Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Biomedical Engineering (MSc)
Award: Master of Science
Typical Offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
Course Type: Full-time
Campus: Highfield
Next course starts: September 2025
About this course
Combine biology and medicine with engineering on our MSc Biomedical Engineering degree. Study human biology in your chosen specialist area and learn the skills to develop new engineering solutions. Prepare to take on a leading role in helping healthcare practitioners and providers to improve and maintain people's health.
This UK master’s degree is ideal if you're an engineering, mathematics or physical science graduate who wants to specialise in Biomedical Engineering or support your continued professional development.
Biomedical engineers work in the fields of engineering, biology and medicine to solve medical and healthcare challenges facing society. This work helps to create medical procedures, imaging systems, and devices for observing and controlling body functions.
A range of optional modules are available, from materials engineering to biological-inspired robotics. We also offer 5 pathways for those who wish to specialise:
- musculoskeletal
- cardiovascular
- imaging
- diagnostic systems
- audiology
You'll study with teams of physicians, scientists, engineers, business people and other professionals. In this environment you’ll learn to monitor, restore and enhance normal body function, abilities and outcomes. You’ll also develop and evaluate products such as artificial organs, prostheses and instruments.
Throughout your studies you’ll improve your understanding of the ethical, safety and societal implications of developing medical technologies.
This course draws on expertise from leading departments within the University of Southampton, brought together through the:
- Institute for Life Sciences
- Engineering and the Environment
- Medicine
- Health Sciences
- Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Electronics and Computer Science
Course lead
Dr Richard Cook is the course lead.
Accreditations
This master's programme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning, for Chartered Engineer registration. Candidates must hold a BEng/BSc undergraduate first degree that is accredited for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in one of the following subjects:
- biomedical engineering
- mechanical engineering
- physics
- maths
- bioengineering
- aerospace engineering
- automotive engineering
- engineering materials
- mechatronics
- electrical engineering
- electronics engineering
You'll also need a 2:1 in at least one advanced mathematics module.
We will also consider applicants with undergraduate degrees in audiology.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
- overall score: 6.5
- reading: 6.0
- writing: 6.0
- speaking: 6.0
- listening: 6.0
If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Course structure
On this biomedical engineering master’s you’ll study compulsory modules across two 12-week semesters. At the end of each semester you'll take exams.
You’ll also choose from optional modules in both semesters, allowing you to focus on your preferred specialism.
The final 4 months of the course are spent full time on your research project where you’ll combine engineering skills with an understanding of the complexity of biological systems. Example research projects include:
- the design and performance evaluation of new devices to replace joints
- the development of new imaging methods to study bone or lung diseases
Your research project must contain your own ideas and proposals. It should represent a problem with a new element that requires the application of new information and concepts.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
- Human Biology & Systems Physiology
- Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
- MSc Research Project
- Translational Medicine
You must also choose from the following modules:
- Active Control of Sound and Vibration
- Advanced Computational Methods I
- Advanced Electrical Systems
- Advanced Finite Element Analysis
- Advanced Sensors and Condition Monitoring
- Biological Materials and Biomedical Devices
- Biomaterials
- Biomedical Application of Signal and Image Processing
- Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging
- Computational methods in biomedical engineering design
- Control and Instrumentation
- Design Search and Optimisation (DSO) - Principles, Methods, Parameterizations and Case Studies
- Failure of Materials and Components
- Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics
- Fundamentals of Auditory Implants
- Heat Transfer and Applications
- Human Factors in Engineering
- Human Responses to Sound and Vibration
- Image Processing
- Manufacturing and Materials
- Medical Electrical and Electronic Technologies
- Numerical Methods
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics
- Physiology and Psychology of Hearing
- Rehabilitation of Auditory Disorders
- Robotic Systems
Learning and assessment
To help you succeed as biomedical engineer, the course features:
- ‘problem-driven’ seminars
- site and hospital visits
- workshops and training sessions by experts from industry and national laboratories
You'll need to contribute your own professional experiences and thoughts to the learning of the whole class through a free exchange of ideas. You’ll gain an understanding of the limitations of current knowledge and the changing nature of technologies and society.
Your research project is intended to bring together the full range of skills in the course. while demonstrating in-depth knowledge and understanding of Biomedical Engineering. To prepare for it, we’ll teach you how to:
- gather and handle information
- critically analyse and evaluate evidence
- present your findings
We’ll assess you through:
- your research project
- coursework, laboratory reports and essays
- a dissertation
- essays
- group essays
- individual and group projects
- written exams
Careers and employability
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Commercial awareness
- Self-management
- Confidence
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- EDI leadership
- Adaptability
- Problem solving
- Resilience
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
- Information and Communication
- Education
- Public Administration and Defence
- Scientific and Technical
- Manufacturing
Careers directly related to this course:
- Prosthetic device engineer
- Biomedical engineer
- Rehabilitation engineer
- Biomechanical engineer
- Biomaterials engineer
- Physiological modeller
- Research scientist
Wider career opportunities:
- University lecturer
- Management consultant
- Data analyst
- Financial analyst
- Science teacher
- Project manager
Fees, costs and funding
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £31,500.
Check fees for other versions of this course.
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
- accommodation costs
- living costs
- budgeting advice
- fees, charges and expenses regulations
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
- Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
- Submit your application.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
UK students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
International students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
References are not required for this programme.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]
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Entry Requirements:
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in: biomedical engineering mechanical engineering physics maths audiology bioengineering aerospace engineering automotive engineering engineering materials mechatronicselectrical engineeringelectronics engineering You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum: IELTS score requirements overall score 5 reading 0 writing 0 speaking 0 listening 0 We accept other English language tests.