Biomedical Engineering (Biomaterials)
Explore the use of advanced biomaterials in medical and surgical environments.
Explore the use of advanced biomaterials in medical and surgical environments
Get industry recognition with an accredited degree
Develop project management, teamwork and communication skills on an individual research project
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year full-time
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Start date
September 2024
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£17,600 Home
£40,900 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 Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, physical sciences or mathematical subject
Course overview
Advance your understanding of key aspects of bioengineering in relation to biomaterials on this Master's course.
You'll gain the technical knowledge and transferable skills required to pursue a career in bioengineering, while developing specialist expertise in the field of biomaterials.
You'll explore both existing and new biomaterials and their application in medical and surgical devices.
You'll also examine the development of materials for new applications, the response of cells, and the design of materials as scaffolds for tissue engineering.
An individual research project is a key component of your studies. This provides you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge to current research problems.
Teaching is shared across our South Kensington and White City campuses. This includes the Sir Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, our new centre of MedTech innovation.
Biomedical Engineering streams
- Biomaterials (this stream)
- Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
- Computational Bioengineering
- Medical Physics
- Neurotechnology
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
Develop your ability to critically analyse the latest research in Biomedical Engineering and advance your scientific writing and presentation skills.
Learn how to describe organ systems and their functions, covering everything from the cardiovascular system to brain function and the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems.
Understand basic statistical analyses and their application and obtain a fresh view of statistical concepts.
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.
Become familiar with the major classes of biomedical implant materials and their use in the body and reasons for failure.
Examine fundamental concepts in normal tissue development and discuss their imitation within a lab setting.
Analyse the latest development in hard tissue biology and tissue engineering.
You’ll choose three optional modules.
Optional modules
Explore the principles of mechanics, such as solid mechanics and fluids mechanics, and their application to living systems
Cover the scope of biomimetics and investigate the principles that help engineers solve technical problems using inspiration from nature.
Introduces a range of appropriate mathematical models to model biological systems and analyse complex biological data.
Become familiar with the latest advanced features of medical imaging (CT, X-ray, MR and US) and their use in modern hospital practice.
Examine how images of the body can be obtained using different forms of penetrating radiation and how different forms of imaging work.
Apply knowledge from the course to current research problems on an extended individual project.
You'll develop important project management, teamwork and communication skills highly valued by employers and international research groups.
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 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 accreditation agreements are renewed every five years and the current agreement runs until 2023.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures and seminars
- Research project
- 15% Lectures and seminars
- 85% Research project
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Computing labs
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Virtual learning environment
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Guest lectures
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Independent study
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Presentations
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Study groups
Balance of assessment
Key
- Practical
- Coursework
- Exams
- 30% Practical
- 35% Coursework
- 35% Exams
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 exams
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In-class progress tests
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Poster presentations
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Written exams
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply now
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Friday 5 January 2024
We consider applications to this degree in three rounds. When you apply will determine which round your application is considered in.
Please note, a completed application includes your most recent transcript, personal statement and two acceptable references. Make sure you check that these aspects of your application are received by the relevant date.
We recommend applicants keep track of whether their references have been sent and be proactive in following up with their referees if necessary.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Apply by Friday 5 January 2024
- Decision can be expected by Friday 9 February 2024
Round 2
- Apply by Friday 15 March 2024
- Decision can be expected by Friday 26 April 2024
Round 3
- Apply by Friday 28 June 2024
- Decision can be expected by Friday 26 July 2024
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.
It is important to include you stream choice in your application for the programme as places on the relevant streams may fill up and become unavailable.
If a stream preference is not included on your application, you will be contacted by the department to indicate a preference of stream before your application is considered complete.
We try to accommodate changes of stream requests after an offer has been made, but please note streams are capped so this is not always possible.
Applicants with MSc Biomedical Engineering 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 application round 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.
It is advisable to clearly denote your stream choice in your personal statement as this cannot be included on the application form for second choices.
Applicants are advised to apply within the gathered fields to ensure equal consideration.
We occasionally have spaces for applications made later.
Please email be.pgadmissions@imperial.ac.uk 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
2024 entry
£17,600
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2024 entry
£40,900
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Your career path
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: bg-mscadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Course and 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