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Biomedical Engineering BEng

London, Bloomsbury

This exciting programme provides a grounding in the practical application of engineering principles and design concepts to healthcare technologies. It draws on the research strengths of UCL and its excellent links to local hospitals, and prepares graduates to work in a wide range of technology areas from imaging and diagnosis to monitoring and treatment.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
Programme starts
September 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
HC60

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
AAA
Subjects
Mathematics and Physics required at grade A
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
ABB more about contextual offers
Subjects
A in Mathematics, B in Physics
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points overall in three higher level subjects, including grade 6 in Mathematics and Physics, with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Points
34 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 16 points overall in three higher level subjects, including Mathematics at 6 and Physics at 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Mathematics and Physics required.

A,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher) Mathematics and Physics at Advanced Higher required.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA Mathematics and Physics required.

International applications

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

If you do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry to this undergraduate programme, you may be eligible to apply for the Engineering Foundation Year at UCL. Designed for individuals from non-traditional educational backgrounds who do not meet standard entry requirements for UCL's undergraduate engineering degrees, this pre-degree programme helps you develop confidence, academic and study skills, and subject specific knowledge. On successful completion of the Engineering Foundation Year, you can gain access to a selection of the engineering undergraduate degree programmes at UCL. Find out more about the Engineering Foundation Year.

 

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview


We offer the option of studying a three-year Biomedical Engineering BEng or a more in-depth four-year Biomedical Engineering MEng programme. The first two years of study for both programmes are identical and transfer between the two is possible up to the end of the second year. We advise applying for the MEng initially which makes it easier to defer your decision.

This degree is part of the Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP), a teaching framework that engages students in specialist and interdisciplinary activities designed to create well-rounded graduates with a strong grasp of the fundamentals of their discipline and a broad understanding of the complexity and context of engineering problems. Students register for a core discipline, but also engage in activities that span departments. This means that the development of fundamental technical knowledge takes place alongside specialist and interdisciplinary research-based projects and professional skills development.

What this course will give you

Academic lectures are supported by practical problem-solving tasks which develop an understanding of teamwork, the design process and communication.

We have close links to several major teaching hospitals and our staff work side-by-side with doctors and health professionals. Their expert knowledge will directly benefit your lectures and teaching sessions.

Students in their final year have the opportunity to carry out an individual, innovative project within a world-leading research group in the department, putting their knowledge into practice. 

The programme is highly interdisciplinary, drawing not only from expertise in UCL's Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering, but also in engineering, science and healthcare from across UCL Faculty of Engineering and beyond. UCL has been rated 2nd overall in the UK for research power in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BEng (Hons) in Biomedical Engineering.

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 is 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.

In your first year, you will receive an introduction to biomedical engineering, including electronics and mechanics, with mathematical modelling and analysis, which are needed to design and develop complex medical technologies.

In year two, you will build upon the skills and knowledge you have already gained and take modules in areas of biomedical engineering such as anatomy and physiology, tissue engineering and biomechanics. You will also select an optional IEP minor from a range offered across UCL Engineering and beyond, which may include programming, entrepreneurship or a foreign language.

In your third year, you will study three further biomedical modules in engineering, two further modules from your optional IEP minor stream, and one other optional module and undertake a major individual project linked to research strengths across UCL Engineering and UCL's substantial healthcare partners.

Please note: the modules for this programme are currently under review and may be subject to change. Updated information will be available by September 2024.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules









Compulsory modules


Programming for Biomedical Engineering







Compulsory modules


Medical Imaging for Biomedical Engineers




Optional modules






Your learning

As well as attending lectures, you will also undertake tutorials and practical work, including individual and group projects. Third year projects are conducted in active, well-equipped research groups, often involving collaborations with local hospitals. Some biomedical engineering lectures and projects are taken by a mix of biomedical engineering, medical physics and medical students, and students from other engineering disciplines reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the work.

Each module typically consists of around 36-40 contact hours spread over a ten-week term (excluding reading week). During each week, you should therefore expect about 15 contact hours – more if there are practicals scheduled. This time is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions.

You will need to spend your own time in addition to the timetabled hours reviewing the material and completing coursework. You should expect to spend at least 40 hours per week on your studies.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a wide range of methods, including coursework, presentations, group work and end-of-year examinations.

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.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Biomedical Engineering BEng/MEng Q&A (AM)

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Join our online event to find out more about our Biomedical Engineering undergraduate degrees. You’ll have the opportunity to chat with the Admissions Tutor and our current students and to ask questions about the course, future career opportunities for MPBE graduates and what it’s like to be part of our fantastic community.

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Biomedical Engineering BEng/MEng Q&A (PM)

—

Join our online event to find out more about our Biomedical Engineering undergraduate degrees. You’ll have the opportunity to chat with the Admissions Tutor and our current students and to ask questions about the course, future career opportunities for MPBE graduates and what it’s like to be part of our fantastic community.

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Physics with Medical Physics BSc/MSci Q&A (AM)

—

Join our online Q&As to find out more about our Medical Physics undergraduate degree. You’ll have the opportunity to chat with the Admissions Tutor and our current students and to ask questions about the course, future career opportunities for MPBE graduates and what it’s like to be part of our fantastic community.

The foundation of your career

Engineers specialised in medicine work alongside clinicians, therapists and researchers to develop systems, equipment and devices in order to diagnose and treat illnesses. Biomedical engineers are responsible for such life-saving and life-enhancing technologies as prosthetics, dentures, artificial hearts, dialysis machines, robotic and laser eye surgery, pacemakers, and wearable technology.

Learn more about graduate career paths, and find out where some of our alumni are working, on our Engineering Careers website.

Employability

Engineers tend to be logical, numerate problem solvers who are good at working in interdisciplinary teams. There is a demand for people who have developed such skills in a wide range of careers within academia, hospitals or industry.

Accreditation

Full satisfaction of IET requirements to register as a Chartered Engineer would require 1 year of further accredited study at MSc level. In order to meet the Engineering Council requirements for an accredited degree (which apply to all programmes professionally accredited by the Engineering Council, across all universities), students on this programme must pass all modules, with some specific exceptions for a very limited number of modules, where failing by a small margin may be tolerated. If a student fails a module (two attempts are permitted) they may be eligible to transfer to a related non-accredited degree.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Foundation Year fees for UK students are £6,000.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

You will require an approved model of calculator for use in exams.  Currently this is either the Casio FX-85GT X or Casio FX-83GT X, which can be purchased for around £11 - £15. For details please see the UCL examinations guide.

It is advisable to have a windows laptop (information about the recommended specification will be sent to all students once their place is confirmed).

This programme does not have any additional costs outside of generic stationery. Purchasing books is optional. 

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

Biomedical Engineering students possess altruistic characteristics and demonstrate a genuine desire to improve healthcare outcomes for their community. As a student, you will explore novel and innovative solutions while fuelling your curiosity, and navigating the dynamic intersections of biology and engineering. Joining UCL, the home of disruptive thinkers, ensures you will become part of a university that not only values these qualities but also actively contributes to changing the world for the better.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering

medphys.teaching@ucl.ac.uk

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