MEng Biomedical Engineering with a Year Abroad
Enrich your study of Biomedical Engineering with a year abroad in this professionally accredited, integrated Master's degree.
Key information
Award
MEng
Duration
4 years
full-time
Applications : admissions ratio
4 : 1
Based on 2020 entry data
- UCAS course code: n/a*
- ECTS: 240
- Start date: October 2022
- Department: Department of Bioengineering
- Campus: South Kensington
* Apply initially for MEng Biomedical Engineering (BH9C)
Overview
Biomedical engineers use their technological knowledge and understanding to help people live longer, healthier, happier lives. You learn a broad range of engineering skills, develop your ability to collaborate and solve problems, and work on projects in medicine and biology with life-changing potential.
You study many subjects, including engineering mathematics, mechanics, nanotechnology, biomaterials, electronic engineering, physiology, programming and design. You develop a deep understanding of fundamental engineering principles and an extensive knowledge of how the human body works.
As you move through the course you progress to more advanced engineering studies that apply the quantitative aspects of engineering analysis and design to a broad range of biomedical problems.
You also have access to a range of state-of-the-art facilities. These are designed to support practical activities across the subjects covered by this field. This creates an interdisciplinary community that you are very much part of.
You also have the chance to complete an integrated year abroad in your final year at one of our partner universities where you can challenge yourself in a different academic and cultural environment.
Study programme
All Biomedical Engineering students follow a compulsory programme of study for the first two years, covering foundational engineering topics such as mathematics, computing, electronics and mechanics and develop your understanding of the human body.
The first two years are designed to ensure that all students achieve a common breadth and depth of knowledge. You will also follow a module developing your design skills and professional practice. At the end of the second year you will have a broad knowledge base which will provide a platform for specialisation.
In the third and fourth years, you choose modules tailored to your interests and can specialise in one of four pathways:
- Bioengineering
- Electrical Bioengineering
- Mechanical Bioengineering
- Computational Bioengineering
Optional modules are available from other departments of the Faculty of Engineering. In this case you will attend the same lectures and take the same assessments as the senior year students in the hosting department. This confirms that the first two years have provided a solid platform for specialisation. The knowledge, understanding and skills that you acquire throughout the Faculty will be translated into a Bioengineering themed final year individual project.
In the third year you are also required to select an I-Explore module hosted outside of the department so that you will be taught alongside students from other degree programmes. These modules include business and management modules as well as other topics outside the Bioengineering discipline that will allow you to apply your knowledge in a new context.
Transfer between courses
Students interested in this degree should apply for the MEng in Biomedical Engineering (BH9C) in the first instance. You then have the option to transfer in your third year if you meet the appropriate academic standard for selection.
Alternatively, you may choose to undertake a paid industrial placement by transferring to our MEng in Biomedical Engineering with a Year in Industry.
We also offer a new MEng in Molecular Bioengineering. The main difference between this course and the new course is that Biomedical Engineering takes a top-down approach, looking first at the whole organism, injury or problem and then working down to a cellular level. By contrast, Molecular Bioengineering takes a bottom-up approach, first looking at cells and molecules, then building up from tissues and organs to the whole organism or human.
Transfer between the MEng Biomedical Engineering and the MEng Molecular Bioengineering is rare and you would need to have met the entry requirements for both programmes.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Structure
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about them.
Year 1
You take all of the core modules listed below.
- Bioengineering Science 1
- Mathematics 1
- Computer Fundamentals and Programming 1
- Mechanics and Electronics 1
- Medical and Biological Science 1
- Design and Professional Practice 1
Year 2
Core modules
You take all of the core modules listed below.
- Mathematics 2
- Signals and Control 2
- Fluid and Solid Mechanics 2
- Electronics and Electromagnetics 2
- Design and Professional Practice 2
- Programming 2
- Bioengineering Science 2
- Medical Science 2
Year 3
In third year, students on the MEng programme will have the chance to choose between four biomedical engineering pathways. Each focuses on different areas within biomedical engineering including different core modules. They can then choose two additional optional modules.
Students transferred to the BEng programme do not need to choose a pathway, but must choose five optional modules in addition to the compulsory modules.
Core modules (all pathways)
Students on every pathway will take the following core modules:
- Probability and Statistics for Bioengineering
- MEng Group Project
- Modelling in Biology
You will also undertake one I-Explore module.
Bioengineering pathway
Core modules
On this pathway you take all of the core modules listed below.
- Biomedical Instrumentation
- Biomechanics
- Biomaterials for Bioengineers
Electrical Engineering pathway
Core modules
On this pathway you take all of the core modules listed below.
