Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The M.Sc. Biotechnology programme at St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Ahmedabad is a 2-year, 4-semester self-financed postgraduate course offered under the Department of Biochemistry-Biotechnology, established in 1979. Affiliated to Gujarat University and accredited with A+ (CGPA 3.27) by NAAC, the programme offers a total intake of 30 seats and is delivered in full-time, on-campus mode. The curriculum blends molecular biology, genetic engineering, microbial biotechnology, and industrial applications with rigorous laboratory training, research projects, and entrepreneurship programmes. With strong industry linkages and a research-oriented faculty, the programme prepares graduates for careers in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial biotechnology sectors. The total course fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 1,71,800 (based on 2026-27 fee structure).

Admissions for the 2027-28 academic year are expected to open tentatively in May 2027, based on the 2026-27 cycle where the portal opened on May 6, 2027. The college conducts a merit-based selection process supplemented by a college-level entrance exam (online, 45 minutes, based on BSc Biotechnology syllabus). Candidates are advised to monitor the official admissions portal at admissions.sxca.edu.in regularly for updates on application dates and merit lists.

Key Points

The Department of Biochemistry-Biotechnology was established in 1979 and is one of the most reputed PG science departments in Gujarat, with a strong track record in research and placements.
The programme features dedicated laboratories for plant and animal cell culture, along with a central laboratory facility equipped for advanced research.
Entrepreneurship programmes are embedded in the curriculum, encouraging students to explore biotech startups and innovation.
Students benefit from NET/GATE coaching, national seminars, colloquia, and science competitions organised by the department.
Eminent scientists from premier research institutions regularly visit the department to interact with and mentor students.
The department library houses over 2,100 books and international journals, supporting in-depth academic and research work.
The programme is offered in the Noon shift (11:10 AM to 5:45 PM).

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

SXCA M.Sc. Biotechnology Fees

The M.Sc. Biotechnology programme at SXCA is a self-financed course with a per-semester fee of Rs. 42,950 for the academic year 2026-27. The total fee for the entire 2-year (4-semester) programme amounts to Rs. 1,71,800. The fee structure is component-wise and approved by the Governing Body. Registration and Alumni fees are applicable only for non-Xavierite students in Semester I.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Per Semester (Rs.)	Total (4 Semesters) (Rs.)
Academic Fees	35,000	1,40,000
Registration Fee	350*	350*
Examination Fees	3,500	14,000
Miscellaneous Fees	500	2,000
Library	1,000	4,000
Administrative Charges	500	2,000
Alumni Fees	500*	500*
Society Fees	1,600	6,400
Total Fees	42,950	1,71,800

Hostel Fees

Hostel	Fee Details
Men's Hostel (On-Campus)	Rs. 10,000/semester (boarding & lodging) + Rs. 3,000 deposit + Rs. 200 admission form = Rs. 13,200/semester; Mess: Rs. 2,600/month
Ladies Hostel (1 km from campus)	Rs. 4,000/month + Rs. 2,600/month (mess) + Rs. 1,800 (maintenance & other charges)

*Registration Fee and Alumni Fees are applicable only for non-Xavierite students in Semester I only.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory and is subject to availability. Securing college admission does not guarantee hostel admission.
Convocation fee of Rs. 260 (to be paid directly to Gujarat University online) and Graduation Day ceremony fee of Rs. 750 will be added in Semester IV.
Placement fee will be added in Semester III.
Cancellation before the specified deadline incurs a deduction of Rs. 1,000; after the deadline, Rs. 5,000 will be deducted.
Fees may be revised upwards in forthcoming years after due approval from the competent authority.
Refund of tuition fees is governed by Gujarat University Ordinance 159(5). Full fees are refunded in case of death of the student. Tuition fee (including lab fee) is refunded after deductions if a student applies within 15 days of admission to a professional course.

SXCA M.Sc. Biotechnology Admission 2027

Admissions to M.Sc. Biotechnology at SXCA are merit-based, supplemented by a college-level entrance exam. The 2026-27 admission cycle saw the portal open on May 6, 2027, with the entrance exam conducted on June 14, 2027 (online, 45 minutes, based on BSc Biotechnology syllabus). For 2027-28, similar dates are expected tentatively. The process is entirely online, and candidates must monitor the official admissions portal regularly for merit list announcements.

College Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2027-28)
Admission Portal Opens (Application Registration)	Early May 2027
Last Date to Apply	Late May 2027
College Entrance Exam (Online, 45 min)	Mid-June 2027
Merit List Declaration	Late June 2027
Fee Payment / Admission Confirmation	Late June - Early July 2027
Batch Commencement (Semester I)	July 2027

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Purpose	Registration	Exam Date
CSIR-NET (Life Sciences)	JRF/Lectureship eligibility for research/teaching	May 1-21, 2027	Jul 25-27, 2027
GATE (Biotechnology/Life Sciences)	PG admissions / research fellowships	Aug-Oct 2027	Feb 2028
CUET-PG	Admission to central universities for M.Sc. (alternative)	Dec 2026 - Jan 2027	Mar 2027

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed B.Sc. with any Biological Sciences (Botany, Zoology, Life Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology) from a recognized university.
Minimum aggregate marks as per Gujarat University norms (generally 50% or above in the qualifying examination).
Candidates from boards other than Gujarat University must obtain a Provisional Eligibility Certificate (PEC) from Gujarat University before applying.

Admission Process

Register on the official admissions portal at admissions.sxca.edu.in and pay the non-refundable application fee of Rs. 500 online.
Fill in the complete admission form (Part 1 - Registration; Part 2 - Form fill-up with qualifying exam marks).
Upload required documents: mark sheets, school leaving certificate, caste/category certificates (if applicable), passport-size photographs.
Appear for the college-level entrance exam (online, 45 minutes, based on BSc Biotechnology syllabus).
Merit list is prepared based on qualifying exam marks and entrance test performance.
Shortlisted candidates are notified via email/SMS/WhatsApp to complete fee payment within the stipulated timeframe.
Admission is confirmed only after successful online fee payment.
No offline applications are entertained.

St Xavier's Ahmedabad: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 1 Reviews

The biochemistry and biotechnology department is highly regarded for its supportive and qualified staff, with most faculty members capable of PhD guidance. They are actively involved in addressing both academic and extracurricular concerns, maintaining mentorship even after course completion. Regular mentoring sessions ensure that students' questions are answered thoroughly. The college focuses on research-oriented education, supporting students interested in further studies and research careers, with substantial backing from the Xavier's Research Foundation (XRF).

The tuition fees for the Master of Science (self-financed) in Life Science range from 32,000 to 35,000 INR per semester, depending on the semester. During the fourth semester, students can choose to conduct research dissertations either within the college under guidance or externally, but semester fees remain mandatory. Scholarships are available at both state and national levels to support students financially.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

SXCA M.Sc. Biotechnology Scholarships 2027

St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad is committed to making quality education accessible through a combination of government scholarships and management-funded financial aid. During the last academic year, financial aid of over Rs. 4 lakh was disbursed to approximately 29 students across programmes. Students enrolled in self-financed programmes like M.Sc. Biotechnology can approach the SF Office (Ground Floor, XICA Building) for assistance.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarship / Financial Aid	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
SXCA Management Financial Aid	Financially disadvantaged students; merit considered	Variable; covers tuition, textbooks, transport, mess, hostel fees
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) - Government of Gujarat	SC/ST students	As per government norms; credited directly to bank account
OBC/SEBC/EWS Scholarship - Government of Gujarat	OBC/SEBC/EWS students	As per government norms; credited directly to bank account
Central Sector Scholarship (MHRD/GoI)	Merit-cum-means; 12th marks above 80th percentile	Rs. 10,000/year (for PG students)
INSPIRE Scholarship (DST)	Top 1% in Class 12 board exams; pursuing natural sciences	Rs. 80,000/year
Merit-Based Prizes (SXCA)	Excellence in academics, sports, research, social service, cultural activities	Variable cash prizes and recognition

Government scholarships are credited directly to students' bank accounts upon approval.
Students must apply for government scholarships through the respective state/central portals within the announced deadlines.
Management financial aid applications should be submitted to the SF Office at the beginning of the academic year.
INSPIRE Scholarship is applicable for students who have secured admission in natural sciences (Biotechnology qualifies) and were in the top 1% of their respective state boards in Class 12.

St Xavier's Ahmedabad M.Sc Biotechnology Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#62 out of 277 in India 2025

#1st in Ahmedabad

#1 in Gujarat

Indiatoday Ranking

#35 out of 217 in India 2025

#1st in Gujarat

The Week Ranking

#32 out of 100 in India 2025

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SXCA M.Sc. Biotechnology FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between M.Sc. Biochemistry and M.Sc. Biotechnology at SXCA, and which one should I choose?

