Close
Contact information
- Dr Darren Player
- Admissions Tutor
- dsis.mse@ucl.ac.uk
- Dr Alvena Kureshi
- Admissions Tutor
- dsis.mse@ucl.ac.uk
Medical Sciences and Engineering MSci
This unique, cross-faculty degree will give you knowledge of human physiology and disease, with engineering and problem-solving skills. By learning how to combine innovation and technology with translation towards patient care, you will graduate with multi-disciplinary skills. You will be equipped to work in the biomedical and healthcare industries in areas such as pharmaceuticals, designing artificial and regenerative tissues, robotic surgeries and improved prosthetics.
Covid-19 programme updates
Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.
Key Information
Programme starts
September 2020
- UCAS code
- Duration
-
Full-time: 4 years
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2020
- Location
- London, Bloomsbury
Entry requirements
A Levels
- Grades
- AAB
- Subjects
- Mathematics, Biology at grade AA and either Physics or Chemistry at grade B required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
Contextual offer
- Grades
- ABB (more about contextual offers)
- Subjects
- Mathematics at grade A and Biology at grade B. Either Physics or Chemistry at grade B also required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
IB Diploma
- Points
- 36
- Subjects
- A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, including a score of 6 in both Mathematics and Biology and either Physics or Chemistry with a minimum score of 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 34 (more about contextual offers)
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, including a score of 6 in Mathematics, plus Biology and either Physics or Chemistry, with a minimum score of 5.
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.
Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 23 credits awarded with Distinction in the Level 3 units, the remainder of the Level 3 units awarded with Merit. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Mathematics and Biology at D3 and either Physics or Chemistry at M1.
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher), including Mathematics and Biology at A,A Advanced Higher and either Physics or Chemistry at Advanced Higher or Higher.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAB including Mathematics and Biology at grade AA and either Physics or Chemistry at grade B.
International applications
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
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. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Degree benefits
You will benefit from innovative teaching methods underpinned by world-leading research activity in medical science and engineering across UCL. UCL is the top UK university for research strength (REF2014) and a top 10 Faculty for Medical Sciences in the world (QS).
You will personalise your degree along a medical science or engineering stream in the third year, by choosing optional modules. You will engage with scientists, clinicians and engineers across UCL's Bloomsbury, Royal Free and Stanmore campuses and their associated hospitals in world-class facilities.
You will develop entrepreneurial skills and learn how research can be translated into clinical practice. You will also learn about commercialisation within the medical technology industry.
By completing an additional MSci year, you will further specialise by selecting a theme for your optional modules and carrying out an additional research project.
Degree structure
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).
This degree is split equally between engineering and medical science and is composed of eight compulsory modules in year one and eight in year two.
In year three students are able to choose from a range of optional modules. You will be encouraged to design your degree programme along themes which include engineering and medical sciences. You will also complete two compulsory modules; Research Project and Professional Clinical Practice.
You will have the opportunity to experience UCL's cutting-edge research laboratories, as well as state-of-the-art hospital facilities.
MSci students will be able to carry out a research project in medical sciences and/or engineering in their third year, as well as a larger research project in their final year, alongside further optional modules.
You can read detailed reviews of each module from current students here.
Covid-19 placement updates
Due to COVID-19 updates, there may need to be changes to planned placements for this programme. This will depend on social distancing measures, the availability of the relevant placements, and the relative risk of completing the placement. Your department will keep you updated if placements are able to occur and/or any alternative options available.
Modules
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
Core or compulsory module(s)
Introduction to Engineering and Biology for Medicine
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function in Health and Disease
Mathematics and Modelling
Medical Instrumentation
The Gut, Liver and Drug Metabolism
Kidneys, Hormonal Control of Human Physiology, Fluid Balance and Nutrition
Materials and Mechanics
Design and Professional Skills 1
Optional modules
All first year modules are compulsory.
Core or compulsory module(s)
The Functional Nervous System and Brain
Medical Instrumentation II
Mathematical Modelling and Analysis
Musculoskeletal Biology
Manufacturing Regenerative Medicines
Fundamentals of Biomechanics
Infection, Inflammation and Repair
Professional Medical Practice
Optional modules
All second year modules are compulsory.
Core or compulsory module(s)
Professional Clinical Practice
Research Project
Optional modules
A variety of optional modules will be available, allowing students to personalise their degree along a themes including engineering or medical sciences.
Core or compulsory module(s)
There are no compulsory modules in year four.
Optional modules
Students will be able to select modules from a range, allowing them to personalise their degree along an engineering or medical sciences themes.
Covid-19 module updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be updates to the modules for your chosen programme of study this year. Some modules may not be available or may need to be moved to a later term or year of study. We have included these updates below:
Medical Innovation and Enterprise I (SURG0117) has now been removed from the syllabus for this programme
Musculoskeletal Systems in Health and Disease (MEDC0009) will now be available
These updates are relevant for 2020-21 academic year only. The full list of modules will be available in the module catalogue from late August. From the first week of September, you will be invited to complete module selection from Portico, our student record system.