- Biomedical Instrumentation
- Image Processing
- Digital Biosignal processing
Mechanical Engineering pathway
Core modules
On this pathway you take all of the core modules listed below.
- Biomechanics
- Physiological Fluid Mechanics
- Biomedical Advanced and Computational Stress Analysis
Computational Bioengineering pathway
Core modules
On this pathway you take all of the core modules listed below.
- Image Processing
- Programming 3
- Digital Biosignal processing
Optional modules (all pathways)
In addition to your core modules, you will have the option to choose two optional modules from those listed below:
- Digital Biosignal processing
- Biomechanics
- Image Processing
- Physiological Fluid Mechanics
- Foundations of Synthetic Biology
- Human Centred Assistive and Rehabilitation Devices
- Manufacturing Technology and Management
- Machine System Dynamics
- Biomedical Instrumentation
- Biomedical Advanced and Computational Stress Analysis
- Advanced Signal Processing
- Control Engineering
- Advanced Electronic Devices
- Optoelectronics
- Design-led Innovation and Enterprise
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials
- Communicating Biomedical Science and Engineering
- Biomimetics*
Some optional modules listed may be compulsory for certain pathways. In this case, you will not be able to take the same module twice. Some modules listed are hosted by other departments. These are subject to availability.
* Modules marked with an asterisk are level 7 modules. You will need to complete a minimum number of level 7 modules by the end of your degree.
Year Abroad
Opportunities
The final year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either Australia, France, Singapore, Switzerland or the USA. We currently have exchange agreements with:
- University of Melbourne, Australia
- University of Grenoble, France
- National University of Singapore, Singapore
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- University of California, USA
This is an integrated year abroad so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperial degree.
Conditions
Language proficiency
Teaching is in the language of your host country in France, so you will need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before you go. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.
Availability
There are limited places available on the Year Abroad programme, which means that competition for selection is strong and a placement cannot be guaranteed.
Normally, only students with marks of 60% or above will be eligible for placements in France and Germany. Only students with marks of 70% or above will be eligible for placements in Singapore and the USA.
Other
- Please note the above is an illustrative list of universities located abroad which the Department is currently partnered with. Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.
- There may be limitations placed upon your ability to live and study in these locations. If applicable you will need to successfully apply for the relevant visa. This applies to all students, including Home students, in light of the UK's decision to leave the European Union. Find the latest information on Imperial and the EU.
- Study abroad placements in Europe are currently available through the Erasmus scheme. Imperial College now has approval to continue implementing its 2020-21 Erasmus project into 2021-22. Find the latest information on the Erasmus scheme.
Download the programme specification [PDF] – this is the most up-to-date version available for this course. It may change for your year of entry. If/when changes to this course are approved by the College, we will update this document and the information on this course page.
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
Professional accreditation
This degree is professionally accredited by the following organisations on behalf of the Engineering Council:
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
- Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
- Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
- Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)
Accreditation will prepare you for a career in the rapidly growing field of bioengineering. It provides a technical foundation for careers in engineering by demonstrating you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency.
Achieving a professionally accredited integrated Master's degree (MEng) means that you have satisfied the first step to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) in your chosen field by satisfying the educational requirements of professional registration. To gain Chartered status, you will need to demonstrate your ability to meet additional graduate level competences described in the Engineering Council's UK-SPEC.
A CEng is a highly respected qualification earned by professionals working in engineering, which can lead to higher earning potential and better career prospects.
Professional registration also brings international recognition of your qualification, which is particularly useful for students preparing for a career abroad.
Our accreditation agreements are renewed every five years, with the current accreditation agreement due to be renewed in 2023. The Department expects to be accredited into the future.
Associateship
As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) on completion of this course.
The City and Guilds of London Institute is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Imperial College London in 1907.
Find out more about our Associateships.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
You will experience a variety of teaching styles, which combine theory and practice:
- Laboratory sessions
- Lectures
- Guest lectures
- Make, build and test activities
- Tutorials
- Study groups
Our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, is used as a repository for teaching materials including ecordings of all lectures, lecture notes and problem sheets. Learning technologies will be used to support teaching activities including in-class polling with Mentimeter, online self-diagnostic quizzes and online class forums.
The laboratory sessions will include wet, computing and mathematics laboratories which provide a practical element to teaching and assessment.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of face-to-face sessions and independent learning. While your actual contact hours may vary according to the optional modules you choose to study, the following gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the programme.
