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MSc Biomedical Engineering

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 programme is a joint programme with the University of Edinburgh which offers you the opportunity to develop key Biomedical Engineering knowledge and skills required for your professional development. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the core engineering and science underpinning the Biomedical Engineering and Manufacturing sector.

During the master’s programme, you’ll gain a broad knowledge of the core components in Biomedical Engineering Sciences and practices, whilst developing an extensive, detailed, and critical knowledge and understanding of at least one specialist area within the subject. The flexible degree structure allows you to focus in on your specific interests within Biomedical Engineering. You’ll have the opportunity to choose courses from an extensive list, including  Engineering-Biology Interface, Manufacturing, Biomaterials, Introduction to Bioelectronics, Sensors and Instrumentation, Lab-on-Chip Technologies, Technologies for Biosystems, Regulation of the Safe and Sustainable Development of Substances, and Technology Entrepreneurship.

The career-focused master’s programme will develop your technical, scientific, and managerial abilities, and provide you with a specialist education to set you up to become a professional Biomedical Engineer. Upon completion, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to prepare you for a wide range of technical and managerial careers across the sector, including roles in specialist consultancy, and advanced research and development. 

Your student experience

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active biomedical engineers and academics in Heriot-Watt University and 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 through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh. 

Our Biomedical Engineering is directly informed by the world-class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies which focuses on promoting excellence across four research themes such as: 

  • Biomedical Engineering 
  • Digital Engineering 

The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focussed. 

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

Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for further information.

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

/ intake tuition fees
StatusFull 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.

View details

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.

View details

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.

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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