Guide to studying Medical Technology & Bioengineering

CONTENTS

1. What's Medical Technology & Bioengineering?

2. Why study Medical Technology & Bioengineering?

3. What jobs can you get as a Medical Technology & Bioengineering graduate?

4. What qualifications do you need?

5. What degrees can you study?

6. How will you be assessed?

7. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

What's Medical Technology & Bioengineering?

Medical Technology & Bioengineering is where technology and biology are used to diagnose, monitor and treat the diseases that affect humans. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines and learning.

Research is generally focused on improving the quality of healthcare provided through better diagnosis, reducing the invasiveness or time taken for treatment, and lowering the time needed to be spent in hospital.

Related courses and areas include:

• Diagnostic imaging
• Bioelectronics
• Biomechanics
• Clinical engineering
• Dental technology
• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Why study Medical Technology & Bioengineering?

Medical Technology & Bioengineering is suitable for those who enjoyed and were good at a range of topics at A Level. It calls on those who enjoy Chemistry, Biology and other scientific disciplines.

Medical Technology & Bioengineering degrees can line you up laboratory work, research posts, public health, teaching and pharmaceuticals.

Read our four reasons to study Medical Technology & Bioengineering for more information on why you might choose this subject area.

What jobs can you get as a Medical Technology & Engineering graduate?

Medical Technology & Bioengineering degrees teach transferable skills such as presentation, research and communication, as well as healthcare information.

Particular job roles include medical engineer, laboratory technologist, doctoral assistant and ultrasound technician, or in areas such as radiology, forensics, government and research.

Numerous companies offer graduate schemes in this subject, such as the NHS.

What qualifications do you need? 

Medical Technology & Bioengineering courses often ask for at least one A Level in Physics, Biology or Chemistry. It's useful to have studied Mathematics also.

Grade requirements depend on the university. Make sure to check the entry requirements for the particular university and course you're interested in.

What degrees can you study?

• BEng/MEng Biomedical Engineering
• BEng/MEng Bioengineering
• MSc Advanced Medical and Healthcare Materials
• MSc Clinical Reporting
• MSc Design for Medical Technologies

Most four-year courses include a placement year where you gain extensive and often paid industry experience.

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed through coursework and exams. A final year research project or dissertation is common.

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of taught MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include a straight MEng in Medical Technology, an MRes in Bioengineering and master's courses in Advanced Medical Imaging, Advanced Practice, Health Informatics, Image Interpretation and Ultrasound.