Ans. Both programmes are offered by the same department (Biochemistry-Biotechnology) at SXCA. M.Sc. Biochemistry focuses more on the chemical and molecular basis of biological processes, enzyme kinetics, metabolism, and clinical applications. M.Sc. Biotechnology has a broader applied focus covering genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, industrial bioprocesses, and agricultural biotechnology. If you are inclined towards research in molecular biology or clinical diagnostics, Biochemistry may suit you better. If you are interested in biotech industry, genetic engineering, or entrepreneurship, Biotechnology is the better choice. Biotechnology also has a larger intake (30 seats vs 20 for Biochemistry).

Ques. What is the total fee for M.Sc. Biotechnology at SXCA for the complete 2-year course?

Ans. Based on the 2026-27 fee structure, the per-semester fee is Rs. 42,950, making the total for 4 semesters Rs. 1,71,800. Note that Registration Fee (Rs. 350) and Alumni Fee (Rs. 500) are charged only once in Semester I for non-Xavierite students. Additional charges include a Placement fee in Semester III and Convocation/Graduation Day fees (Rs. 260 + Rs. 750) in Semester IV.

Ques. Does SXCA's M.Sc. Biotechnology programme have industry tie-ups or internship opportunities?

Ans. Yes, the Department of Biochemistry-Biotechnology at SXCA has strong industry connections with pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms. Internship opportunities are embedded in the curriculum, and students regularly undertake project work with industry partners. The department also runs entrepreneurship programmes to encourage students to explore biotech startups. Eminent scientists from premier research institutions visit the department regularly for interactions and mentoring.

Ques. What are the career prospects after M.Sc. Biotechnology from SXCA?

Ans. Graduates from SXCA's M.Sc. Biotechnology programme find opportunities in pharmaceutical and biotech companies (as Research Associates, QC/QA Analysts, Production Executives), agricultural biotech firms, government research labs (CSIR, ICAR, DBT-funded institutes), hospitals (clinical research), and academic institutions. Many students also pursue Ph.D. programmes at IITs, IISc, CSIR labs, and international universities. Starting salaries in the biotech industry typically range from Rs. 2.5 to 5 LPA for fresh M.Sc. graduates, with research fellowship stipends (JRF) of Rs. 31,000/month for CSIR-NET qualifiers.

Ques. Is the M.Sc. Biotechnology entrance exam at SXCA difficult? What is the syllabus?

Ans. The college-level entrance exam is an online test of 45 minutes based on the general syllabus of BSc Biotechnology. It covers topics from undergraduate Biotechnology including cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, and basic bioprocess engineering. The exam is designed to assess conceptual understanding rather than rote learning. Students who have a strong foundation in their BSc Biotechnology/Life Sciences subjects generally find it manageable.

Ques. Can a student with a B.Sc. in Zoology or Botany apply for M.Sc. Biotechnology at SXCA?

Ans. Yes. The eligibility for M.Sc. Biotechnology at SXCA is B.Sc. with any Biological Sciences, which includes Botany, Zoology, Life Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Students from Zoology or Botany backgrounds are eligible to apply, though they may need to put in extra effort in subjects like molecular biology and genetic engineering that are more directly covered in Biotechnology/Biochemistry undergraduate programmes.

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Why To Join St Xavier's Ahmedabad - Reviews & Rating

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Diptiben Parmar

3.8Helpful

M.Sc, Biotechnology

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

Pros And Cons of Xavier's

Dislikes

There were also cons of it like the time is too much for lecture and lab session

Fees and Financial Aid:

So honestly if you want in-house place then don't go cause they totally focused on the research field based activities they want to make student their best version in research. They mainly focuses on the giving you the best education for your further studies and reasearch field.They always supports the students for every activity.And also there were their own research facility called XRF which stands for Xavier's research foundation.And for fee structure the fees for per semester is from 32k to 35k based on odd even semester, this is the common fee structure of almost master in science (self financed course ) in life science field.They also allow the research dissertation in 4th semester where you allow to do research work in your selected subject under the guidance of provided mentors subject or also you can do research from outside of college the gave exemption but you have to pay fees of your semester as well.Also the every scholarship is awarded either state or national.

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