Biomedical Engineering with a Foundation Year

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.

Below is a sample of some of the modules that you might expect to study during the Foundation year of the BEng Medical Engineering with a Foundation Year degree (it should be noted that these do vary from year to year):

• Development of Key Skills for Engineers
• Fundamentals of Materials
• Basic Engineering Analysis
• Foundation Chemistry
• Engineering Science
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Mechanics
• Thermofluid Mechanics
• Basic Engineering Analysis