Program Overview

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Biomedical Engineering (MEng)

Award

Master of Engineering

Typical Offer

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and either biology, chemistry or physics (minimum grade A)

Duration

4 years

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Highfield

UCAS Course code

BB97

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About this course

Biomedical engineers design, develop and deliver the health and wellbeing devices of the future. On this 4-year programme you’ll study key aspects of biomedicine, electronics and computer science. You’ll have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your liking by choosing a specialist pathway.

With all economies facing an increase in health spending, engineers and computer scientists have an ever-increasing role to play in inventing solutions for healthcare and treatment. Biomedical engineers work to bridge this gap.

You’ll explore topics like:

• the creation of diagnostic systems and devices for observing and controlling body functions
• the design and creation of electronic circuits, systems, and computer software
• the use of simulation, design, and verification tools to aid in the creation of systems, and how to report and comment on results
• the specific clinical, safety and ethical implications of biomedical engineering work and routes to commercialization of devices.

You’ll make use of our diverse range of modern laboratories and facilities, each filled with industry-standard equipment.

As you progress, you’ll learn to exercise awareness of quality systems and management in engineering. This includes the requirements and responsibilities of leadership, business and management practices relevant to biomedical electronic engineering enterprises.

You can tailor your degree to your liking by picking a pathway. These include:

Electronic Systems

You’ll learn to develop engineering solutions to health and healthcare problems, ranging from rehabilitation technologies and implantable sensors to smart signal analysis for wearable healthcare, and rapid testing and diagnostic devices.

You will gain key insight into how to design and develop a wide range of systems, from underlying sensor technology to signal analysis and data interpretation.

Mechatronics for Health

You’ll learn the fundamental science, methods, analysis, and engineering applications to start a career in mechatronic engineering with a focus on medical technology and robotics.

You’ll have the opportunity to design and build intelligent machines and robots as part of your study, which integrate electrical, mechanical and control systems to perform complex tasks.

Digital Health

You'll learn to develop m-health and e-health solutions based on healthcare needs and available technology. You will gain key data science skills that allow you to analyse data, build solutions and communicate results.

As one of the few universities in the UK (United Kingdom) to have a Digital Health research group, you will be taught by academics actively involved in technologies in this area.

Artificial Intelligence

You’ll additionally learn to design and build AI (Artificial Intelligence) programs and systems to solve global healthcare challenges and integrate with Biomedical engineering solutions.

As a highly respected hub for AI research, you'll benefit from a range of specialist modules that few UK universities can match. You’ll also be taught by academics actively involved in the latest advances in AI.

The MEng programme is also available with an industrial placement year.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Entry requirements

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and either biology, chemistry or physics (minimum grade A)

A-levels additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics and either biology, chemistry or physics, plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall with 19 points required at Higher Level including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), and 6 at Higher Level in Physics, Chemistry or Biology

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics and either biology, chemistry or physics.

or

D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics and either biology, chemistry or physics.

We will consider the BTEC National Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and either biology, chemistry or physics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

Other requirements

• UK students
• International students
• Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

Course structure

This is a four-year, full-time course. The topics you explore will vary depending on which pathway you choose.

In the early stages you'll take core and compulsory modules in electronics and programming together with a thorough grounding in mathematics. You will also take modules covering the fundamentals of life science.

As the programme progresses, you’ll undertake an individual project and finally a group design project.

Year 1 overview

You'll be introduced to the fundamentals of biomedical engineering and your chosen pathway. You’ll cover topics like programming, digital systems and microprocessors, maths, electronic systems and sensors, biomedical engineering design and key elements of life science.

Year 2 overview

You'll continue to build upon your knowledge of key topics, with further modules in electronics, programming and fundamentals of cell biology and physiology.

You’ll also apply your knowledge to design a health and wellness monitoring platform within a healthcare technology design project.

Year 3 overview

You’ll undertake an individual project. You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules.

Year 4 overview

You'll work on a group design project. This is compulsory, taken over the full academic year and may include students from other engineering disciplines.

You’ll also have the freedom to tailor the degree to your liking by choosing from a wide variety of optional modules.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

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
• Leadership
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Networking
• 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.

Career pathways

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
• Medical technology developer
• Biotechnologist
• Nanotechnologist

Wider career opportunities:

• University lecturer
• Management consultant
• Data analyst
• Financial analyst
• Science teacher
• Project manager
• Manufacturing engineer

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £29,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

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

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.