Home

Medical Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MSc

London, Bloomsbury

How can we make best use of emerging technologies like AI in surgical environments, to perform more precise therapy and improve healthcare? Join us on this one-year Master's to learn about the latest research in this field and contribute to shaping technologies such as the use of AI for robot vision tasks, or using surgical robots for minimally invasive surgery.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£18,400
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£39,200
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 27 Mar 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or related fields from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Undergraduate standard knowledge in programming languages (such as Python or C++) is essential, demonstrated, e.g., by relevant courses or by an individual project they worked on during their UG. Undergraduate level knowledge of mathematics is also required, in algebra, analysis and probability. Applicants must show an interest in developing thinking and problem-solving skills.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

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.

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



If you’re interested in understanding more about the underlying concepts of medical robotics and AI in healthcare, this Master’s is an excellent option for you.

Explore topics such as surgical data acquisition. Develop an understanding of the devices used to capture surgical data (such as trackers, robots and imaging devices) – and explore the wider topic of medical device development.

The course also covers other key topics such as robot kinematics, motion planning, control and navigation, along with data processing and analysis using modern methods that rely on machine learning and AI.

Working in close collaboration with UCL’s renowned researchers, you’ll develop highly specialist expertise into how emerging technologies can be deployed in surgical environments and to improve healthcare.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for you if you have a background in Computer Science, Robotics, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field, and you're looking to deepen your knowledge and specialise in applying it to healthcare. 

It's particularly ideal for you, if you enjoy problem-solving or innovating and are interested in redefining what is possible in healthcare with the goal of improving patient lives through medical robotics and AI.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

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 is ranked 8th in the world for Medicine and 21st in the world for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject).
  • 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.
  • Learn directly from research staff in a close-knit community.
  • Get a detailed insight into the latest research taking place globally in this field, in areas like transformer and foundation models for computer vision, and soft robotics.
  • Build valuable analytical, research and communication skills.
  • Work on a 9-month-long dissertation structured around the application of medical robotics and AI to solve current problems in healthcare.
  • UCL’s Bloomsbury campus is in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates from our Department have obtained employment with a wide range of employers and sectors, such as financial technology, medtech industries, hospitals, clinical settings and academia.

Find out more on our Meet our Alumni page.

Employability

By the end of this Master’s, you’ll be well placed to progress in a career relating to the use of emerging technologies in healthcare, such as a Systems or Software Engineer in a healthcare company.

Your expertise will be highly relevant in both industry and public healthcare. You could go onto develop or evolve new technologies as part of a MedTech start-up or a global company.

The research project gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and develop career skills such as project management, public presentation and teamwork. 

This MSc is also an excellent starting point for further doctoral studies and a career in research, as you’ll be learning from world-leading UCL researchers at the forefront of healthcare innovations.

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your Master’s.  

  • 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 research groups, and across UCL departments, to develop your knowledge and skills.
  • Build your networks further, and socialise, through clubs and societies at UCL, such as the UCL MedTech Society.

Teaching and learning

Your time will be split between lectures, seminars, laboratory and workshop sessions, and independent or group project work.

You’ll be assessed through exams, coursework, group work, lab sessions and a research project. 

Each module typically consists of around 35-40 hours of lectures and problem-solving classes over a 10-week term.

On top of your timetabled hours, you’ll spend time outside of class reviewing the material and completing coursework. In total, you’ll need to spend approximately 35-40 hours a week on your studies as a full-time student. This equates to around 20 contact hours a week and approximately 15-20 hours of self-directed study.

Finally, you’ll need to spend a significant amount of your study time on your research project (on average, up to 8 hours a week for full-time students). Exactly how much time you spend on your research project will change from term to term – you’ll spend less time on it in Terms 1 and 2 and then work exclusively on it in Term 3 (the summer term after the exam period).

Modules

The taught part of the programme is comprised of mix of compulsory and optional modules. 

The first two academic terms consist of the taught modules, with your research project comprising a large part of the programme running from March to September. This is carried out under the supervision of an academic member of staff. 

Compulsory modules







Optional modules










Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Medical Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Q&A

—

Do you see yourself transforming the future of healthcare? A postgraduate degree in biomedical engineering and medical physics from UCL will see you advance your career in medical technology and development. Join our online Q&A session to discover our innovative programmes in AI, robotics, radiation therapy, and medical imaging! You’ll meet the programme team and bring your questions, hear about career prospects for our graduates, and what it’s like to be part of our fantastic UCL community.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £18,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £39,200

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

It is expected that you will provide your own laptop. For example, some modules require a modern laptop that can run basic Python and MATLAB computing environments with an internet connection, camera and microphone (e.g., 8GB RAM, 500 GB of hard-drive space) and can be expected to cost between £400-£700 (Information from June 2025).

In addition, some research projects may require a DBS check. This can cost you between £25 and £44. For the latest details, please check the government website.

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Medical Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at graduate level
  • Why you want to study Medical Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at UCL and what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Successful applicants should show an interest in developing thinking and problem-solving skills.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (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: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering

medphys.teaching@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.