The expected total study time is 1500 hours per year.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures, seminars and similar | 400 hours | 400 hours | 250 hours | Varies by institution |
| Independent study, group projects and individual research project | 1,100 hours | 1,100 hours | 1,250 hours | Varies by institution |
| Based on the typical pathway through the course | ||||
Assessment
Assessment varies between modules, but for the majority it involves some combination of written exams, practical and continuous assessment of coursework. Other assessment methods include:
- Assessed coursework (problem sheets, laboratory reports, practical demonstrations, project reports)
- Examinations (in class progress tests, mastery examinations (online/written), writtern examinations)
- Oral and poster presentations
Assessment types
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 30% | 30% | 47% | Varies by institution |
| Examinations | 70% | 70% | 53% | |
| Based on the typical pathway through the course; percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number | ||||
* Dependent on the syllabus at the partner university during your year abroad.
Staff expertise
At Imperial, you will be taught by a range of teachers of all levels from Professors to PhD students, including some who undertake groundbreaking research and are regarded as experts in their field.
You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the College.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.
For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.
A-levels
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2022 entry is A*AA overall, to include:
- A* in Mathematics
- A in Physics
- A in another subject
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Typical offer range
As a guide, here are the typical offers made to at least 80% of A-level applicants for 2020 entry:
- Three A-level offer: A*AA–A*A*A
Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)
If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.
The practical endorsement is part of the reformed English linear A-levels.
Language requirement
A language qualification may be required for the Year Abroad degree.
Additional Mathematics support
Our A-level Mathematics online course covers a range of key topic areas to help you gain a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques required to succeed in your A-level Mathematics exams.
This optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus with the aim of developing your thinking skills, fluency and confidence.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is available free of charge via the EdX website. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
International Baccalaureate
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2022 entry is 39 points overall, to include:
- 6 in Mathematics at higher level
- 6 in Physics at higher level
- 6 in a third subject at higher level
Typical offer range
As a guide, the typical offer made to at least 80% of IB applicants for 2020 entry was 39–40 points.
Language requirement
A language qualification may be required for the Year Abroad degree.
Mathematics Higher Level for award in 2022
For entry in 2022, the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level, but Analysis and Approaches is preferred.
Additional Mathematics support
Our A-level Mathematics online course is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Advanced Placements
The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Imperial.
If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Imperial alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.
Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.
Our minimum requirement for this course is grades 5, 5, 5 to include:
- 5 in Calculus AB or BC
- 5 in Physics 1 or 2 or C
- 5 in another subject (Chemistry or Biology are preferred)
You may also require a relevant language qualification for this year abroad degree.
Additional Mathematics support
We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Other qualifications
Places will also be available to those with other equivalent qualifications, e.g. European Baccalaureate, some of the national Baccalaureates in the European Union, Scottish Qualifications, Irish Leaving Certificate, and to applicants with appropriate educational experience or other competencies. See admission of students with other competencies.
Selection process
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Post-application open day and interview
When assessing applications, we will consider your examination results (already gained and predicted), your motivation and understanding of biomedical engineering as a career, your potential for leadership and teamwork, your interests and the referee’s report.
If your UCAS application indicates that you are likely to satisfy our entry requirements and you may be invited to an online interview.
Additional activities will include a talk from our department, a group activity and a virtual tour of our department.
Foundation programmes
A foundation course is a one-year preparation course, designed for international students, which leads to undergraduate programmes in the UK. Foundation programmes are normally for school-leavers who have studied a non-British curriculum but wish to pursue a degree at a UK university.
Foundation programmes are offered by many UK universities, but only two would be considered for entry to Imperial:
- UCL’s Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE), and
- Warwick’s International Foundation Programme (IFP) in Science & Engineering
UCL UPCSE
A year-long programme for international students whose school leaving qualifications do not allow them direct entry to UK universities. Students must complete four modules across the year – two compulsory and two elective modules:
| Module | Status |
|---|---|
| Research and Academic Skills: Science and Society | Compulsory |
| Academic English | Compulsory |
| Biology | Elective |
| Chemistry | Elective |
| Mathematics | Elective |
| Physics | Elective |
| Information correct at time of publishing, but subject to change | |
To be considered for admission to Biomedical Engineering, international students studying UCL UPCSE must achieve:
- 80% overall
- 80% Mathematics + Physics
Warwick IFP Science and Engineering
A year-long programme for international students whose school leaving qualifications do not allow them direct entry to UK universities.
