable development and project management is mandatory
Mandatory Courses
- Biomolecular Structure and Function (BB2165) 7.5 credits
- Teori, metodik och hållbarhet inom bioteknik (CB2130) 7.5 credits
Recommended Courses
- Microbiology (BB1030) 9 credits
- Cultivation Technology (BB1300) 7.5 credits
- Sustainable development and project management (CB1000) 3 credits
Cell-Based Process Biotechnology Track
Mandatory courses
- The Cell Factory (BB2450) 7.5 credits
- Metabolic Engineering (BB2485) 7.5 credits
- Enzymology and Biocatalysis (CB2140) 7.5 credits
- Downstream processing of biological products (CB2010) 7.5 credits
Recommended courses
- Applied Gene Technology (BB2255) 7.5 credits
- System Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment (BB2570) 7.5 credits
- Bioinformatics (CB2442) 7.5 credits
- Food chemistry and technology (CK2000) 7.5 credits
- Environmental Toxicology (BB2015) 7.5 credits
- Molecular Biomedicine (BB2290) 7.5 credits
- Glycobiotechnology (BB2425) 7.5 credits
- Immunology (BB2446) 7.5 credits
- Advanced Microbiology and Metagenomics (BB2560) 7.5 credits
- Proteomics (CB2080) 7.5 credits
- Organic Chemistry, Basic Concepts and Practice 2 (KD1270) 7.5 credits
- Bioprocessing for the production of advanced biologics using mammalian cells (CB2120) 7.5 credits
Environmental Biotechnology Track
Mandatory courses
- Environmental Toxicology (BB2015) 7.5 credits
- Advanced Microbiology and Metagenomics (BB2560) 7.5 credits
- System Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment (BB2570) 7.5 credits
- Environmental Bioprocess Technology (CB2100) 7.5 credits
Recommended courses
- Applied Gene Technology (BB2255) 7.5 credits
- Bioinformatics (CB2442) 7.5 credits
- Food chemistry and technology (CK2000) 7.5 credits
- Enzymology and Biocatalysis (CB2140) 7.5 credits
- Molecular Biomedicine (BB2290) 7.5 credits
- Glycobiotechnology (BB2425) 7.5 credits
- Immunology (BB2446) 7.5 credits
- The Cell Factory (BB2450) 7.5 credits
- Metabolic Engineering (BB2485) 7.5 credits
- Proteomics (CB2080) 7.5 credits
- Organic Chemistry, Basic Concepts and Practice 2 (KD1270) 7.5 credits
- Bioprocessing for the production of advanced biologics using mammalian cells (CB2120) 7.5 credits
Enzyme Technology Track
Mandatory courses
- Glycobiotechnology (BB2425) 7.5 credits
- Enzymology and Biocatalysis (CB2140) 7.5 credits
- Environmental Bioprocess Technology (CB2100) 7.5 credits
Recommended courses
- Applied Gene Technology (BB2255) 7.5 credits
- System Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment (BB2570) 7.5 credits
- Bioinformatics (CB2442) 7.5 credits
- Food chemistry and technology (CK2000) 7.5 credits
- Molecular Biophysics (SK2534) 7.5 credits
- Environmental Toxicology (BB2015) 7.5 credits
- Molecular Biomedicine (BB2290) 7.5 credits
- Immunology (BB2446) 7.5 credits
- The Cell Factory (BB2450) 7.5 credits
- Metabolic Engineering (BB2485) 7.5 credits
- Advanced Microbiology and Metagenomics (BB2560) 7.5 credits
- Proteomics (CB2080) 7.5 credits
- Organic Chemistry, Basic Concepts and Practice 2 (KD1270) 7.5 credits
- Bioprocessing for the production of advanced biologics using mammalian cells (CB2120) 7.5 credits
Year 2
There might be changes.
