Our MBE integrates advanced teaching in biological and medical sciences with core principles of business and management, alongside ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks relevant to the commercialisation of scientific innovation.

Science and technology, business and transitionary modules are taught in each term, integrating commercial know-how with advances in research.  The programme is highly participatory and includes practical elements in the form of interdisciplinary projects, workshops, case studies and business planning activities. All components of the course are compulsory and students are required to study intensively.

Students will benefit from:

• diverse and first-hand knowledge of life science research commercialisation and business activities from business and academic contributors 
• case-studies of biotech firms by senior executives from the companies themselves, illustrating the commercial exploitation of scientific discoveries from a practical standpoint and providing an insight into the managerial challenges that arise in high tech companies
• excellent business networking opportunities within Cambridge, Europe's leading biotech cluster, and beyond
• the breadth of cultural and enterprise activities available throughout the wider University innovation ecosystem

Knowledge and Understanding

Students gain an understanding of the following:

• How contemporary life sciences and medical research leads to exploitable science and commercial products.
• Elements of management, including for example research and development in a commercial environment, client skills and interaction, and financing.
• Technology transfer, from academia to industry and from industry to industry.
• Law and intellectual property frameworks, relating to companies and individuals.
• Social and ethical issues, including fundamental constraints when applying scientific research to the development of new bioscience products.
• Global biotechnology trends, which may include for example contrasts and comparisons between different markets.

Skills and other attributes

• Presentational skills to articulate information and arguments in a logical and compelling manner both within a personal and team working context.
• The ability to assess potential value in areas of cutting edge bioscience technology – and to be able to develop innovations to allow these to reach their fill commercial and societal impact.
• Entrepreneurial skills required to set up a business, pitch for funding, manage product development projects and ventures - along with securing regulatory approval for products or services where appropriate
• Analytical skills to assess business plans – and in turn to develop business plans in the context of the life sciences and biotechnology.
• Interpersonal, negotiation and other client focussed skills.
• Report writing skills appropriate for different audiences.

For me, the most stimulating lectures are those where I am learning first hand from entrepreneurs, but I also appreciate the breadth of topics covered in the course and diverse opportunities to hear from people across the industry. The varied educational and cultural backgrounds of my colleagues provide stimulating perspectives for group work and opportunities to combine skills to explore new business opportunities.

Jenny Versnel, MBE alumini

The MBE programme provided me with discipline specific knowledge, transferable business and management skills and a comprehensive understanding of the global healthcare industry. The professional network I developed through this programme will continue to benefit my career pursuits in the future.

Celine Zeng, MBE alumini