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This programme pathway is designed for students with an interest in the engineering aspects of technology that are applied in modern medicine. Students gain an understanding of the biomedical engineering principles and practices used in hospitals, industries and research laboratories through lectures, problem-solving sessions, a research project and collaborative work.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper-second class UK Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or other closely related discipline. Workplace knowledge and expertise are also considered. Applicants with a lower than upper-second class degree may be invited for a short online interview with programme tutors as part of their application process.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
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. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
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.
Select your country:
About this degree
Students study in detail the engineering and physics principles that underpin modern medicine, and learn to apply their knowledge to established and emerging technologies in medical imaging and patient monitoring. The programme covers the engineering applications across the diagnosis and measurement of the human body and its physiology, as well as the electronic and computational skills needed to apply this theory in practice.
Students complete 180 credits (120 taught course credits and 60 credit research project) for the MSc, or 120 credits (120 taught course credits) for the Postgraduate Diploma.
After applying to the MSc programme, students choose one of three specialised streams: Radiation Physics (RP)*, Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging (BEMI) or Medical Image Computing (MIC).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) is offered.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Physics and Engineering in Medicine. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Physics and Engineering in Medicine. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Physics and Engineering in Medicine.
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 is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
Students can choose one of three specialised streams:
- Radiation Physics*
- Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging
- Medical Image Computing
*Accredited by he UK Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM).
The following modules are compulsory for all three streams, with a few variations as specified below.
- Biomedical Ultrasound
- Clinical Practice
- Medical Device Enterprise Scenario
- Medical Imaging with Ionising Radiation
- MRI and Biomedical Optics
- MSc Research Project
- -- Compulsory only for Radiation Physics stream:
- Ionising Radiation Physics: Interactions and Dosimetry
- Radiotherapy Physics
- -- Compulsory only for Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging stream:
- Medical Electronics and Control
- -- Compulsory only for Medical Image Computing stream:
- Programming Foundations for Medical Image Analysis
Optional modules
Radiation Physics stream:
Students can choose one optional module from the specified list below. To be eligible for accreditation, this additional module must be Computing in Medicine.
Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging stream:
Students choose two optional modules from the specified list below.
Medical Image Computing stream:
Students choose two optional modules from the specified list below.
- -- Radiation Physics stream / Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging streams:
- Computing in Medicine
- Programming Foundations for Medical Image Analysis
- Applications of Biomedical Engineering
- Materials and Engineering for Orthopaedic Devices
- Research Software Engineering with Python
- Computer assisted surgery and therapy
- -- Medical Image Computing stream:
- Medical Electronics and Control
- Information Processing in Medical Imaging
- Research Software Engineering with Python
- Computer assisted surgery and therapy
- Computational Modelling for Biomedical Imaging
- Computational MRI
- Image Processing
- Further information about these modules is available on the department website.
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project within the broad area of physics and engineering in medicine which culminates in a written report of 10,000 words, a poster and an oral examination.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, practicals, assignments and a research project. Lecturers are drawn from UCL and from London teaching hospitals including UCLH, St. Bartholomew's, and the Royal Free Hospital. Assessment is through supervised examination, coursework, the dissertation and an oral examination.
Additional costs
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Graduates have obtained employment with a wide range of employers in health care, industry and academia sectors.
Employability
Postgraduate study within the department offers the chance to develop important skills and acquire new knowledge through involvement with a team of world-leading scientists and engineers. As well as developing key science and engineering knowledge, graduates learn project management, communication and team working skills which they are then able to apply to solving problems at the forefront of human endeavour. The department has a recognised track record for producing excellent graduates who go on to hold leading roles in universities, companies and hospitals around the world.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The MSc Research Project provides an opportunity to conduct research supervised by the department’s world-leading academics. The Research Excellence Framework in 2014 rated the department’s research as 95% 4* ("world-leading") or 3* ("internationally excellent") and UCL was the top-rated university in the UK for research strength.
Students have access to a wide range of workshop, laboratory, teaching and clinical facilities in the department and associated hospitals. A large range of scientific equipment is available for research involving nuclear magnetic resonance, optics, acoustics, X-rays, radiation dosimetry and implant development, as well as new biomedical engineering facilities at the Royal Free Hospital and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore.
Department: Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme is particularly suitable for students with an undergraduate degree in physics or engineering who wish to develop an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving in health care, and in particular those seeking employment as clinical or biomedical engineers in hospital, industry or university environments.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 31 May 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Physics and Engineering in Medicine at graduate level
- why you want to study Physics and Engineering in Medicine at UCL
- whether you have relevant industrial or workplace experience
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally after 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.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