To be considered for admission to Biomedical Engineering, international students studying Warwick IFP Science and Engineering must achieve:
- 80% overall
- 80% Mathematics + Physics
To meet these requirements, students should choose from the following IFP pathways:
- Engineering
Contextual admissions
We want to make sure that the Imperial learning community is as diverse as the society we serve. So to make our admissions process as fair as possible, we have introduced admissions schemes for Home students that allow us to consider your application in the full context of any additional barriers you may face.
Find out if you meet the eligibility criteria for our contextual admissions schemes.
If your predicted grades meet the minimum College entry standard of AAA at A-level or an equivalent level qualification in the relevant subjects, this department will guarantee you an interview.
Read more about the contextual admissions scheme in this department and others.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for undergraduate applicants.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students who apply for this course.
For more information about the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), please see the International Student Support website.
View our terms and conditions on visas.
Competence standards
Our competence standards highlight the core skills students should be able to demonstrate by the end of this course.
View the Department of Bioengineering's competence standards [PDF]
We believe in providing the widest practicable access to all of our degree programmes and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support your study. For more information, please contact the Department using the contact details below.
Department of Bioengineering
T: +44 (0)20 7594 2259
E: be.ugadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Tuition fees and funding
We charge tuition fees for every year that your course lasts. The fee you will be charged is based on your fee status, which is determined by government regulations.
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£9,250 per year.
Year abroad
£1,385 for that year.
Read more about funding for year abroad placements.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£35,100 per year.
Year abroad
100% of the relevant fee for that year.
Read more about funding for year abroad placements.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts. For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Additional course costs
This section outlines additional costs relevant to this course. These are not included in your tuition fees. It's possible that all, or only some, of these will be relevant to you.
Figures are approximated, usually based on costs in the most recent academic year. They are likely to change each year but it's useful for you to be aware of the things you may have to pay for. This can help you budget for life at Imperial.
Mandatory costs are those that you will need to pay to fully participate in and complete your studies. Optional costs are not essential to your studies so you can opt-out of these.
| Description | Mandatory/optional | Guide to cost |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment (boiler suit) | Mandatory | £20 |
| Equipment (electronics kit) | Optional | £13 |
| Equipment (laptop computer) | Optional | n/a |
| Health Insurance | Mandatory | Varies |
| Return flight | Mandatory | Varies |
| Visa costs | Mandatory | Varies |
| Please review the information below for more information on the costs listed in the table. | ||
Equipment
The nature of the academic work you will be completing means you will need to wear protective clothing during practical sessions.
You are required to have a boiler suit, which you will need during the second year of the course.
You have the option of purchasing an electronics kit.
You can buy both items from the Department in advance of when they are needed. Payment is in cash.
Laptop computer
Though a laptop computer is not a mandatory requirement, if you are to use one for classes and coursework, it is recommended that your laptop computer meets a minimum specification. For the 2018–19 academic year this was:
- Windows 10 capable
- Intel i5/i7 6th/7th generation processor
- 8GB RAM
- 256 GB SSD HDD
Placements and year abroad
If you are undertaking a placement or year abroad, you may have to consider the costs involved. These will vary, depending on the location of your year abroad or placement.
Costs may include flights, transport, visas, travel insurance, health insurance and living expenses such as accommodation.
Find out more about the types of placement costs
Student status with the Year Abroad
If you spend an academic year abroad, you will retain your student status at Imperial so that you will normally remain eligible for the same loans and grants that you would receive in the UK. As an exchange student, you will not pay tuition fees to the host institution abroad.
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
Most Imperial undergraduates choose to live in our halls of residence in their first year. You can compare costs across different accommodation options.
Bursaries and scholarships
Careers
Our degrees will not only prepare you for a career in the rapidly growing field of bioengineering, but also provide a technical foundation for careers in mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, materials engineering and medical physics. Some graduates also launch their own startup companies, whilst others apply to enter graduate medical programmes.
Recent graduates of the Department have become:
- Graduate Engineer, Orthopaedic and neurosurgery company
- GSK Future Leaders Programme, GSK
- Biomedical Imaging Scientist, Medtech company
- Trainee Clinical Bioinformatician, NHS
- PhD student, Francis Crick Institute
How to apply
UCAS key information
- UCAS course code: n/a*
- UCAS institution code: I50
Apply on UCAS
You can start and track your application on UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices.
* Apply initially for MEng Biomedical Engineering (BH9C)
Application deadlines
Applications are now closed.
Any questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions.
If you have a disability or impairment, the Disability Advisory Service are here to support you and answer your questions.
Related departments
You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:
Connect with us
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T: +44 (0)20 7594 2259
E: be.ugadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
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