Biomedical Engineering
Develop a breadth and depth of engineering skills and knowledge to address problems in medicine and biology.
Biomedical Engineering with a Year Abroad
Develop a breadth and depth of engineering skills and knowledge to address problems in medicine and biology.
Biomedical Engineering with a Year in Industry
Develop a breadth and depth of engineering skills and knowledge to address problems in medicine and biology.
Learn how to use technology to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives
Explore a range of disciplines – from mechanics and nanotechnology to physiology, programming and design
Enrich your studies with the opportunity to take a year abroad or put your knowledge into practice during a year in industry
Course key facts
Qualification
MEng
Duration
4 Years
Start date
October 2026
UCAS course code
BH9C
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£9,790 per year Home
£45,500 per year Overseas
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Applications: places
5 : 1 (2024)
Minimum entry standard
A*AA (A-level)
39 points (International Baccalaureate)
Qualification
MEng
Duration
4 Years
Start date
October 2026
UCAS course code
Apply to BH9C
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£9,790 per year Home
£45,500 per year Overseas
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Applications: places
5 : 1 (2024)
Minimum entry standard
A*AA (A-level)
39 points (International Baccalaureate)
Qualification
MEng
Duration
5 Years
Start date
October 2026
UCAS course code
Apply to BH9C
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£9,790 per year Home
£45,500 per year Overseas
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Applications: places
5 : 1 (2024)
Minimum entry standard
A*AA (A-level)
39 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
As a biomedical engineer, you'll learn to use technology to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives.
You will have the chance to take fundamental engineering principles and knowledge of the human body and see how they are applied to potentially life-changing projects.
This course will suit you if you're interested in learning about a range of disciplines – from mechanics and nanotechnology to physiology, programming and design. Your course will be rooted in practical activities across these subjects, learning in our state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary community.
With the ability to tailor your engineering interests to biomedical, electrical, mechanical or computational bioengineering, you'll be able to find a niche that suits you.
The skills you'll have the opportunity to develop will allow you to pursue careers in a range of sectors, whether it’s medical physics, starting your own company, or applying to a graduate medical programme.
As a biomedical engineer, you'll learn to use technology to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives.
You will have the chance to take fundamental engineering principles and knowledge of the human body and see how they are applied to potentially life-changing projects.
This course will suit you if you're interested in learning about a range of disciplines – from mechanics and nanotechnology to physiology, programming and design. Your course will be rooted in practical activities across these subjects, learning in our state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary community.
With the ability to tailor your engineering interests to biomedical, electrical, mechanical or computational bioengineering, you'll be able to find a niche that suits you.
In your final year, you'll complete an integrated year abroad at one of our partner universities, where you can challenge yourself in a different academic and cultural environment.
The skills you'll have the opportunity to develop will allow you to pursue careers in a range of sectors, whether it’s medical physics, starting your own company, or applying to a graduate medical programme.
As a biomedical engineer, you'll learn to use technology to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives.
You will have the chance to take fundamental engineering principles and knowledge of the human body and see how they are applied to potentially life-changing projects.
This course will suit you if you're interested in learning about a range of disciplines – from mechanics and nanotechnology to physiology, programming and design. Your course will be rooted in practical activities across these subjects, learning in our state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary community.
With the ability to tailor your engineering interests to biomedical, electrical, mechanical or computational bioengineering, you'll be able to find a niche that suits you.
In your fourth year, you'll complete a 12-month industry placement, where you'll gain invaluable real-world experience applying your theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.
The skills you'll have the opportunity to develop will allow you to pursue careers in a range of sectors, whether it's medical physics, starting your own company, or applying to a graduate medical programme.
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 will study all of the following core modules.
Core modules
Gain a fundamental understanding of the chemistry and materials science principles related to bioengineering, including how material properties are governed by their structure at different length scales. You’ll also explore the foundations of classical thermodynamics and its applications in biomedical engineering and molecular sciences.
Uncover how to select the most appropriate mathematical technique for problem-solving and develop a platform of mathematical knowledge.
