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Biomedical Engineering (Biomechanics and Mechanobiology)
Focus on bioengineering problems related to systems to understand how mechanical forces impact biological function.
Explore bioengineering problems related to major diseases and associated with an ageing population
Get industry recognition with an accredited degree
Apply your knowledge to current research problems on an individual 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
October 2023
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£16,600 Home
£38,600 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 2023
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2:1 Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, physical sciences or mathematical subject
Course overview
Gain technical knowledge, expertise and transferable skills in bioengineering on this Master's course.
Deepen your understanding of how bioengineering can tackle modern healthcare challenges and examine bioengineering problems related to major diseases associated with an ageing population. These include cardiovascular disease, glaucoma and bone and joint disease.
This stream focusses on bioengineering problems related to systems including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, ophthalmic, and respiratory systems. The content is aimed at understanding how mechanical forces impact biological function at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and organism levels.
An individual research project is a key component of the course, allowing you 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
- Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (this stream)
- 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.
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.
Explore the principles of mechanics, such as solid mechanics and fluids mechanics, and their application to living systems
Understand advanced concepts in fluid mechanics and the implementation of numerical methods for computational fluid dynamics.
Introduces the application of engineering principles and approaches towards the study of biomechanical behaviour from a cellular to tissue scale.
Introduces the basic mechanics of the musculoskeletal system, covering the structure and function of the musculoskeletal tissues, the mechanics of the tissue, diseases and injury.
You’ll choose three optional modules.
Optional modules
Examine fundamental concepts in normal tissue development and discuss their imitation within a lab setting.
Examine biomechanics on a cellular scale and investigates methods of sensing and cell manipulation.
Assess the control of human movement from the perspective of both adaptation of the neural control system and adaptation of properties of the mechanical plant.
Cover the scope of biomimetics and investigate the principles that help engineers solve technical problems using inspiration from nature.
Explores advanced topics in mechanical drawing, stress analysis, and finite element simulation including nonlinear material models appropriate for biomedical applications.
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 online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 3 deadline closes on Friday 30 June 2023
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.
- Round 1 deadline: Friday 6 January 2023. Decision can be expected by Friday 10 February 2023.
- Round 2 deadline: Friday 17 March 2023. Decision can be expected by Friday 28 April 2023.
- Round 3 deadline: Friday 30 June 2023. Decision can be expected by Friday 28 July 2023.
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 MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
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
2023 entry
£16,600
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.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount was £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2023 entry
£38,600
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.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount was £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Your Future 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: bg-mscadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Course and Programmes Director: Dr Neal Bangerter
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