Biomedical Engineering MSc

This stream will enable you to:

• learn how to use CAD to design new medical devices
• understand fundamental aspects of biomaterials for medical applications
• understand the importance of regulatory requirements for medical devices
• critically assess the main advantages and limitations of medical products
• understand the biomechanics of the human body
• analyse the design and function of orthopaedic products
• learn how to predict the life and reliability of engineering materials

This stream will enable you to:

• understand the fundamental properties of biomaterials for medical applications
• learn the principles of tissue engineering
• learn how to develop strategies for repairing damaged tissue and organs
• understand how nature can help engineers develop complex functional materials, innovative designs and processes
• understand the importance of regulatory requirements for medical devices
• understand the biomechanics of the human body
• analyse the design and function of orthopaedic products

View this video where Dr Oana Bretcanu discusses the modules in this stream.

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching. Our Biomedical Engineering MSc is delivered by expert staff in the:

• School of Engineering
• Faculty of Medical Sciences
• Newcastle Law School

This offers a rich and diverse learning experience.

The course uses a blend of teaching methods, including:

• lectures and tutorials
• seminars
• practical laboratory sessions
• computer workshops
• research-led projects
• group work
• personal supervision

You'll benefit from clinical and industry guest lectures. You'll have the opportunity to carry out research and development projects. With access to multi-million-pound state-of-the-art facilities, you'll work alongside active collaborations between the University and industry.

Each stream is 180 credits and runs for three semesters, from late September until August in the following year.

Our modules are taught in a block format to allow an immersive alignment of lab and tutorial sessions with the teaching.

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Oral presentation
• PC examination
• Practical lab report
• Poster
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Written examination

For your taught modules you'll be assessed by a mixture of written and oral examinations, reports and coursework.

The research project will be assessed through a written dissertation, submitted at the end of August and an oral presentation, held by the beginning of September.

MSc Project and Dissertation (Individual Project)

The School of Engineering has an international reputation for transformative engineering and technology research. You'll have the opportunity to be part of this research and development though your MSc project.

The project will be decided in Semester 1 and will primarily occur in semesters 2 and 3. You’ll join world class research groups and learn to combine and apply the skills, knowledge and understanding gained from the modules you've undertaken. Specifically, you’ll learn to develop the ability to:

• formulate planning and organisational strategies
• review and summarise relevant technical papers and reports
• critique different techniques and strategies
• identify relevant/irrelevant material related to your MSc

Examples of research-led projects have included:

• hydrogels for 3D bioprinting
• electrospun fibres for wound dressing
• cartilage scaffolds
• bone scaffolds
• bone cements

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Dr Oana Bretcanu
Degree Programme Director

Module leader: Biomaterials

Module leader: Introduction to Tissue Engineering

Module leader: Biomimetics

Areas of expertise:

• biomaterials
• bone tissue engineering
• surface functionalisation
• drug delivery
• materials testing

Dr Elise Pegg

Module leader: Orthopaedic Engineering

Areas of expertise:

• orthopaedics
• medical device development
• metamaterials and biomaterials
• biomechanics
• finite element analysis

Dr. Jennifer Olsen

Module leader: Medical Devices Regulatory Requirements

Areas of expertise:

• upper-limb prosthetics
• medical devices regulation
• assistive device design & testing
• orthopaedic engineering

Dr Priscila Melo

Module leader: Biomedical Additive Manufacture and Biofabrication

Area of expertise:

• biomaterials
• biofabrication
• tissue engineering
• regenerative medicine
• microfluidics
• drug delivery

Dr Alessia Noccaro

Module leader: Contemporary Case Studies in Biomedical Engineering

Area of expertise:

• robotics
• mechatronics
• human-robot interaction
• neuroscience
• human motor control
• human augmentation
• haptic feedback

Dr. Adrian Oila

Module leader: Lifetime Prediction and Design for Reliability

Area of expertise:

• materials engineering
• tribology
• materials failure
• materials informatics

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.