Engineering (Bioengineering)

Program Overview

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Start Dates

• September 2026
• September 2025

Degree Type

MEng

Course Length

4 years full-time

Location

Durham City

UCAS Code

H911

Typical Offers

| A Level | AAA | | BTEC | DDD | | International Baccalaureate | 38 |

Course Details

This four-year degree delivers the breadth and depth that you will need to succeed in the world of engineering. It is designed to produce graduates who will go on to lead engineering teams.

A common first two years in General Engineering provide you with the broad knowledge required to work effectively on multi-disciplinary engineering problems. The course structure offers a huge amount of flexibility – you could join us on a bioengineering engineering pathway but decide to pursue civil engineering at the end of your second year. We believe in empowering our students to make informed decisions that would best serve their future careers.

After your first two years, you will start to specialise in areas of Civil, Electrical, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering, and supplement this discipline-specific knowledge with Engineering Design activities and focused practical skills. You can further specialise in your final year, with additional specialist content in Aeronautical Engineering, Renewable Energy, and Bioengineering, learning advanced topics at the forefront of engineering knowledge whilst working with a world-leading academic on a research and development dissertation, the highlight of many of our students’ degrees.

Throughout your studies you encounter a mixture of core theoretical engineering concepts, underpinning mathematics, practical engineering skills, engineering design, ethics and professional issues. A combination of group and individual activities and assessments, working alongside both students and staff, will provide you with the opportunity to develop your interpersonal, teamworking and leadership skills.

Course Structure

Year 1 Modules

Core Modules:

Following the Department’s General Engineering ethos, you will study three core engineering subjects alongside mathematics and engineering practice. You will examine theoretical concepts alongside developing skills in computer- aided design (CAD), computing, engineering design and professional issues.

• Solid Mechanics and Structures gives you a working knowledge of solid mechanics, structures and structural analysis, in a wider engineering context.
• Electronic and Electrical Systems provides you with a working knowledge of electrical and electronic circuit theory, components, electromagnetism and digital electronics.
• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics introduces knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics including dimensional analysis, fluid statics and fluid dynamics.
• Engineering Practice provides you with practical engineering skills relevant to multiple engineering disciplines. It shows how the material covered in other modules comes together in the wider engineering application context, and will also introduce you to engineering ethics and professional issues.
• Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists gives you the underpinning maths skills and techniques needed to study Engineering and other sciences.

Optional Modules:

Students take an elective module in their first year. In recent years optional modules have included:

• Introduction to Programming
• Computational Thinking
• Languages

Year 2 Modules

Core Modules:

The second year builds further core engineering knowledge and practical skills across core general engineering areas of Civil, Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, alongside mathematics and a significant Engineering Design project. Core areas of study include:

• Engineering Mathematics provides a working knowledge of probability and statistics and advanced mathematical methods for modelling and analysing engineering problems.
• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics gives you further working knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
• Solid Mechanics and Structures builds your knowledge of the mechanics of dynamics and vibration, stress analysis, structures and the mechanics of soils, and introduces you to finite element methods.
• Electrical Engineering introduces you to electrical machines and systems and provides you with knowledge of mathematical methods for modelling engineering problems.
• Electronics gives you a knowledge of electronics and computing for analogue circuits, sensors, digital electronics and microprocessor design.
• Engineering Design will introduce you to various aspects of the design process including the principles of engineering design and project management. You will undertake a major design project with guidance from an academic supervisor and an external (industrial) engineer.

Year 3 Modules

Core Modules:

Assuming you continue to follow the bioengineering degree, you will begin to undertake more specialised content in bioengineering whilst still recognising the importance of engineering as a multidisciplinary subject. In your third year, you will start to focus on mechanical engineering and related subjects such as electrical engineering and materials. You will continue to develop your skills in engineering design. Core areas of study include:

• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics introduces knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics including dimensional analysis, fluid statics and fluid dynamics.
• Solid Mechanics develops principles in the subject areas of dynamics, materials, computational stress analysis and fatigue. Practical skills computational stress analysis is also developed.
• Materials gives you an understanding of processing–structure–properties relationships. It will introduce you to commercially important manufacturing and processing techniques including life-cycle analysis.
• Electrical Engineering advances your knowledge of fundamental concepts and techniques electromechanical energy conversion and delivery. It introduces the foundations of power electronics in modern industrial applications alongside renewable energy integration within modern energy networks.
• Control and Signal Processing builds your knowledge of different mathematical techniques used in the design and analysis of control systems. You will also learn about analysis methods for both continuous and discrete signals.
• Engineering Design will enhance your understanding of the design process and the way theoretical work supports engineering design. It will give you an introduction to innovation and business aspects of engineering design projects.