Mandatory Courses
- Degree Project in Biotechnology, Second Cycle (BB200X) 30.0 credits
- Bioprocess Design (BB2520) 15.0 credits
Cell-Based Process Biotechnology Track
Recommended courses
- Clinical applications of biotechnology (CB2020) 7.5 credits
- Systems biology (CB2030) 7.5 credits
- Drug Development (CB2090) 7.5 credits
- Environmental Bioprocess Technology (CB2100) 7.5 credits
- Advanced Organic Chemistry (CK2310) 7.5 credits
Environmental Biotechnology Track
- Recommended courses
- Downstream processing of biological products (CB2010) 7.5 credits
- Clinical applications of biotechnology (CB2020) 7.5 credits
- Systems biology (CB2030) 7.5 credits
- Drug Development (CB2090) 7.5 credits
- Advanced Organic Chemistry (CK2310) 7.5 credits
Enzyme Technology Track
Recommended courses
- Downstream processing of biological products (CB2010) 7.5 credits
- Clinical applications of biotechnology (CB2020) 7.5 credits
- Systems biology (CB2030) 7.5 credits
- Drug Development (CB2090) 7.5 credits
- Advanced Organic Chemistry (CK2310) 7.5 credits
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and the necessary tools to improve society in a sustainable way, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The Biotechnology sector is considered to be one of the main players in the development of a sustainable society and is able to tackle current and future societal challenges. The courses focus on topics related to the majority of the 17 sustainable development goals. The master’s programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology prepares students for careers focusing on the development of more effective and environmentally friendly production of commodities. The three key sustainable development goals that are best aligned with the master's programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology are:
- 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The programme provides knowledge and understanding about how biological processes and cellular components are used to create new technologies, industrial processes and biotechnological products. Knowledge is acquired on how microorganisms are orchestrated to remove contaminants from water and soil or to produce biomolecules that can serve as raw materials. Microorganisms are used to design and create effective and sustainable production of products from food ingredients to detergents, paper and textiles. Sustainability is a key aspect that features in all areas of biotechnology and that continuously combines science and technology to improve, simplify or streamline industrial manufacturing of products or services.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and the necessary tools to improve society in a sustainable way, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The Biotechnology sector is considered to be one of the main players in the development of a sustainable society and is able to tackle current and future societal challenges. The courses focus on topics related to the majority of the 17 sustainable development goals. The master’s programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology prepares students for careers focusing on the development of more effective and environmentally friendly production of commodities. The three key sustainable development goals that are best aligned with the master's programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology are:
- 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The programme provides knowledge and understanding about how biological processes and cellular components are used to create new technologies, industrial processes and biotechnological products. Knowledge is acquired on how microorganisms are orchestrated to remove contaminants from water and soil or to produce biomolecules that can serve as raw materials. Microorganisms are used to design and create effective and sustainable production of products from food ingredients to detergents, paper and textiles. Sustainability is a key aspect that features in all areas of biotechnology and that continuously combines science and technology to improve, simplify or streamline industrial manufacturing of products or services.
Research Scientists, PhD student, Field Application Specialist, QC Scientists, Project Manager, Science Communicator, Laboratory Manager, Operation Developer, Sales Representative, Patent Analyst, Research Associate.
KTH Scholarships
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two-year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals
The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals covers the tuition fee for a master's programme and also includes living costs. It is open to students from 33 countries with previous work and leadership experience. You apply directly to SI after completing your application to KTH.
SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM
The SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM covers the tuition fee of a selection of master's programmes at KTH and also includes living costs. It is open to female students from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam. You apply directly to SI after completing your application to KTH.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations, providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
- MESCYT for students from the Dominican Republic
- ANII for students from Uruguay
Scholarship portals
- IEFA database: The IEFA database offers a comprehensive scholarship search, grant listing, and international student loan programmes.
- Studyportals: The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarships and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
- Scholars4dev: Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
- WeMakeScholars: WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also list more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations, and the government. Bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrollment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students, as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.
Graduates of the programme will acquire the skills necessary for a professional career in the biotechnology industry or further academic studies. The Industrial Biotechnology sector is expanding worldwide, offering anyone with a master’s degree in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology vast career opportunities within the manufacturing of bioproducts or equipment, research and development, or biotechnological services - including those found in patent and consultant agencies, research policy, journalism and finances. Graduates work as research scientists, field application specialists, QC scientists, project managers, science communicators, laboratory managers, operation developers, sales representatives, patent analysts and research associates.
Many programme graduates go on to PhD studies at KTH or other prominent technical universities, including Karolinska Institute, University of Copenhagen, Université de Lausanne, TU Darmstadt, and Taipei Medical University.