Medical Engineering MSc
About this course
Please note: If you start the full-time course in January 2026, it will last 15 months. All other full-time courses (without a placement) are 12 months long.
This course has been developed to meet the needs of the healthcare sector and the medical industry in the UK and internationally. It is specifically designed to increase the employability of its graduates in an engineering and technological context by identifying new medical product opportunities and by conducting projects in collaboration with a range of relevant partners.
Medical Engineering is user-focused, taking a multidisciplinary approach and building on strong relationships with industry and the health sector. The course aims to provide you with live engineering and design experience and the tools to drive forward process, material and critical thinking in the commercial world.
You will benefit from the internationally recognised research activities in the engineering subject area which have been supported by grants from a variety of funding organisations. The engineering team has been involved with numerous international collaborative projects, and closely works with industry and the healthcare sector on different research and development schemes.
You will get a direct industrial experience of the newest developments in the field through collaboration with NTU's Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF), start-up companies, the Medical Engineering Design team, and the SWIFT research group.
Work with the surgical and clinical community on live project briefs as part of a substantial existing network between NTU and our relevant partners. These links and others we have in the medical industry mean that you could collaborate and undertake a project with them.
Working with our Medical Engineering Design Research Group gives a multi-disciplinary approach to design and engineering.
We will be seeking accreditation from the IET for this course.
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Top 20 in the UK for General Engineering (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023). -
In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 98% of NTU's Engineering submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
What you’ll study
You will be working in groups during lab exercises for some of the modules and also work on individual projects, especially during the individual industrial or engineering research project. You will have the possibility to work on (live) projects during all modules as part of training and formative assessment. Below is an overview of the areas you will cover.
- Design of medical and surgical products, tools and apparatus to improve the lives of patients and the workflow of medical professionals.
- Introduction to a range of tools and techniques applicable to the field including medical imaging, fluid dynamics prosthetics and rehabilitation robotics.
- Application of smart materials in medical products including prosthetics, medical devices and advanced medical coatings.
- Explore recent developments in bioinformatics, gene therapeutics, bionics, prosthesis, assistive robotics and exoskeletons.
- Understand the requirements for ethics, regulation and innovation in the medical sector.
Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Robotics
Explores the recent developments in bionics, prosthesis, assistive robotics, and exoskeleton technology. In this module, you will have the opportunity to look at some of these devices analyse their design and suggest possible improvements in this field.
Fluid Dynamics in Physiology and Medical Devices
This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills required when designing systems where the consideration of how fluids move and interact with their environment is paramount or when the controlled flow of fluids is the primary purpose of the system/device.
Medical Applications of Smart Materials
This module will introduce you to a wide range of current applications of smart materials and help you understand current research in the area which is likely to shape future developments. You will get to work with some of these materials in the laboratory to design and build a simple device to resolve a biomedical engineering problem.
Medical Signal and Image Processing
This module aims to introduce the theory and implementation of medical signal and image processing, with an emphasis on practical implementation using appropriate programming languages. It will help you quantify the accuracy of signals obtained from different types of biosensors (EEG, ECG and wearables) and how to extract information from complex signals or large datasets. You will gain understanding about common causes for artefacts in medical images, and how they can be overcome through optimising design of the imaging system and/or processing of images.
Current Developments in Biomedical Engineering
Through this module, you will understand the need for innovation and constant development in bioengineering. By the end of this module, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to be a highly skilled engineer.
Research Methods
The research methods elements of this module will focus on literature searching and critical reviewing strategies, ethical considerations, research design, sampling and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques using applicable software tools.
Individual Industrial or Research Project
This module is the “capstone” project in which you will bring together the knowledge, understanding and skills you have developed. You will investigate an engineering problem, implement solutions, critically evaluate, and reflect on your work, and develop your abilities to communicate, self-organise and manage. The CPD component of this module will inform your learning journey both throughout your MSc and after.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
This programme is delivered by a combination of:
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Seminars and Tutorials
- Project Work
- Case studies
- Oral presentations
- Workshops
- Laboratory assessments and reports
You will be assessed by a mixture of coursework including reports, ePortfolio, and project work, and written and practical exams.
Research informed teaching
By daring to think differently our research is tackling real-world issues. The subjects you will study with us are informed by our research so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 98% of NTU's Engineering submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
How you're assessed
Coursework (50%), written (38%) and practical (12%)
Contact hours
Lectures / seminars / workshops (27%) and independent study (73%)
Careers and employability
Mentoring and support
All students will be allocated a personal tutor throughout their course of study in order to provide pastoral support. Each module will provide students with the opportunity to engage with specialist lecturers via seminars and project work, allowing them to explore knowledge they are applying to assignments and topical discussion points.
All staff members teaching on the programme are members of professional institutions and most are active researchers, with many undertaking industrial consultancy.
Our commercial, surgical and clinical partners will also be available to provide support for student projects and as needed for other student-specific requirements.
Your future
You will graduate with a broad range of skills applicable to medical engineering and design. These include (but will not be limited to):
- concepts behind medical imaging techniques and good practice in image acquisition and processing
- understanding of new (smart) materials for improving the functionality
- cost and / or sustainability of medical devices and prosthetics
- understanding of the impact of prosthetics or medical implants on the body’s metabolism.
You will also gain an understanding of the implementation of medical engineering in industry and academia, gaining an understanding of intellectual property, medical ethics and regulations, as well as business principles and commercialisation.
As part of the course, you will have the opportunity to engage with leaders and potential employers during extra-curricular activities provided as part of the courses. These may include visits to the Smart Manufacturing and Engineering Week or the EBME expo. We will also help you engage with professional bodies such as IET, IMechE, IEEE and IPEM to further your career development.
The course is ideal preparation for roles in the design, application or regulation of medical devices within specialist design consultancies or medical device companies.
The multi-disciplinary nature of this course means you are able to acquire advanced engineering design, technological, materials and design skills to enhance your potential to become a leading medical design engineer, technologist, or medical product designer.
You may also wish to progress onto further study at PhD level.
Placement
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
This course offers you the opportunity to take a one-year (sandwich) placement. With placement, the course will be a total of two years of full-time study.
The school of Science and Technology will work closely with you to help you find a placement and strengthen your CV and interview techniques. During the placement year, an academic member of staff will visit to check on your progress and offer any advice. On completion of the placement year, students will submit a placement report and continue back at NTU for three months during which time they will complete their research project.
Re:search Re:imagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From conservation management to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Engineering Building with access to facilities including:
- Robotic Technologies for Surgical Applications (including co-robotic platforms)
- Software Enabled Surgery tools
- Hardware for Augmented and Virtual Reality Systems development
- 3D / 4D and Bio-Printing
- Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) platforms
- Physiological measurement equipment (ECG, EEG etc)
- Climate Chamber
- Biochemistry lab equipment
- Cell culture labs
- Medical Imaging facilities (MRI, ultrasound, OCT),
- CAD and simulation software
- Full-size adult Simbodies with clinical capabilities and head manikins for difficult airways
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
Academic entry requirements: 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline such as Engineering or BEng / BSc Product Design subjects
Applicants with relevant employment experience or qualifications will also be considered.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline such as Engineering or BEng / BSc Product Design subjects
Applicants with relevant employment experience or qualifications will also be considered.
We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
