Biomedical Engineering with a Year in Industry

Biomedical engineering applies engineering principles and design methods to medicine and biology, creating the devices, systems and technologies that modern healthcare depends on, from diagnostic imaging equipment and prosthetic limbs to implantable sensors and drug delivery systems. It is a discipline that demands both rigorous engineering foundations and a genuine understanding of physiology and clinical needs, making it one of the most purposeful and technically challenging fields available to engineering students. As medical technology continues to advance, the demand for engineers who can bridge the gap between the laboratory and the clinic has never been greater.

At the University of Kent, this four-year full-time programme includes a year in industry, giving you sustained professional experience as part of your degree. Kent's approach to biomedical engineering educates engineers who can develop complete solutions involving complex integrated systems, combining fundamental engineering disciplines such as electronics, materials science, mechanics, signal processing and computing with specific knowledge of medical devices, biological systems and healthcare applications. You will learn to design systems used in both medical practice and biological research, developing the technical depth and the problem-solving approach that both sectors require.

The year in industry places you within a business or research environment for an extended period, where you can apply your learning and build your professional understanding of how biomedical engineering projects are developed and delivered.

Graduates pursue careers in medical device companies, NHS clinical engineering, pharmaceutical research, defence and defence medicine, biomedical research institutions and regulatory consultancy. The engineering skills developed also transfer into broader technology, robotics and software roles. Many graduates seek professional registration with the Engineering Council, and further study at master's or doctoral level in biomedical engineering, medical physics or a related field is a common route for those drawn to research or highly specialist careers.