Year 4 Modules

Core Modules:

The core modules in Bioengineering introduce you to advanced and state-of-the- art concepts and applications in areas such as physiological fluid mechanics, biomechanics, artificial organs, tissue engineering, AI and deep learning.

TheMEng Research and Development Project provides an open-ended challenge for you to undertake research working closely with an academic supervisor. You will identify and initiate methods to investigate the topic, generate and analyse data, formulate conclusions and recommendations and present the work in a written report and oral exam. This project is a highlight of your degree, and an amazing opportunity to carry out your own research and to develop the professional skills required to become an engineering leader.

Optional Modules:

Students typically take an optional module in the final year, allowing you to explore interests or topics that might be outside your core specialism. In recent years optional modules have included:

• Environmental Engineering
• Non-Linear Solid Mechanics
• Optimisation and Control for AI

Accreditation

Our MEng engineering degrees are fully accredited by:

• The Institution of Civil Engineers (Civil Engineering discipline)
• The Institution of Structural Engineers (Civil Engineering discipline)
• The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (Civil Engineering discipline)
• The Institute of Highway Engineers (Civil Engineering discipline)
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology
• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• The Royal Aeronautical Society (MEng Aeronautical discipline)

Our MEng programmes satisfy the academic base for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC.

Learning

Lectures provide you with key information on a particular field of study and allow you to work through practical examples. Practical sessions give you direct experience of practical and interpretative skills through laboratory classes, design activities and a Professional Engineering Applications Course (PEAC). The balance of these activities changes over the course of the degree, as you develop your knowledge and independence.

Advancing through the years, tasks in practical sessions become more open- ended, moving towards greater emphasis on independent study and research skills which is echoed through the research and development project that you will undertake in Year 4. This project will be supervised by a member of academic staff, and will result in a significant piece of independent research.

Assessment

In the first three years, most modules are assessed primarily by examinations. However, modules typically also include a coursework component, covering subjects such as CAD, programming and engineering design.

The balance of examination/coursework changes towards the end of the degree – half of the final-year mark is based on a dissertation research project, working one-to-one with an academic or industry partner.

Entry Requirements

A level offer –A*AA

including Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics.

Contextual offer – AAB

including A in Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics.

Click here for more information on contextual offers and to check your eligibility.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma –D*DD and Mathematics at grade A at A level (or equivalent) are required.

IB Diploma score –38 with666 in higher level subjects including Mathematics and one STEM subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics).

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements and the degree-specific entry requirements, please note:

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements. Please see our ‘Alternative qualifications’ section, below. For many there would still be the requirement to have Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics A Level in addition to an alternative qualification.
• Science A levels: Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.
• You are welcome to apply if you are taking resits; resitting your qualification(s) will not negatively affect your application.
• We are willing to consider applications for deferred entry. You can find further information regarding changes to your application here.
• If you have any questions regarding the entry requirements for this course, please contact us via our Ask Us form.
• You can find further information on how we assess your application in our Admissions Policy.

Alternative Qualifications

• Other UK qualifications
• EU qualifications
• International qualifications

**International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete anInternational Foundation Year.****Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for ourFoundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes. **

English language requirements

Country specific information

Fees and Funding

The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study.

More information is available here: Tuition Fees - Durham University

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.

Find out more about Scholarships and Bursaries

Career Opportunities

Engineering

We have an outstanding reputation for employability. Our students have a dedicated careers contact who is available to offer advice and carry out mock interviews. Our Industrial Partnership Committee of around 20 local, national and international companies will ensure you have access to the best employment opportunities.

With subject specific skills, industry knowledge and transferable skills, such as problem solving, information technology, teamwork, presentation, project planning and management, you will be attractive to employers across many sectors.

Our graduates are employed in many sectors across the world including roles in civil, mechanical, electronic, electrical, manufacturing, design, aeronautics and systems engineering, and as consultants, technology analysts and software developers. Examples of high-profile employers include BP, Rolls Royce, and BAE Systems.

Of those students who graduated in :

• 92% in work or further study.