There may need to be additional updates or changes to modules during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available.
Your learning
Taught modules will be supported by specially-tailored group tutorials. Working in small teams, students will apply their knowledge within a supported environment, supervised by academics. Formal learning will include practical laboratory classes, case-based discussions, workshops and research projects (group and individual).
Covid-19 practical component updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be changes to the availability of the practical components for your chosen programme.
Any updates relate only to the 20/21 academic year and may not apply to all students across the programme depending on your year of study.
Your department will keep you updated if the practical component of your programme is able to occur and/or any alternative options available.
There may need to be additional updates or changes to the practical component during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and/or Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available.
Covid-19 contact hours on campus
In Term One, while campus will be open, all the learning activity for the core content of your modules will take place online – including lectures, tutorials, seminars and assessments. By “core content” we mean everything you need to learn to complete the module successfully.
In addition to these online contact hours, we will be offering some face-to-face educational activities for students on campus, and we will provide alternative online activities for those students unable to join us on campus. These activities, which will include contact with academic staff, will be relevant to your programme of study may include seminars, academic and employability skills workshops, small-group or individual tutorials, lab and practice-based teaching.
UK Government safety guidelines will limit the amount of ‘in person’ activity we can offer and while it will vary from programme to programme, is likely to be no more than 1-2 hours per week. This will vary across departments, particularly if your programme includes laboratory/practical/studio/workshop sessions. You will be updated with more specific details as they are available and your timetable will indicate which sessions will be on campus and which will be available online.
Communicating further Covid-19 mitigation plans
We are continuing to follow UK Government guidance, as well as the expertise of our researchers, including specialists in health, education, human behaviour and infection prevention, to make sure UCL is as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it becomes necessary to make further changes to your programme as a result of new guidance/regulations, UCL and your department will communicate these as soon as this becomes clear. We will keep you up-to-date with our plans throughout term one, so you have the information you need to be able to take decisions that are right for your circumstances. Please ensure that you keep in touch with your department by regularly checking your UCL emails, Moodle courses, the Coronavirus FAQs for Students page and any UCL online groups or social media you follow.
Assessment
A range of methods of assessment will be used across the programme, including: written coursework, project reports, and unseen examinations (designed to test knowledge and understanding of both medical sciences and engineering).
Covid-19 assessment updates
There may be changes to the format of assessments for modules in this programme due to COVID-19. These will be summarised for each module on the module catalogue from 17 August 2020.
If any changes to assessments need to be made during the academic year due to updates in government guidance, these will be communicated to you as soon as possible from your department.
Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: Medical Sciences and Engineering MSci.
Careers
Graduates will be equipped to deliver world-class biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine solutions in clinical, commercial, regulatory and research environments. They will have the skills to move into the expanding global medical technologies and regenerative medicine sectors as product specialists, researchers, designers and regulatory advisors. Graduates may also enter NHS Clinical Scientist and Clinical Engineer training programmes.
Recent government and industry reports have identified skills shortages in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. These shortages need to be met by multidisciplinary graduates who can think broadly to create new solutions to global challenges.
Graduates will be able to work in areas such as biomedical science and pharmaceuticals, designing artificial and regenerative body organs and tissues, designing equipment for improved surgical techniques (robotic surgery) and assistive technology. You could also develop a career in innovating techniques for diagnosis and treatment of disease, or quantifying physiological function. Graduates may also wish to continue pursue postgraduate studies.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2020/21 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
- UK/EU students
- £9,250 (2020/21)
- Overseas students
- £26,490 (2020/21)
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
The core textbooks for all modules are available in UCL Libraries (including the Royal Free library), and journal articles in your reading lists are available to download electronically. Some students may wish to purchase their own text books or print course documents and if you would like to do this, then we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this. In addition students will be required to pay for their own travel costs to placements or project locations, depending upon he project/placement that they choose.
Funding
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.
Departmental scholarships
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
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.
Application and next steps
Your application
We will be looking for evidence of your motivation, commitment and enthusiasm to pursue this degree. This could be demonstrated through relevant work or other experiences (e.g. attendance at a scientific exhibition). This programme will suit students who want to make a difference in the world, who are innovative and inventive, and who are prepared to be challenged.
Due to the programme content, we require applicants have an A level in Biology and Mathematics, plus one additional STEM subject (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Further Mathematics).
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.
Application deadline: 15 January 2020
Selection
We will use your predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your personal statement and your reference to decide whether to offer you a place.
We are happy to defer your entry for one year, provided that you have made definite plans for that year (such as working in a relevant field to gain experience or broadening your horizons through travel).
We enthusiastically welcome students applying from overseas.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.
Page last modified on 22 June 2020