Biomedical Engineering (MEng)

Biomedical engineers design, develop and deliver technologies that improve health and wellbeing. This 4-year MEng degree lets you study biomedical engineering to master’s level. You can tailor your degree to your interests by choosing a specialist pathway.

As health spending increases across the world, engineers and computer scientists play a vital role in creating new healthcare solutions and treatments. Biomedical engineers help bridge the gap between technology and patient care.

During your first 2 years you’ll learn the core principles of electronics, computer science and life sciences. You’ll apply this knowledge to design and develop responsible healthcare technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment and patient care.

On this 4-year biomedical engineering master's course you’ll:

• design hardware and software systems that help monitor and control biological and physiological functions
• use simulation, design, and verification tools to design systems and to report on results
• work in our modern laboratories and facilities, equipped with industry-standard technology
• understand the clinical, safety and ethical issues in biomedical engineering, and how ideas can be taken to market
• complete both an individual project and a group design project that meet the needs of an industrial customer

As you progress, you’ll learn how to apply quality systems and management practices in engineering. You'll explore the requirements and responsibilities of leadership, business, ethics and management practices that are relevant to biomedical engineering organisations. 

From your second year you will tailor your degree to your career ambitions by choosing one of the following pathways:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Southampton is a global centre for AI research, and this pathway allows you to learn from leading expertise in the field. You will learn to design and build intelligent algorithms that can analyse medical data, automate diagnostics, and work effectively with biomedical hardware. If you want to work in the growing MedTech software and data science sectors, this pathway is ideal.

Digital Health

We have one of the UK’s dedicated Digital Health research groups to teach you how to build the next generation of e-health and mobile health solutions. You will develop data science skills to turn the exponential growth of patient data into useful insights that can improve the quality of life. If you want to work on the digital transformation of healthcare records and the opportunities this creates across global health-tech industries, this pathway is ideal.

Electronic Systems

This pathway focuses on the physical electronic systems that make modern medicine possible. You will learn how to design and test circuits that directly interact with the human body, such as implantable and wearable sensors as well as high-resolution imaging systems. If you want hands-on design and innovation, and you’re interested in biosensors, diagnosis systems and rehabilitation technology, this pathway is ideal.

Mechatronics for Health

This pathway brings together mechanical, electrical, and control systems to create intelligent machines. You will learn the core science behind medical robotics and assistive technologies that help restore patient mobility and independence. If you’re interested in robotic surgery and advanced prosthetic engineering, this pathway is suited to you. Career opportunities include roles in robotics research, surgical systems engineering, remote surgery and rehabilitation technology development.

The MEng Biomedical Engineering degree is also available with an industrial placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience as part of your studies.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.