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Biomedical Engineering (MSc) (2023 entry)

Explore our Biomedical Engineering taught Master's degree.

The MSc in Biomedical Engineering delivers state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of Biomedical Engineering at postgraduate level. At Warwick's School of Engineering you will develop expertise across a range of topics.

This course is accredited by the IET, and IMechE and InstMC. More information is available on the School of Engineering websiteLink opens in a new window.


Course overview

Warwick School of Engineering has a unique systems approach to biomedical research and teaching. Our MSc Biomedical Engineering delivers advanced modules developed across disciplines incorporating biomedical signal processing, medical imaging, predictive modelling, medical device design, electronics, communication, software, hardware, systems thinking and machine intelligence.

In addition, you will be assigned an in-depth individual project, which will allow you to work closely with an academic on state-of-the-art biomedical engineering research and innovation, often linked with industry, and with cutting-edge areas of application across the biomedical field.

The course prepares students for careers in advanced biomedical engineering. This includes biomedical engineering research institutions, medical device manufacturers, medical device regulators, and clearly hospitals, where biomedical engineers oversee medical device clinical trials, purchasing and maintenance as responsible for clinical engineering services.


General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

A minimum 2:i undergraduate UK honours degree or equivalent international qualification, in an engineering, physical sciences or mathematical subject.

You can see how your current degree score or GPA equates to the British system in our Study pages in the equivalent scores table.

We are willing to consider applications from students with lower qualifications on a case-by-case basis, particularly when the applicant can evidence relevant employment, practical experience or strong performance in undergraduate modules related to their proposed postgraduate course of study.

To ensure you have the essential foundations for the course, and depending on your overall academic profile, we may require you to take a mathematical skills test.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band A
  • IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

Additional requirements

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Core modules

Biomedical Imaging and Medical Devices

This module will introduce you to the fundamental principles and applications of medical imaging in the human body, and to imaging and sensing in the brain. Techniques include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Electroencephalography (EEG), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), and Ultrasound. The module will provide you with a firm grounding in the basic theory underpinning the core methods in clinical practice, as well as an awareness of emerging technologies and their applications.

Medical Device: Design, Maintenance and Assessment

On this module you will develop a firm understanding of the principles of modern design, maintenance and assessment of healthcare technologies, including: medical devices, novel treatment and therapeutic technologies, technologies for a healthy life-course, systems and environments for care delivery. This module will provide you with a firm grounding in methods and tools for design, management and assessment of health technologies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

Biomedical Systems Modelling

This module gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you have independently contributed primary data and/or a new analysis of secondary data, within your chosen advanced research topic. Projects will be highly variable in nature to reflect the range of topics within the programmes of study but all will provide you with an opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes. Thus, projects may entail experimentation, modelling, analysis and literary survey skills to develop advanced skills in the discovery and occasionally creation of new knowledge. The module also offers the chance for you to pursue curiosity driven work guided by an academic supervisor.

Research and Professional Skills in Biomedical and Clinical Engineering

This is an introduction to Biomedical Engineering for MSc students on this course. This module is held at the beginning of the term one and aims to quickly give you an overview of the biomedical various topics to help you choose an appropriate MSc project. The module will also equip you with the required background knowledge and skills for the MSc course.

Individual Project

This module gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you have independently contributed primary data and/or a new analysis of secondary data, within your chosen advanced research topic.

Projects will be highly variable in nature to reflect the range of topics within the programmes of study but all will provide you with an opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes. Thus, projects may entail experimentation, modelling, analysis and literary survey skills to develop advanced skills in the discovery and occasionally creation of new knowledge. The module also offers the chance for you to pursue curiosity driven work guided by an academic supervisor.


Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

  • Biomechanics
  • Biomedical Signal Processing
  • Systems Modelling and Control
  • Affective Computing
  • Signal Processing
  • Computational Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
  • Computational Synthetic and Systems Biology

Teaching

The degree comprises eight taught modules and a project. The individual project entails an in-depth experimental, theoretical or computational investigation on a topic chosen by the student in conjunction with an academic supervisor.


Class sizes

Class sizes for lectures, practical laboratory sessions and seminars vary depending on the number of students taking the module.


Typical contact hours

The MSc degree (totalling 180 credits) comprises:

  • Eight taught modules (15 credits each)
  • A research project (60 credits)

The typical workload for a 15-credit module is as follows:

  • 20-30 hours of lectures/seminars
  • 5 hours of laboratory work
  • 45 hours of private/directed study
  • 70 hours of assessed work

The research project is valued at 60 credits and students should plan to execute around 600 hours of work towards the completion of the project dissertation.


Assessment

A combination of coursework and written examinations.


Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including:

  • AECOM
  • BAE Systems
  • BT
  • Morgan Sindall
  • Mott MacDonald
  • Proto Labs
  • TSP Projects
  • Volvo Cars Corporation
  • They have pursued roles such as:
  • Business, research and administrative professionals
  • Civil engineers
  • Design and development engineers
  • Mechanical engineers
  • Quality control and planning engineers

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Options in Engineering
  • Meet an Engineer
  • Engineering, Science and Technology Fair
  • Considering a PhD in the STEM Subjects
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees  Research course fees


Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

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Admissions statement

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Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.

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Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

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