Medical Physics and Bioengineering MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

Physicists and Biomedical Engineers are transforming healthcare, opening new realms of possibilities in radiotherapy, imaging technologies and many other vital medical fields. Join our community as a multidisciplinary doctoral researcher, and make your contribution alongside leading academic experts and clinicians.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£6,215
£3,105
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
£16,500
Duration
3 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
October 2025
February 2026
May 2026
Applications accepted
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but should be submitted at least three months prior to your preferred start date.

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or another closely related discipline, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Knowledge and expertise gained in the workplace may also be considered, where appropriate.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2
Overall score of 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 in each component.

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance. This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


Establish your expertise and pioneer life-saving new technologies, as a member of the UCL Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering.

Your work will bridge the gap between physics, engineering, clinical sciences and computing, harnessing the latest research from the Department’s 15 different research groups to tackle real-world medical issues.

You’ll progress towards becoming an expert in your chosen field, guided and mentored by a supervisor chosen from over 100 clinical and non-clinical scientists across UCL.

You’ll also get opportunities to work closely with the NHS, through the department’s partnership with the UCLH NHS Trust, assisting health professionals to find important uses for new technologies.

As a UCL doctoral candidate, you’ll help to shape a supportive, collaborative and inclusive research culture – one where talent and hard work are properly rewarded and the research community is celebrated, in line with the aims of our 10-year Research Culture Roadmap.

Who this course is for

As a multi-disciplinary subject at the interface of physics, engineering, life sciences and computer science, our postgraduate students have a diverse range of options upon graduation. Many choose to continue in academia through the subsequent award of a PhD studentship or a postdoctoral research post.

This programme is ideal if you are interested in a life-long career in academia or a research organisation.

What this course will give you

This degree offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • Develop your skills alongside renowned academics across UCL’s Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering. UCL Ranks 9th globally (QS World University Rankings 2025).
  • Explore and develop specialisms in radiation physics, implanted devices, medical imaging, and laser and endoscopic surgery.
  • Enjoy extensive access to world-class facilities, fully equipped for radiotherapy, proton therapy, nuclear magnetic resonance, optics, acoustics, x-ray imaging, electrical implant development and robotic surgery interventions.
  • Join research groups and learn from experienced research staff in a close-knit community, with regular opportunities for networking and professional development.
  • Get a detailed insight into the latest research taking place globally in this field, in areas like x-ray imaging, implanted devices and ultrasound.
  • Be part of a world-leading hub for interdisciplinary research and collaborations between computer scientists, physicists, mechanical engineers, biomedical scientists and medical practitioners across UCL and its affiliated teaching hospitals.
  • Study in the world's best city for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2024). UCL’s Bloomsbury campus is in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.

The foundation of your career

This PhD will secure your research career and open the door to postdoctoral opportunities, as you absorb perspectives and research methologies from world-leading UCL researchers at the forefront of healthcare innovations.

With this doctoral degree, you’ll also be well positioned to pursue diverse careers and opportunities in industry. You’ll be a vital asset, ready to play an instrumental part in developing emerging technologies as part of a med-tech startup or within multinational medical device companies.

Our graduates have gone onto work with a wide range of employers in hospitals around the world, major industry companies such as Elekta, Siemens, Nikon and prestigious university research departments.

The PhD is a great reward and the crown on my career in proton therapy. It opens more doors than ever before and was the right decision at that stage of my career.

Headshot of alumni student Niek Schreuder

Dr Niek Schreuder

Research Degree: Medical Physics and Bioengineering

Employability

This PhD programme offers a unique opportunity to master vital skills and increase the sum of knowledge available to a world-leading research department that works in partnership with Medical Physics in the UCLH NHS Trust. 

As part of this diverse and influential group of world-leading academics and health professionals, you’ll get the chance to make your mark and showcase your original research through publication and optional international conferences. You’ll also build robust project management, communication and teamwork skills that will make you an asset to any organisation.

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your MPhil / PhD.  