Learn the fundamentals of digital logic design and computer programming as you examine how digital computers communicate with the real world.
Explore the principles of mechanics and electronics and the mathematical connections between the two. Gain practical experience working in electronics and mechanics labs and uncover how these concepts can be used to study bioengineering problems.
Develop a foundational understanding of the chemistry and materials science principles related to bioengineering. You’ll also cultivate wet lab skills in preparing a range of biomaterials and practising key classification techniques.
Discover the principles of engineering design and broaden your practical skills as you utilise appropriate tools and software to solve a variety of design problems.
You will study all of the following core modules.
Core modules
Build upon your previous mathematical studies and equip yourself with the essential skills and knowledge you’ll utilise for the remainder of your Biomedical Engineering programme.
Uncover the foundations of signal processing and linear control systems and their applications across the fields of bioengineering, biomedicine and medical engineering.
Examine the basic concepts of structural mechanics and their relevance in design and risk analysis, in addition to developing analytical skills in stress analysis. You’ll also explore key equations in the study of fluid mechanics and apply these concepts to fluids problems within a biomedical context.
Understand the fundamental concepts and physical laws for electrostatics and magnetostatics and examine their application to basic physical and engineering problems. Gain experience working with simple electronics circuits and DC ORCAD/SPICE simulation of simple transistor topologies.
Harness the principles of engineering design and professional practice while collaborating on a Design, Make and Test group project. Work in a team to tackle a real design problem, broadening your engineering design skills and applying learning from other modules to a practical challenge.
Advance your programming skills using the Python language. Engage in labs and assignments to develop coding fluency. Cover more complex programming skills, including data structures, object-oriented programming, and algorithm design.
Broaden your understanding of the principles of thermodynamics and heat and mass transport in the context of biomedical engineering. Learn how to analyse transport-related processes using advanced mathematics and dimensional analysis, and how to formulate, manipulate and solve equations governing heat and mass transport.
Explore a range of physiological concepts and systems, including the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal system, reproductive system and renal system. Learn about control processes in these systems, with an emphasis on the role of control, operational and design constraints within the nervous system.
In your third year, you will study four core modules.
You will also select two modules from the list of optional modules.
Some modules from other departments are offered (subject to availability) to enable you to study subjects related to Bioengineering in more depth. Please refer to the programme specification (at the bottom of this webpage) for further details.
Pathways
In your third year, you must choose between four biomedical engineering pathways:
- Bioengineering
- Mechanical Bioengineering
- Electrical Bioengineering
- Computational Bioengineering
Each pathway focuses on a different area within biomedical engineering, and each comprises its own set of compulsory modules.
Students transferred to the BEng programme do not need to choose a pathway, but must choose five optional modules in addition to the core modules.
Some optional modules listed may be compulsory for certain pathways. In this case, you will not be able to take the same module twice.
Some modules listed are hosted by other departments. These are subject to availability.
*Modules marked with an asterisk are level 7 modules. You will need to complete a minimum number of level 7 modules by the end of your degree.
Core modules (all pathways)
Examine probability theory and the mathematical concepts that underlie statistical models. Learn how to apply statistical models to real-world data and equip yourself with the statistical skills and knowledge required for the advanced years of your Bioengineering programme.
Gain experience and refine your skills in project management, time management, collaboration, reporting and general communication as you work in teams on a research project of your choice.
Uncover the mathematical and computational modelling techniques used in biology and physiology. Explore nonlinear dynamics, networks in biology and the basics of stochastic processes in biology and medicine, and apply theory to practice as you develop your own models using MATLAB.
Choose from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department and learn alongside students from other areas of study.
Bioengineering Pathway
Develop your understanding of electronics components and systems architecture and their applications in different types of biomedical instrumentation.
Mechanical Bioengineering Pathway
Explore the key concepts in biomechanics, including kinematics and kinetics of human locomotion and macro- and micro-circulatory mechanics in various organs. Learn methods for analysing gait and practical approaches to quantifying and controlling biofluid flows.
Gain an understanding of advanced concepts in fluid mechanics and numerical methods for computational fluid dynamics, and examine their applications within physiology.
Examine advanced topics in mechanical drawing, stress analysis and finite element simulation in the context of biomedical applications. Learn how to design for the manufacture of biomedical devices, and obtain the skills required to become a stress analysis engineer in the biomedical/mechanical engineering industry.
Electrical Bioengineering Pathway
Develop your understanding of electronics components and systems architecture and their applications in different types of biomedical instrumentation.
Examine digital image processing and image analysis methods, and develop an appreciation of the computation involved in interpreting or ‘parsing’ images. Learn about the biomedical, clinical and research applications of image processing and computer vision.
Uncover the fundamental principles and techniques for representing, transforming and processing discrete-time signals. Deepen your knowledge through the practical implementation of theoretical concepts in biomedical applications.
Computational Bioengineering Pathway
Examine digital image processing and image analysis methods, and develop an appreciation of the computation involved in interpreting or ‘parsing’ images. Learn about the biomedical, clinical and research applications of image processing and computer vision.
Leverage your existing programming skills and gain experience working in a development team on a significant bioengineering software project. Learn software engineering tools, including those required for project lifecycle management, requirements capture, design, modelling, testing and effective teamwork.
Uncover the fundamental principles and techniques for representing, transforming and processing discrete-time signals. Deepen your knowledge through the practical implementation of theoretical concepts in biomedical applications.
Optional modules
Uncover the fundamental principles and techniques for representing, transforming and processing discrete-time signals. Deepen your knowledge through the practical implementation of theoretical concepts in biomedical applications.
Explore the key concepts in biomechanics, including kinematics and kinetics of human locomotion and macro- and micro-circulatory mechanics in various organs. Learn methods for analysing gait and practical approaches to quantifying and controlling biofluid flows.
Examine digital image processing and image analysis methods, and develop an appreciation of the computation involved in interpreting or ‘parsing’ images. Learn about the biomedical, clinical and research applications of image processing and computer vision.
Gain an understanding of advanced concepts in fluid mechanics and numerical methods for computational fluid dynamics, and examine their applications within physiology.
Study the principles of genetic engineering, synthetic biology and the design of biological machines. Learn how to design CRISPR-based genome edits and metabolic biosynthesis pathways and apply this knowledge in a series of experimental lab practicals where you edit the genome of yeast and introduce new enzymes into these cells to get them to produce coloured pigments for art.
Learn how to design intuitive and efficient rehabilitation systems and assistive devices, integrating mechatronics, human factors and computer games. Understand how to assess current and emergent systems against the principles of human-centred design.
Develop your understanding of electronics components and systems architecture and their applications in different types of biomedical instrumentation.
Examine advanced topics in mechanical drawing, stress analysis and finite element simulation in the context of biomedical applications. Learn how to design for the manufacture of biomedical devices, and obtain the skills required to become a stress analysis engineer in the biomedical/mechanical engineering industry.
Examine the major classes of biomedical implant materials (including metals, ceramics and polymers), focusing on their clinical use as replacements for body parts or tissue and the various reasons for failure.
Discover the new interdisciplinary field of biomimetics, which explores how functional principles found in nature can inspire scientists and engineers to solve outstanding technological problems.
In your fourth year, you will complete a compulsory individual project module.
You will also select five optional modules from Group A, and one optional module from Group B.
You will not be able to take the same module twice. Some modules are hosted in other departments and are subject to availability.
Some modules from other departments are offered (subject to availability) to enable you to study subjects related to Bioengineering in more depth. Please refer to the programme specification (at the bottom of this webpage) for further details.
*Modules marked with an asterisk are level 7 modules. You will need to complete a minimum number of level 7 modules by the end of your degree.
Core modules
Draw upon the knowledge and skills you’ve developed throughout your degree to tackle an unfamiliar research problem. Gain an understanding of the research environment as you work independently on a year-long research project that will address unanswered questions and challenges within an area of bioengineering.
Optional modules - Group A
Gain an appreciation of the role of computational and theoretical approaches to understanding the nervous system. Apply your knowledge by developing code and using numerical tools to develop models of brain function and processes.
Uncover the science behind the interfacing of the human brain to electronic circuitry. Learn about newly developed technologies, such as brain-machine interfaces (restoring movement and communication for paralysed patients) and deep-brain stimulation (for treatment of Parkinson’s disease).
Analyse and discuss the scientific literature relating to core aspects of biological and clinical measurement. Broaden your understanding of data handling and fitness for purpose, chemical measurement in cells and in vivo, challenges of non-invasive chemical monitoring of human tissue and approaches to invasive monitoring of tissue.
Explore the application of engineering principles and approaches to the study of biomechanical behaviour, bridging between the molecular, cellular and tissue level scales. Apply your knowledge of the principles of solid and fluid mechanics to analyse and understand processes and structures across a range of length scales.
Learn how to analyse cell function and examine how cells transform mechanical stimuli into biochemical signalling. Understand how mechanical forces regulate biological and physiological function, mechanotransduction in physiological and pathological scenarios, and techniques to mechanically manipulate biological entities.
Examine the control of human movement from the perspectives of both adaptation of the neural control system, and adaptation of properties of the mechanical plant. Supplement your understanding by reviewing published literature and drawing upon approaches from physiology, engineering and computational neuroscience.
Develop your understanding of the basic mechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Explore the structure and function of the musculoskeletal tissues (bone, cartilage, muscle, tendon, ligament), the mechanics of the tissues, diseases and injury of the tissues, and associated clinical treatments.
Discover the new interdisciplinary field of biomimetics, which explores how functional principles found in nature can inspire scientists and engineers to solve outstanding technological problems.
Receive practical training in bio-inspired robotics locomotion and learn about selected topics in animal locomotion. Consolidate your theoretical knowledge by participating in hands-on activities and reinforce your engineering skills through the implementation of mechatronics systems.
Learn the basics of simulation, physical layout and verification of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) for bioengineering applications.
Gain insight into the process and challenges involved in the development of new products in the medical sector. Analyse case studies and hear guest presentations from startups, investment firms and entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences in bringing medical devices to market.
Discover the core neuroscience concepts and explore the 'state of the art' in regards to methodology and learn to provide multi-level descriptions of common brain disorders.
Assess the latest in nanotechnological advances in the field of cancer diagnostics and cancer therapies. You'll explore how academic research can directly impact, through applied science, the way cancer patients are screened, diagnosed, monitored and treated. Developing your skills in molecular bioengineering and its applications in: development of screening tools, diagnosis at the point of care and nanotechnologies for targeted drug delivery.
Examine the frontiers of biomaterials research and innovation by exploring the development of new biomaterials and highlighting their functionalities in various fields of application. Dive into their synthesis through the use of state-of-art technology such as synthetic biology and chemistry and biomimetic engineering.
Discover how engineering cell behaviours impact industrial biotechnology and the bioproduction of chemicals, sustainable agriculture, the environment and biofuels. Learn how academic research can lead to applied science with direct impact in industry and society.
Optional modules - Group B
Gain insight into the process and challenges involved in the development of new products in the medical sector. Analyse case studies and hear guest presentations from startups, investment firms and entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences in bringing medical devices to market.
Extend your practical knowledge across a range of business and management topics and gain an understanding of the financial, strategic, operational and organisational context in which engineering and science takes place.
Assess and discover the key information and skills needed by professional engineering in development of medical systems and devices. You'll explore product development for medical devices as well as safety, hazards and safe working practice.
You will study all of the following core modules.
Core modules
Gain a fundamental understanding of the chemistry and materials science principles related to bioengineering, including how material properties are governed by their structure at different length scales. You’ll also explore the foundations of classical thermodynamics and its applications in biomedical engineering and molecular sciences.
Uncover how to select the most appropriate mathematical technique for problem-solving and develop a platform of mathematical knowledge.
Learn the fundamentals of digital logic design and computer programming as you examine how digital computers communicate with the real world.
Explore the principles of mechanics and electronics and the mathematical connections between the two. Gain practical experience working in electronics and mechanics labs and uncover how these concepts can be used to study bioengineering problems.
Develop a foundational understanding of the chemistry and materials science principles related to bioengineering. You’ll also cultivate wet lab skills in preparing a range of biomaterials and practising key classification techniques.
Discover the principles of engineering design and broaden your practical skills as you utilise appropriate tools and software to solve a variety of design problems.
You will study all of the following core modules.
Core modules
Build upon your previous mathematical studies and equip yourself with the essential skills and knowledge you’ll utilise for the remainder of your Biomedical Engineering programme.
Uncover the foundations of signal processing and linear control systems and their applications across the fields of bioengineering, biomedicine and medical engineering.
Examine the basic concepts of structural mechanics and their relevance in design and risk analysis, in addition to developing analytical skills in stress analysis. You’ll also explore key equations in the study of fluid mechanics and apply these concepts to fluids problems within a biomedical context.
Understand the fundamental concepts and physical laws for electrostatics and magnetostatics and examine their application to basic physical and engineering problems. Gain experience working with simple electronics circuits and DC ORCAD/SPICE simulation of simple transistor topologies.
Harness the principles of engineering design and professional practice while collaborating on a Design, Make and Test group project. Work in a team to tackle a real design problem, broadening your engineering design skills and applying learning from other modules to a practical challenge.
Advance your programming skills using the Python language. Engage in labs and assignments to develop coding fluency. Cover more complex programming skills, including data structures, object-oriented programming, and algorithm design.
Broaden your understanding of the principles of thermodynamics and heat and mass transport in the context of biomedical engineering. Learn how to analyse transport-related processes using advanced mathematics and dimensional analysis, and how to formulate, manipulate and solve equations governing heat and mass transport.
Explore a range of physiological concepts and systems, including the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal system, reproductive system and renal system. Learn about control processes in these systems, with an emphasis on the role of control, operational and design constraints within the nervous system.
In your third year, you will study four core modules.
You will also select two modules from the list of optional modules.
Some modules from other departments are offered (subject to availability) to enable you to study subjects related to Bioengineering in more depth. Please refer to the programme specification (at the bottom of this webpage) for further details.
Pathways
In your third year, you must* choose between four biomedical engineering pathways:
- Bioengineering
- Mechanical Bioengineering
- Electrical Bioengineering
- Computational Bioengineering
Each pathway focuses on a different area within biomedical engineering, and each comprises its own set of compulsory modules.
Students transferred to the BEng programme do not need to choose a pathway, but must choose five optional modules in addition to the core modules.
Some optional modules listed may be compulsory for certain pathways. In this case, you will not be able to take the same module twice.
Some modules listed are hosted by other departments. These are subject to availability.
*Modules marked with an asterisk are level 7 modules. You will need to complete a minimum number of level 7 modules by the end of your degree.
Core modules (all pathways)
Examine probability theory and the mathematical concepts that underlie statistical models. Learn how to apply statistical models to real-world data and equip yourself with the statistical skills and knowledge required for the advanced years of your Bioengineering programme.
Gain experience and refine your skills in project management, time management, collaboration, reporting and general communication as you work in teams on a research project of your choice.
Uncover the mathematical and computational modelling techniques used in biology and physiology. Explore nonlinear dynamics, networks in biology and the basics of stochastic processes in biology and medicine, and apply theory to practice as you develop your own models using MATLAB.
Choose from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department and learn alongside students from other areas of study.
Bioengineering Pathway
Develop your understanding of electronics components and systems architecture and their applications in different types of biomedical instrumentation.
Explore the key concepts in biomechanics, such as kinematics and kinetics of human locomotion and macro- and micro-circulatory mechanics in various organs. Learn methods for analysing gait and practical approaches to quantifying and controlling biofluid flows.
Examine the major classes of biomedical implant materials (including metals, ceramics and polymers), focusing on their clinical use as replacements for body parts or tissue and the various reasons for failure.
Mechanical Bioengineering Pathway
Explore the key concepts in biomechanics, including kinematics and kinetics of human locomotion and macro- and micro-circulatory mechanics in various organs. Learn methods for analysing gait and practical approaches to quantifying and controlling biofluid flows.
Gain an understanding of advanced concepts in fluid mechanics and numerical methods for computational fluid dynamics, and examine their applications within physiology.
Examine advanced topics in mechanical drawing, stress analysis and finite element simulation in the context of biomedical applications. Learn how to design for the manufacture of biomedical devices, and obtain the skills required to become a stress analysis engineer in the biomedical/mechanical engineering industry.
Electrical Bioengineering Pathway
Develop your understanding of electronics components and systems architecture and their applications in different types of biomedical instrumentation.
Examine digital image processing and image analysis methods, and develop an appreciation of the computation involved in interpreting or ‘parsing’ images. Learn about the biomedical, clinical and research applications of image processing and computer vision.
Uncover the fundamental principles and techniques for representing, transforming and processing discrete-time signals. Deepen your knowledge through the practical implementation of theoretical concepts in biomedical applications.
Computational Bioengineering Pathway
Examine digital image processing and image analysis methods, and develop an appreciation of the computation involved in interpreting or ‘parsing’ images. Learn about the biomedical, clinical and research applications of image processing and computer vision.
Leverage your existing programming skills and gain experience working in a development team on a significant bioengineering software project. Learn software engineering tools, including those required for project lifecycle management, requirements capture, design, modelling, testing and effective teamwork.
Uncover the fundamental principles and techniques for representing, transforming and processing discrete-time signals. Deepen your knowledge through the practical implementation of theoretical concepts in biomedical applications.
Optional modules
Uncover the fundamental principles and techniques for representing, transforming and processing discrete-time signals. Deepen your knowledge through the practical implementation of theoretical concepts in biomedical applications.
Explore the key concepts in biomechanics, including kinematics and kinetics of human locomotion and macro- and micro-circulatory mechanics in various organs. Learn methods for analysing gait and practical approaches to quantifying and controlling biofluid flows.
Examine digital image processing and image analysis methods, and develop an appreciation of the computation involved in interpreting or ‘parsing’ images. Learn about the biomedical, clinical and research applications of image processing and computer vision.
Gain an understanding of advanced concepts in fluid mechanics and numerical methods for computational fluid dynamics, and examine their applications within physiology.
Study the principles of genetic engineering, synthetic biology and the design of biological machines. Learn how to design CRISPR-based genome edits and metabolic biosynthesis pathways and apply this knowledge in a series of experimental lab practicals where you edit the genome of yeast and introduce new enzymes into these cells to get them to produce coloured pigments for art.
Learn how to design intuitive and efficient rehabilitation systems and assistive devices, integrating mechatronics, human factors and computer games. Understand how to assess current and emergent systems against the principles of human-centred design.
Develop your understanding of electronics components and systems architecture and their applications in different types of biomedical instrumentation.
Examine advanced topics in mechanical drawing, stress analysis and finite element simulation in the context of biomedical applications. Learn how to design for the manufacture of biomedical devices, and obtain the skills required to become a stress analysis engineer in the biomedical/mechanical engineering industry.
Understand the fundamental concepts of tissue development and learn how researchers are using these concepts to imitate nature in a lab setting, engineering cells and tissues that may be used to model diseases, treat diseases or develop drugs.
Examine the major classes of biomedical implant materials (including metals, ceramics and polymers), focusing on their clinical use as replacements for body parts or tissue and the various reasons for failure.
Discover the new interdisciplinary field of biomimetics, which explores how functional principles found in nature can inspire scientists and engineers to solve outstanding technological problems.
The final year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either France, Singapore, Switzerland, or the USA.
We currently have exchange agreements with:
- Grenoble INP (part of Université Grenobles Alpes), France
- National University of Singapore, Singapore
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- University of California, USA
This is an integrated year abroad so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your 51³Ô¹ÏÍø degree.
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