Of those in employment:

• 97% in highly skilled employment.
• £33,000 is the average salary.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here

Department Information

Engineering

Enter the exciting world of engineering and gain the skills you need to plan, design and analyse engineering projects aligned to the needs of local, national and global industry.

Engineering at Durham is designed to develop talented, modern engineers who are equipped with the skills to solve problems across traditional discipline boundaries – from offshore wind turbines to electro-mechanical devices manufactured on a microchip.

With an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability, we are one of only a small number of general engineering departments in the UK. We offer a range of BEng and MEng qualifications with flexible pathways to suit your interests and career goals, including the possibility of a work placement or year abroad.

We consider Engineering as an integrated subject so, whichever degree you choose, you will study common General Engineering for the first two years. After this time, you will have developed enough knowledge to make an informed decision about your future, both in terms of your discipline and the length of your degree, with transfer possible between the courses up to the end of the second year.

All courses are accredited by the relevant professional institution. Our MEng programmes fulfil the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status.

From research-led study to project-based learning, our courses are designed to develop students who will take on the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Rankings

• 4th The Complete University Guide 2025
• 6th The Guardian University Guide 2025
• 6th The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see our department web pages.

Facilities

We are located on the main campus at Lower Mountjoy, close to other departments, colleges, the Bill Bryson library and the Teaching and Learning Centre.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This MEng program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to plan, design, and analyze engineering projects in the bioengineering field. It is designed to produce graduates who can lead and manage engineering teams in this rapidly evolving field. The program emphasizes multi-disciplinary learning and offers flexibility to tailor the curriculum to individual interests. Students will gain a solid foundation in engineering principles during their first two years, followed by specialization in bioengineering, renewable energies, or aeronautical engineering in their final year. The program is research-led and project-based, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and develop critical thinking skills. This culminates in a research and development dissertation project mentored by academic or industry experts, which provides students with an opportunity to contribute to the field and develop independent research skills.

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Outline:

• Mathematics and Engineering Science: Students solidify their mathematical knowledge and learn to apply it to engineering problems.

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Year 2:

• Engineering Mathematics and Thermodynamics: Students further develop their mathematical skills and gain a deeper understanding of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
• Mechanics and Structures: Students delve into solid mechanics, dynamics, and structural analysis.
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering: Students learn the basics of electrical and electronic circuits and computer interfacing.
• Engineering Design: Students apply their knowledge to real-world problems and develop design and project management skills.

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Year 3:

• Specialization in Bioengineering: Students focus on the application of engineering principles to biological systems and tissues, including biomechanics, artificial organs, and physiological fluid mechanics.
• Electrical Engineering and Control: Students study electric power conversion and control systems.

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Year 4:

• Advanced Bioengineering: Students explore advanced topics in biomechanics, non-linear solid mechanics, and artificial intelligence for healthcare applications.
• Research and Development Project: Students conduct independent research in collaboration with an academic or industry partner, culminating in a dissertation.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module.

• Exams: Typically used to assess theoretical knowledge and understanding.
• Coursework: Varies depending on the module and may involve projects, assignments, presentations, or laboratory reports.
• Practical Sessions: Offer direct experience through hands-on experimentation, design activities, and workshops.
• Individual Research Project: Provides personalized mentorship and guidance on independent research.

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Teaching Faculty:

• Experienced professors and researchers in bioengineering and related fields.
• Industry professionals contribute to guest lectures and projects.

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Unique Approaches:

• Research-led and project-based learning.
• Multi-disciplinary curriculum.
• Emphasis on independent research and critical thinking.
• Access to advanced facilities and laboratories.

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Careers:

Graduates are well-prepared for careers in various bioengineering fields, including:

• Research and development
• Medical device design
• Biomaterials development
• Tissue engineering
• Medical imaging and diagnostics
• Bioinformatics and computational biology
• Pharmaceutical engineering
They are also equipped with transferable skills valuable for various other engineering and science-based careers.

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Other:

• The program is accredited by the relevant professional institution.
• The program has outstanding graduate employability statistics, with 89% of graduates in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation.
• The program has strong industry connections and offers opportunities for placements and research collaborations.
• The program is offered on the beautiful Durham University campus, located in a historic city with a vibrant student life.

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Conclusion:

The MEng in Engineering (Bioengineering) at Durham University provides students with a comprehensive and flexible education in this exciting and rapidly growing field. The program combines rigorous academic study with practical application, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to advancements in bioengineering.

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The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved. The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government. The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).