Study biomedical engineering abroad

Biomedical engineering applies the principles of science, engineering and medicine to the development and advancement of a range of medical technologies.

As a biomedical engineering student, you’ll develop an academic and practical understanding of engineering systems, as well as studying human physiology and biology. You’ll work towards developing engineering solutions to help solve medical problems, like advanced prosthetics, robots for surgery, diagnostic equipment and artificial organs.

Studying biomedical engineering abroad could be the perfect option if you’re interested in engineering that interacts with the human body. Universities all over the world offer biomedical engineering, so you won’t be short of options when it comes to choosing where to study abroad.

You can study biomedical engineering at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. At the undergraduate level, many universities offer a BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) program that usually lasts three years. Alternatively, you can choose an MEng (Master of Engineering) program, which combines a bachelor’s and master’s degree into one four year course.

If you choose to study in the US, you can earn a BSc in biomedical engineering by choosing it as your major concentration. This means you’ll gain a liberal arts education while dedicating a certain amount of credits to biomedical engineering modules over four years of study.

If you have a bachelor’s degree and want to continue your education, many universities offer MSc programs in biomedical engineering over one or two years. To be accepted into this type of program your bachelor’s degree will need to be in a related subject, and you may need to have achieved a certain grade. PhD programs are also offered at several universities, and usually take around five years to complete.

As a subject that combines practical and theoretical elements, most programs are taught through lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory sessions. Some courses will give you the opportunity of working in the industry gaining real-world experience in professional laboratories.

Most biomedical engineering programs are made up of core modules and electives you can choose yourself. Each university will offer their own unique curriculum, but some of the most common modules you’ll study include:

• Mathematics for engineering
• Programming
• Mechanical systems
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Biological medical science
• Medical biophysics
• Medical instrumentation
• Mechatronics

As a biomedical engineering graduate you’ll have developed the skills needed to enter the rapidly expanding manufacturing and health care sector. Some of the careers you might consider include:

• Biomedical engineer
• Biomedical scientist
• Nanotechnologist
• Medical research scientist
• Prosthetic design engineer
• Medical device specialist
• Clinical engineer
• Rehabilitation engineer

To help you achieve your career goals, make use of your university’s careers services. They can help you work out what path you’ll need to take to get the job you want, and can put you in contact with relevant employers when you’re ready to start applying.