Can you help me apply for a second master's degree abroad since I have completed my first master's in biotechnology but want to pursue another master's abroad because I do not have any research papers for a PhD in UK/New Zealand?

A second master's can absolutely bridge your gap to a PhD, but it only works if you pick a research-heavy format instead of another taught degree, since admissions and immigration teams want to see clear academic progression rather than a sideways repeat. An MRes or MSc by Research gives you the lab time and thesis experience your first biotechnology master's may have lacked.

Which Program Type Actually Closes the Gap

Universities and Your Action Plan

• UK targets: University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, Imperial College London, and University of Nottingham.
• New Zealand targets: University of Auckland, University of Otago, and University of Canterbury.
• In your SOP, explain clearly why your first master's was coursework-heavy with limited lab research, and how this MRes or specialized master's gives you the exact technical skills you still need.
• Reach out to potential supervisors before applying, especially for MRes or research-heavy New Zealand programs, since a matched supervisor strengthens your application significantly.

My Advice

Before committing to a full second master's, check whether your shortlisted UK universities offer an Integrated PhD or MRes/PhD track, since some run a 4-year program where the first year is an MRes that rolls directly into the 3-year PhD if you pass, potentially saving you an entire separate degree. Either way, lead your SOP with your thesis project, lab techniques like CRISPR or PCR, and data analysis skills, since those are your strongest evidence without published papers.