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Biomedical Engineering with a Year Abroad

Course details
  • BEng (Hon)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with time abroad
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Bay Campus

Course summary

Biomedical Engineering applies engineering principles to the human body, in pursuit of an advanced and personalised style of future healthcare. Combining engineering with the instrumentation used in modern medicine promises to generate important new technologies which touch, and extend, all our lifetimes.

Our degree prepares you for a rewarding career across a range of sectors, working to design and innovate the medical technologies of tomorrow. You will gain core engineering skills while learning about anatomy, physiology and communication with clinicians. As you progress, your developing analytical and problem-solving abilities will combine with hands-on experience of industrial medical devices and instruments, establishing skills that are vital to employment in the wider industry.

The programme is studied as a 3-year Bachelors of Engineering (BEng), or a 4-year Integrated Master of Engineering (MEng) which meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Both our BEng and MEng courses include options to study with a Year Abroad, a Year in Industry and a Foundation Year.

Your Biomedical Engineering Experience

Our Biomedical Engineering degrees cover three main themes; Biomechanics and Matertials will explore the development and analysis of materials for strength and biocompatibility; Instrumentation will cover the quantification of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques; and Bioprocess, which details the important physical, chemical and biological process within the human body.

Throughout your studies you will benefit from our state-of-the-art facilities, including electrical engineering instruments to build and test medical devices, and biomechanical modelling units to optimise implant technologies.

You will study alongside our thriving research community, such as the Biomedical Engineering Simulation & Testing (BEST) Lab, a fantastic space for interdisciplinary researchers to grow ideas from concept through to manufacture, instrumentation, and testing.

This programme is available as a 3-year BEng programme, or as a 4-year MEng, which is an advanced undergraduate degree, adding a further year to your degree. Our MEng leads to a master’s level qualification, in addition to your undergraduate degree, giving you expert scientific training and a springboard towards a range of specialist careers.

As part of your studies you will have the opportunity to undertake a Year Abroad, spent in locations such as the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong, or Singapore, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

You are also offered the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BEng.

Modules

Year 1
Areas studied typically include:

  • Chemical Engineering Science
  • Circuit Analysis
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Human Anatomy for Medical Engineers
  • Human Physiology
  • Strength of Materials

Year 2
Areas studied typically include:

  • Cell Biology and Cell Mechanics for Engineers
  • Fluid Flow
  • Heat Transfer
  • Instrumental and Analytical Chemistry
  • Selected Medical Diagnostic Techniques
  • Statistical Methods in Engineering

In Year 3, you undertake a Study Abroad Placement.

Year 4
Areas studied typically include:

  • Biomedical Flows in Physiology and Medical Devices
  • Computer Aided Product Design
  • Implant and Prosthetic Technologies
  • Tissue Engineering

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Physics and Engineering in Medicine, Institute of
  • Mechanical Engineers, Institution of

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
HB01
Institution code:
S93
Campus name:
Bay Campus
Campus Code:
B

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If you are an International Student, please visit our International pages for more information about entry requirements:- http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/students/requirements/

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

A level - ABB - BCC

Including Mathematics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D*D - D*D*D*

To include B at A Level Mathematics. Must be in relevant subject. If student is not taking A Level Mathematics, they must achieve a minimum D in ‘Mathematics for Technicians’ and D in ‘Further Mathematics for Technicians’ modules of the BTEC. Students are also required to have minimum two A grades at GCSE, to include a minimum grade B in Mathematics and two other Science subjects.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on an individual basis.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

To include 5 at Higher Level or 6 at Standard Level Mathematics or, if following the new Maths Curriculum, 5 at HL (or 6 at SL) “Mathematics: analysis and approaches”, or 5 at HL (or 7 at SL) “Mathematics: applications and interpretation”. Plus 4 at Higher Level or 5 at Standard Level English Language.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Swansea University accepts the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales as fully equivalent to x1 A-Level.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Accepted in lieu of one non-subject specific grade at A Level.

Extended Project

We recognise the EPQ as an excellent indicator of success. If you are predicted a Grade B or above in the EPQ, you will receive an offer with a one grade reduction, to include your EPQ with a grade B.

GCSEs: Mathematics C, English Language C.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.

English Language Requirements at Swansea University https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

UK applicants who meet course requirements are guaranteed a conditional offer. We assess applications on individual merit. We consider making reduced offers, eg. to Care Leavers or students with extenuating circumstances. We encourage you to disclose any relevant circumstances.

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is considered as equivalent to one full A-Level and students can take x2 A-levels alongside this. EPQ students predicted Grade B or above will receive a one-grade offer reduction.

Learn more on the Swansea University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For the latest fee information, please check the individual course page on our website. Our full range of programmes are listed here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/

Further information on tuition fees can be found here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/

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