Key information
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
The MSc Biomedical Engineering will build on your engineering and physical science knowledge to build a unique competence in the fields of applied biomedical engineering. The masters programme is taught through a collaboration between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, offering you a bespoke learning experience at the forefront of the discipline, and the opportunity to expand both your knowledge and your networks.
You will explore multiple disciplines and take advantage of the academic expertise in biological and clinical sciences, and engineering to emerge a true multidisciplinary graduate. The programme will introduce you to engineering technologies and applications within the biomedical industry and provide you with knowledge of medical technologies and their application, with a focus on integrated medical devices, design and manufacture skills, and an understanding and practice of key concepts in biosensing and biofabrication. You’ll have the opportunity to follow one of two themes and specialise in either bioelectronics, or biomedical manufacturing.
You will complete various individual and group research and design projects to develop your subject specific and transferable skills. Upon completion of the Master of Science degree, you will have the necessary knowledge and expertise to enter a wide range of careers in the medical technologies and biomedical industries. Careers available to you will include mechanical engineer, technical lead, technical salesforce, government, charity or policy advisor, medical physicist, and roles in research and design.
Your student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of the research-active biologists, engineers and physicists in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University and the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.
The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences is renowned for its world-class research into the areas of biomedical engineering, with expertise in manufacturing evidenced by the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC), the National Robotarium, and the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in Photonics.
In a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh, 96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research.
Our joint MSc Biomedical Engineering is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Global Research Institute in Health and Care Engineering, and several other research institutes including the Institute of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3) and the Institute for Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE) which focuses on promoting excellence in themes such as
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Biomedical Engineering
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Digital Engineering
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Energy Harvesting and Conversion
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Multiphase Flow
The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory September
- The Engineering-Biology Interface
- Manufacture in Bioengineering
Mandatory AY
- Multidisciplinary Biomedical Engineering Group Design Project
Mandatory January
- Technology Entrepreneurship 5
- Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
Optional September
- Introduction to Bioelectronics
- Technologies for Biosystems
Optional January
- Sensors and Instrumentation
- Lab-on-Chip Technologies
- Regulation of the Safe and Sustainable Development of Substances
- Biomaterials
Mandatory May
- Masters Dissertation
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time |
|---|---|
| UK | £15,200 |
| International | £37,300 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
DHI Masters Scholarship in Digital Health and Social Care
The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) is providing funding for one full tuition-fee scholarship for a Scottish-domiciled student on our MSc in Biomedical Engineering program.
Alumni Discount 10% - MSc Biomedical Engineering
Please note the MSc Biomedical Engineering is exempt from our usual alumni discount. Instead, all Heriot-Watt and University of Edinburgh Alumni applying for this MSc will receive a 10% discount as part of your offer.
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
For MSc entry, a good relevant Honours degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent overseas qualifications will be considered. Areas such as Engineering, Physics and Biotechnology (or similar) will be core disciplines. Given the clear practical element of the programmes, we will also consider non-graduate candidates holding less than a good Honours degree, or its equivalent, but with compensating qualifications or experience may be admitted.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
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