Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering applies the principles and problem-solving approaches of engineering to the design of devices, systems, and processes that improve health and healthcare. It is a discipline that sits at the interface of engineering and medicine, producing the diagnostic equipment, prosthetics, surgical instruments, imaging systems, and monitoring devices that are central to modern clinical practice. As healthcare systems become more technology-dependent and the demand for personalised medicine grows, the importance of people who can think as both engineers and biomedical scientists increases.

At the University of York, this three-year full-time programme develops your knowledge across electronic, electrical, mechanical, and mechatronic principles, applying them to engineering challenges that have direct relevance to health and society. You will work on group engineering design and project work at every stage of the programme, with real-world examples that have measurable societal impact, developing both technical problem-solving skills and the collaborative working habits that characterise professional engineering practice. The degree gives you the flexibility to focus your studies in directions that align with your particular interests, whether that is electronics and sensors, mechanical design, or biomedical imaging.

The sandwich placement year gives you direct professional experience in a biomedical engineering or related environment.

Graduates go on to careers in the medical devices industry, NHS engineering departments, clinical technology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development, and engineering consultancy with health sector clients. The combination of engineering rigour and biomedical focus is valued by employers developing the next generation of diagnostic tools, wearable devices, and surgical technologies. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in biomedical engineering, medical physics, or a related engineering discipline, contributing to the research and development that drives the field forward.