Engineering for Biomedicine
Learn how to tackle modern healthcare challenges with bioengineering technology.
Learn how to tackle modern healthcare challenges with bioengineering technology
Develop your research skills in one of the UK’s leading centres for MedTech innovation
Take a multidisciplinary approach to your learning to enhance your career options
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£19,400 Home
£45,000 Overseas
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 a Clinical Science, Life Science, or Physical Science subject where there is significant human biology content
Course overview
Discover how bioengineering can help tackle modern global healthcare challenges in this cross-disciplinary MSc course.
Bioengineers are leading the way in improving lives through the development of rapid testing technologies and design of new life-saving devices. This course will help you develop the technical understanding and problem-solving skills needed to flourish in the increasingly important field of biomedical engineering.
You'll learn how to apply this knowledge to the development of life-saving technologies using an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Ethical issues will also be examined, where you'll explore the implications of potential medical devices.
Teaching will be shared across our South Kensington and White City campuses, including at the Sir Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, Imperial's new centre for MedTech innovation.
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, and apply your research skills to an extensive individual research project.
You will also choose one module from Group A.
Core modules
Unpick the basic principles of mathematics, computational thinking, basic electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and physics.
Learn data analysis methodologies and understand how to integrate these concepts into your research projects.
Develop your ability to critically analyse the latest research in Biomedical Engineering and advance your scientific writing and presentation skills.
Group A
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 five optional modules, including up to two from Group B, and between three and five from Group C.
Optional modules – Group B
Familiarise yourself with the core aspects of biological and clinical measurement such as data handling, sampling and measurement.
Examine how images of the body can be obtained using different forms of penetrating radiation and how different forms of imaging wor
Learn about the major classes of biomedical implant materials, including metals, ceramics and polymers, their use in the body and reasons for failure.
Discover the frontiers of biomaterials research and innovation, which are closely linked to tissue engineering in regenerative medicine and beyond.
In this module, you will gain a core understanding of how cancer develops, progresses and is managed, and you will examine the challenges that shape the field today. You will apply engineering principles and explore next-generation technologies to advance the understanding and treatment of cancer.
Optional modules – Group C
Deepen your knowledge of the basic mechanics of the musculoskeletal system, covering the structure and function of the musculoskeletal tissues, the mechanics of the tissue, diseases and injury.
Uncover fundamental concepts in normal tissue development and discuss their imitations within a lab setting.
Delve into the different industrial applications of cellular engineering and synthetic biology and find out how applying this science can have a direct impact in industry and society.
Examine biomechanics on a cellular scale and investigate methods of sensing and cell manipulation.
Learn the basic physics of ionising radiation as safely implemented in radiotherapy, and gain an overview of the range of applications in the treatment of patients with ionising radiation.
Explore the scope of biomimetics and investigate how principles from nature inspire solutions to technological challenges. You will examine biological strategies across molecular to systems levels and apply them to engineering innovation.
Please note: this is a capped module and is subject to availability.
You'll also carry out an individual research project that will give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge to current research problems. Project work is concentrated in the Spring and Summer terms, and you should demonstrate independence and originality under the guidance of a member of academic staff. The project work will be designed to help you to develop important project management, team working and communication skills that are highly valued by employers and international research groups.
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 seminars
- Independent study
- Research project
- 12% Title 1 goes here
- 44% Title 2 goes here
- 44% 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
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
- 35% Title 1 goes here
- 35% Title 2 goes here
- 30% Title 3 goes here
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 presentations
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Poster presentations
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In-class progress tests
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Written exams
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Oral 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 2 closes on Wednesday 7 January 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 Monday 29 September 2025
- Applications close on Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 8 January 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 6 May 2026
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Decision by Thursday 2 July 2026
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.
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
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
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.
Applicants with MSc Engineering for Biomedicine 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 gathered field 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.
Applications received after the final deadline are not considered. It is your responsibility to liaise with your first-choice course if you wish to withdraw from that choice in order to be considered for MSc Engineering for Biomedicine.
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.
Fees and funding
Home fee - All Bioengineering courses
2026 entry
£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 £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- 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 - All Bioengineering courses
2026 entry
£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 £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- 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?
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 Director: Laki Pantazis
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