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Biomedical Engineering (Computational Bioengineering)
Apply mathematical models and techniques to biological data to improve our understanding of how organisms function and how diseases progress.
Discover how computational and theoretical modelling is essential to our understanding of how organisms function and disease progress
Advance your knowledge of machine learning and its applications in biomedical engineering research
Apply your research expertise to an extended project exploring a bioengineering area of interest
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 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 in an engineering, physical sciences or mathematical subject
Course overview
Learn how to select and apply mathematical models and techniques to biological data on this Master's course.
You'll discover how computational and theoretical modelling is essential to our understanding of how organisms function and how diseases progress.
You'll also build your familiarity with machine learning and its applications in biomedical engineering research.
Through a series of modules and an extended research project, you'll explore how developments in computational capabilities can offer us more advanced insights into a range of biomedical engineering problems.
Regular seminars and workshops with guest speakers from different bioengineering specialisms will also provide you with opportunities to broaden your understanding of current research in the field.
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
- Computational Bioengineering (this stream)
- 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.
Examine digital image processing relevant to image analysis and appreciate aspects of computation involved in interpreting images.
Analyse the basic concepts and techniques for representing, transforming, and processing discrete-time signals.
Understand reinforcement learning and its mathematical foundations.
You’ll choose three optional modules.
Optional modules
Work as part of a development team on a significant bioengineering software project.
Cover the scope of biomimetics and investigate the principles that help engineers solve technical problems using inspiration from nature.
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.
Examine how images of the body can be obtained using different forms of penetrating radiation and how different forms of imaging work.
Introduces a range of appropriate mathematical models to model biological systems and analyse complex biological data.
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.
The project will be based in Bioengineering, but may involve collaboration with groups in other Imperial departments or with industry.
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
- 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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Presentations
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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
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 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 3 closes on Friday 28 June 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 your 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.
You can only apply to one MSc Biomedical Engineering stream per academic year/cycle. Our admission tutors will review your application for the stream you have applied for, if considered unsuccessful for your chosen stream you will be considered for our other streams before a final decision is processed.
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.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
This career-oriented degree allows you to pursue opportunities in a rapidly expanding field.
Around 60% of postgraduates find employment upon graduation, while just over a third opt for continued study or training.
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Get essential skills to pursue opportunities across a variety of career paths.
You can pursue a career in a range of sectors – with sought after skills in medicine, healthcare and the medical devices industry.
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