  • Benefit from our national and international collaborations across the clinical, industrial and academic sectors. We have close links with many London hospitals, including University College London Hospital, Great Ormond St Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Royal Free Hospital, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital, and Whittington Hospital. We also work with organisations like the National Physical Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Medicine, and Institute of Neurology. A wide range of MedTech companies have spun out of departmental research.
  • Work within different research groups, and across UCL departments, to develop your knowledge and skills.
  • Benefit from supervision and mentorship from scientists, health professionals and engineers with a wealth of collaborative experience – both nationally and internationally - across clinical, industrial and academic sectors.
  • Network with external partners and present your research findings at international conferences, private industry events and clinical centres to potential employers.
  • Build your networks further (and socialise) through clubs and societies at UCL, such as the UCL MedTech Society.

Teaching and learning

The way you spend your time on the programme will change as your PhD progresses. At the start of an experimental, lab-based project, you can expect to spend most of your time working with your supervisor or with other researchers.

As your knowledge and skills grow, you may find yourself working more independently – reading, writing and engaging with more self-directed activities.

It’s customary to meet with your supervisor on a weekly basis throughout the programme.

At the end of your PhD, you’ll complete a dissertation of up to 100,000 words (or up to 60,000 words for an MPhil).

In total, you’ll need to spend approximately 35-40 hours a week on your studies as a full-time student.


If you’re studying part time or on flexi-time, you can calculate this study commitment on a pro-rata basis.

Research areas and structure

UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering is a global leader in research and education. We foster close collaborations with clinicians, practitioners and scientists in major teaching hospitals, which enables our researchers to be at the forefront of healthcare engineering and for our research students to learn about the latest innovations from leading experts in the field. Research in our Department falls primarily into the following domain areas:

  • Biomedical optics
  • Biomedical Ultrasound
  • Computing, digital image processing
  • Continence and skin technology
  • Functional electrical stimulation
  • Implanted devices
  • Laser and endoscopic surgery
  • Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
  • Medical imaging including 3D graphics
  • Neurophysiology including electrical impedance tomography
  • Physiological sensing
  • Radiation physics

Visit UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering’s research website for more.

Research environment

UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering is one of the largest departments in the UK and has an outstanding reputation in research. Our doctoral students often work closely with clinical colleagues at the UCLH NHS Trust to develop new technologies for diagnosing and treating medical conditions and a PhD in this field offers the opportunity to conduct original research and receive high-quality supervision. 

The programme also provides access to a supportive research community and funding for conferences and research activities.

The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rated UCL Engineering as producing 97% "world-leading"(4*) or "internationally excellent" (3*) research. UCL was also ranked 2nd in the UK for research power.

Studying full time, your research degree programme will take 3-4 years. If you choose to study part time, you’ll have up to five years to complete your PhD.

You’ll initially register for the MPhil degree. Within the first 3 months, you’ll work with your supervisor to agree the basic structure of your research project, your research methodology and a realistic plan of work. You’ll then submit a detailed outline of your research proposal to both of your supervisors.

At the end of the first year, you’ll present your research to staff and fellow PhD students at the UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering PhD workshop.

In the second year (9-18 months after initial registration), you’ll upgrade from the MPhil programme to the PhD programme, after successfully completing your upgrade viva and registering as a completing research student (CRS).

If you choose to study part time, you’ll have up to 5 years to complete your PhD.

You’ll initially register for the MPhil degree. Within the first 3 months, you’ll work with your supervisor to agree the basic structure of your research project, your research methodology and a realistic plan of work. You’ll then submit a detailed outline of your research proposal to both of your supervisors.

At the end of the first year, you’ll present your research to staff and fellow PhD students at the UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering PhD workshop.

In the second year (9-18 months after initial registration), you’ll upgrade from the MPhil programme to the PhD programme, after successfully completing your upgrade viva and registering as a completing research student (CRS).

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.


Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £6,215 £3,105
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000 £16,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs associated with this programme.

Students may be required to pay some additional costs associated with optional research conferences, which will vary greatly depending on the location and length of the conference. Please note that there is funding available for students in the department, which may partly or fully meet research conference costs.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Next steps

Deadlines and start dates are usually dictated by funding arrangements so check with the department or academic unit to see if you need to consider these in your application preparation. In all cases the applicant should identify and contact potential supervisors with a brief research proposal before making your application. For more information see our How to Apply page.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

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