Engineering for Biomedicine
Learn how to tackle modern healthcare challenges with bioengineering technology.
Learn how to tackle modern healthcare challenges with bioengineering technology
Develop your research skills in one of the UK’s leading centres for MedTech innovation
Take a multidisciplinary approach to your learning to enhance your career options
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£18,500 Home
£42,900 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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White City
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Minimum entry standard
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2:1 in a Clinical Science, Life Science, or Physical Science subject where there is significant human biology content
Course overview
Discover how bioengineering can help tackle modern global healthcare challenges in this cross-disciplinary MSc course.
Bioengineers are leading the way in improving lives through the development of rapid testing technologies and design of new life-saving devices. This course will help you develop the technical understanding and problem-solving skills needed to flourish in the increasingly important field of biomedical engineering.
You'll learn how to apply this knowledge to the development of life-saving technologies using an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Ethical issues will also be examined, where you'll explore the implications of potential medical devices.
Teaching will be shared across our South Kensington and White City campuses, including at the Sir Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, Imperial's new centre for MedTech innovation.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take all of these core modules, and apply your research skills to an extensive individual research project.
You will also choose one module from Group A.
Core modules
Unpick the basic principles of mathematics, computational thinking, basic electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and physics.
Obtain foundational knowledge of programming and statistical methods necessary to complete your extended research project.
Develop your ability to critically analyse the latest research in Biomedical Engineering and advance your scientific writing and presentation skills.
Group A
Deepen your understanding of the key skills needed by professional engineers in the development of medical systems and devices, specifically in the preparation of regulatory approval.
Explore various aspects of medical device entrepreneurship, looking at case studies from start-ups, industry and investment firms to gain a sense of the process and challenges in developing your own business idea.
You’ll choose five optional modules, including up to two from Group B, and between three and five from Group C.
Optional modules – Group B
Familiarise yourself with the core aspects of biological and clinical measurement such as data handling, sampling and measurement.
Examine how images of the body can be obtained using different forms of penetrating radiation and how different forms of imaging wor
Learn about the major classes of biomedical implant materials, including metals, ceramics and polymers, their use in the body and reasons for failure.
Explore the scope of biomimetics and investigate the principles that help engineers solve technical problems using inspiration from na
Discover the frontiers of biomaterials research and innovation, which are closely linked to tissue engineering in regenerative medicine and beyond.
Optional modules – Group C
Deepen your knowledge of the basic mechanics of the musculoskeletal system, covering the structure and function of the musculoskeletal tissues, the mechanics of the tissue, diseases and injury.
Uncover fundamental concepts in normal tissue development and discuss their imitations within a lab setting.
Understand the broad fundamental biological and biophysical processes that are involved in the initiation, maintenance and progression of cancer.
Delve into the different industrial applications of cellular engineering and synthetic biology and find out how applying this science can have a direct impact in industry and society.
Examine biomechanics on a cellular scale and investigate methods of sensing and cell manipulation.
Learn the basic physics of ionising radiation as safely implemented in radiotherapy, and gain an overview of the range of applications in the treatment of patients with ionising radiation.
The individual research project will give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned in the rest of the course to current research problems.
You'll develop important project management, teamwork and communication skills that are highly valued by employers and international research groups.
The work should demonstrate independence and originality, and will be carried out under the guidance of a member of the academic staff and their research group.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures and seminars
- Independent study
- 15% Lectures and seminars
- 85% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Study groups
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Tutorials
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Computing labs
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Presentations
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Virtual learning environment
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Guest lectures
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Independent study
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Exams
- Practical
- 35% Coursework
- 35% Exams
- 30% Practical
Assessment methods
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Problem sheets
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Lab reports
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Practical demonstrations
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Project reports
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Oral presentations
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Poster presentations
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In-class progress tests
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Written exams
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Oral exams
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Apply by Thursday 16 January 2025
- Decision by Thursday 6 March 2025
Round 2
- Apply by Thursday 27 March 2025
- Decision by Thursday 1 May 2025
Round 3
- Apply by Thursday 15 May 2025
- Decision by Thursday 17 July 2025
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
Applicants with MSc Engineering for Biomedicine as their second choice will only be considered if they are unsuccessful at gaining a place on their first-choice programme.
Applicants will be placed in the gathered field based on when their complete application becomes eligible for this programme, normally the first working day after they have received a decision on their first-choice programme.
Applications received after the final deadline are not considered. It is your responsibility to liaise with your first-choice course if you wish to withdraw from that choice in order to be considered for MSc Engineering for Biomedicine.
Applicants are advised to apply within the gathered fields to ensure equal consideration.
We occasionally have spaces for applications made later.
Please email [email protected] before applying.
We endeavour to give a final accept or reject decision on all applications by the published date.
However, a small number of applicants may receive a “waiting list” decision, to allow us to fairly compare applicants across gathered fields.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£18,500
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£42,900
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in biomedical engineering or similar fields.
Around 60% of postgraduates find employment upon graduation, while just over a third opt for continued study or training.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Medicine, healthcare and the medical device industry are just some of your options.
Other potential career paths could include research, teaching, start-ups, consultancy and finance.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 5146
- Email: [email protected]
Course Director: Dr Victoria Salem
Programmes Director: Dr David Labonte
Visit the Department of Bioengineering website.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications