Medical Device Design and Entrepreneurship
Develop analytical and entrepreneurial skills towards a career in bioengineering.
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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White City
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Minimum entry standard
2:1 in an Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematical, Life Sciences or Biomedical Sciences subject
Course overview
Build your appreciation of biomedical engineering and enhance your entrepreneurial skills on this Master's course.
You'll develop research and analytical skills related to bioengineering before specialising in the area of medical device development.
You'll then examine the processes required to get a device to market, from concept to business planning and market emergence.
Much of the training is based around an extended project aimed at developing a start-up business plan around a medical device concept.
This work will prepare you for an innovative career in bioengineering or business.
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.
Core modules
Explore key data analysis methods used in bioengineering and life sciences research. Learn how to apply statistical techniques and integrate them into your own research projects.
Learn essential skills to communicate your business ideas effectively in a variety of media, from traditional outlets to social media platforms. You'll learn about different audiences including angel investors, venture capital and grant-funding bodies, government and regulatory bodies, and the general public.
Develop core skills and learn key concepts to plan, start and run a technology business in medical devices. You'll gain a critical understanding of fundraising and financial planning, contracts and law, and business negotiation, through lectures, case studies and practical workshops.
Start your research journey by exploring the market landscape for your medical device idea. In this module, you’ll analyse user needs and industry trends to build a strong case for the technology you’ll develop in your multi-term project.
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 two optional modules.
Example modules are shown here, but are subject to availability.
Optional modules
Explore the core aspects of biological and clinical measurement such as data handling, sampling and measurement.
Understand the fundamental biological and biophysical processes involved in cancer and the application of bioengineering to better understand and manage the disease.
Become familiar with the major classes of biomedical implant materials including metals, ceramics and polymers.
Cover the scope of biomimetics and investigate the principles that help engineers solve technical problems using inspiration from nature.
Please note: this is a capped module and is subject to availability.
Discover technology used in clinical settings for interfacing of the human brain to electronic circuitry.
Appreciate the role of computational and theoretical approaches to understanding the nervous system.
Explore the latest nanotechnological advances in the field of cancer diagnostics and cancer therapies.
Gain a grounding in core neuroscience concepts and understand the ‘state of the art’ with regard to research methodology.
Discover the mechanics of the musculoskeletal system, including the structure and function of the musculoskeletal tissues.
Examine how images of the body can be obtained using different forms of penetrating radiation and how different forms of imaging work.
Examine fundamental concepts in normal tissue development and discuss their imitation within a lab setting.
Build on the knowledge and skills from the course and apply them to current engineering, design and research problems that interest you.
The project helps you to develop important project management, team working and communication skills that are highly valued by employers and international research groups.
The majority of work is undertaken in the summer term, when you will be expected to work on the project full time.
The project may involve collaboration with groups in other Imperial departments or with industry.
Testimonials
Professional accreditation
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This degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Our course accreditations are renewed every five years (renewal due 2029).
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures and tutorials
- Independent study
- Research project
- 9% Title 1 goes here
- 30% Title 2 goes here
- 61% Title 3 goes here
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
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Flipped teaching
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may be different depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Coursework
- Exams
- Practical
- 50% Title 1 goes here
- 10% Title 2 goes here
- 40% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Written exams
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Oral presentations
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Written reports
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Dissertation
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Final thesis
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Practical training elements
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Poster presentations
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
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.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
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.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee - Bioengineering courses, 1 year full-time
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £19,400.
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.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee - Bioengineering courses, 1 year full-time
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £45,000.
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.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at Imperial help my career?
The first of its kind in the UK, this MSc aims to enhance medical device development.
A significant research project will prepare you for careers in entrepreneurship, finance, venture capital, engineering, and other roles that demand critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in biomedical engineering or similar fields.
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 startups, large company management, consultancy, VC/finance. engineering and research.
Further links
Contact the department
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 5146
Email: be.pgadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Jun Ishihara
Programmes Director: Dr Choon Hwai Yap
Visit the Department of Bioengineering website.
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Events, tasters and talks
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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