BEng Biomedical Engineering

On our BEng Biomedical Engineering course you will study with expert academics, develop your transferable skills, and learn how to diagnose, prevent and treat disease in this new and emerging field.

Do you have an innate curiosity for human physiology and a keen understanding of mathematics? Learn how the brain works, what techniques exist to monitor different tissues in the human body and to diagnose, prevent and treat disease and restore bodily functions.

You will engage in practical lab-based classes enhancing different practical skills. You'll also experience techniques such as immuno-fluorescent labelling, microscopy, DNA and protein analysis, EEG recordings, cell culture and aseptic technique and analytical methods. 100% of our BSc Biomedical Engineering students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, respondents from Biomedical Engineering courses).

We are conducting world-renowned research in the fields of neural engineering, rehabilitation and medical technology. During your degree you will have the opportunity to undertake original research in the above fields, while completing your final-year project.

Our new £60m Health and Life Sciences building opened in 2020. As the new home of the School of Biological Sciences, it offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

Placements

You could also opt for the four-year variant of this course, BEng Biomedical Engineering with Professional Experience, that include a one-year placement within the industry between your second and final years of study. It is possible to start the three-year BEng programme without a year in industry and still undertake a placement, should you decide to do so - the decision on the placement can be postponed until the start of your second year.

The School of Biological Sciences has excellent relationships with a number of organisations in the world of biomedical engineering, including GSK and Microchip Ltd.

Overview

On our BEng Biomedical Engineering course you will study with expert academics, develop your transferable skills, and learn how to diagnose, prevent and treat disease in this new and emerging field.

Placements

The School of Biological Sciences has excellent relationships with a number of organisations in the world of biomedical engineering, including GSK and Microchip Ltd.

Entry requirements A Level ABB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

ABB, including grade B in Mathematics or Physics, or BBB including grade B in Mathematics or Physics and a second science.

Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall, including 5 in Maths or Physics at higher level.

30 points overall, including 5 in Maths or Physics and in another science, both at higher level.

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD (modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Anatomy and Physiology

Learn about the basics of the anatomy of some of the major systems of the human body and the physiological processes taking part within and between them.

Mathematics

Analyse engineering problems using the techniques of series, complex numbers, differentiation, integration, differential equations, statistics, vectors, and matrix algebra.

Programming

Gain practical programming skills in developing and writing your own programs. By the end of the module, you will be able to predict the outputs a segment of code will produce.

Physical Essentials for Medicine

Acquire fundamental knowledge about diagnosing and treating human health issues, which will serve as a foundation for more specialised clinical modules in the future.

Robotics in Medicine and Prosthetics

Discover the world of functional prosthetics, robotics, exoskeletons and medical equipment used for medical and rehabilitation applications. You'll learn about the mechanical and engineering design principles needed to create new devices, robots and orthotics, and gain a basic understanding of the principles of forces, torques and joints applied to humans, animals and mechanisms.

Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life

Learn about the structure and organisation of cells, with a focus on the common features found in all life. You’ll also discover how the differences between cells are essential for creating the diversity of life on the planet.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Biomedical Sensors and Wearable Technology

Discover the different types of sensors used for biomedical application areas, their characteristics and principles of operation. You’ll learn how to choose appropriate sensors and transducers for a given application and be able to calculate how the output signals they produce are related to the quantities they are sensing.

Principles of Physical Interventions in Medicine

Understand the anatomy and physiology of the eye, the ear, the brain and the wide range of instrumentation functions to diagnose common conditions.

Biomedical Signal Processing and Feedback Systems

Discover the fundamentals of processing biomedical signals, including analysing signals in both the time and the frequency domain.

Biomedical Problem Solving

Acquire an understanding of the concepts, practice and management associated with developing a technological solution from initial problem statement to delivery for a given biomedical problem.

Research and Professional Skills

Enhance your ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, effectively communicate ideas, handle data and apply appropriate quantitative approaches and use a combination of lectures, workshops, academic tutor led sessions and group activities to help you to develop and refine these skills.

Optional modules

Medical Genetics

Understand how genetic defects at the molecular level impact on pathophysiology and influence disease risk, progression and severity. You’ll study aetiology of major medical diseases, with a focus on both mendelian and complex polygenic disorders.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Learn the key concepts of bioinformatics and computational biology, including the basics of algorithms, machine learning, and agent-based systems. You'll gain the necessary programming and computational skills required for a successful career in modern biology.

IWLP/UWM

Robotics in Medicine and Prosthetics

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Research Project

Gain hands-on experience in independent research, applying, and expanding, what you’ve learned while working with an academic supervisor on experiments, data analysis, and science communication.

Biomechanics and Soft Technologies

Gain fundamental knowledge in biomechanics, soft robotics, and material science applications. You’ll explore topics like flexible electrodes, advanced soft robotics, and assistive robotics.

Brain-Computer Interfaces and Assistive Technology

Gain a comprehensive understanding of assistive technology (AT). You'll learn the design principles, gain hands-on experience, demonstrate the equipment, and code the signal of an assistive technology, brain-computer interface (BCI).

Optional modules

Neuroscience

Gain an introduction to neuroscience, focusing on the structure and function of the central nervous system. You’ll learn healthy brain function and how it changes in disease and neurodivergent conditions, covering different topics such as learning, memory, and neuroanatomy.

Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy for Cancer

Study various imaging techniques like X-rays, ultrasound, CT, PET, and SPECT. You'll also discover radiotherapy planning, equipment operation, and radiopharmaceutical production.

Medical Imaging

Learn how to create medical images for clinical analysis and treatment. Through lectures and practical sessions, you’ll explore the fundamentals, operation, design and application of MRI, CT, and ultrasound imaging systems.

Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering

Explore the intriguing fields of materials science, synthetic biology, and tissue engineering. You'll gain an understanding of synthetic biology and its initial focus on the cellular level, as well as the more recent focus on tissue engineering, which involves the development of implantable devices and tissue replacement to restore lost organs and their function. You'll learn how the principles underpinning synthetic biology and the synthetic biology design cycle.

Innovation and Product Development

Explore case studies of real product innovations and concepts and learn about the innovation process from science to product development, focusing on medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,535 per year for 2025/26 then fixed per year at this fee for the standard duration of your course.

New international students: £29,950 per year for 2025/26 then fixed per year at this fee for the standard duration of your course.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the University of Reading sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

This degree is geared towards a career in the biomedical sector. You will learn how to design and execute experiments, work in teams, use statistics and computing to interpret data and write essays and reports. You will also develop transferable skills that are highly valued by employers, giving you the advantage in a competitive job market. Overall, 91.4% of graduates from the School of Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22, includes all School of Biological Sciences responders).

Students studying biomedical engineering have pursued careers in a range of fields, including research, pharmaceutical development, clinical engineering, and software development.

BEng Biomedical Engineering

Placements

Tuition fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

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