Biomedical Engineering with Foundation Year

Biomedical engineering applies engineering principles and methods to problems in medicine and healthcare, developing the devices, instruments, software and systems that support diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and the monitoring of human health. It is a discipline that sits at the boundary of engineering and medicine, requiring both technical competence in design, electronics, software and materials and an understanding of human physiology and clinical needs. From pacemakers and prosthetics to imaging systems, wearable sensors and surgical robots, biomedical engineering underpins an enormous range of technologies that improve and extend human lives.

This four-year full-time BEng at the University of Southampton includes a foundation year, which develops the mathematical and scientific foundations needed before you progress to degree-level engineering work. The programme prepares you to tackle some of the biggest challenges in global healthcare, developing the skills to design software and hardware solutions that address real clinical problems, from supporting an ageing population to enabling rapid remote diagnosis and treatment. You will study engineering design, electronics, signals and systems, mechanics, materials and human physiology, developing the ability to work across the boundary between engineering and medical contexts.

Graduates work in medical device companies, NHS engineering departments, healthcare technology companies, pharmaceutical research, clinical technology management and biomedical research organisations. Roles in device design, systems engineering, software development, clinical engineering, regulatory affairs and research are all relevant destinations. The growing investment in digital health, wearable technology, remote monitoring and personalised medicine is creating new opportunities for biomedical engineers across the healthcare sector.

Further study at postgraduate level in biomedical engineering, clinical engineering or medical physics is a common route for those seeking specialist or research careers.