This cross-disciplinary programme is designed for students with a strong interest in engineering and bio-medicine. Drawing from our established expertise in engineering technologies and from the research synergies with the School of Biosciences, this degree produces engineers with a solid knowledge in biology and medical science.

This degree utilises the School of Engineering and Digital Arts’ experience in developing medical-electronic systems, and the considerable research expertise within the School of Biosciences. Our teaching is based on leading-edge research using case studies which incorporate hot topics within industry and emerging technologies.

Our programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which enables fast-track career progression as a professional engineer. 

Applicants for September 2020 entry can apply for a scholarship of a £2,000 one-off payment. For more information and to apply, see DA VINCI Academic scholarship. 

Our degree programme

Business and research environments, such as biotechnology, increasingly require engineers who can design complete solutions involving complex integrated systems. Biomedical Engineering at Kent goes beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries and educates engineers that can develop systems used in medical practice and biology research.

In the first year, you are given a broad grounding in biomedical engineering, including digital technologies, biochemistry, electronics, molecular and cellular biology, robotics and engineering mathematics. You also undertake laboratory-based practical work in both electronics and biology.

In the second year and final years, you study compulsory and optional modules that build upon the material learnt in the first year. Subjects include biomechanics, human physiology, bioinformatics and genomics, medical physics, programming and product development. You also complete a design or development-based engineering project.

Throughout the degree, you complete practical work, building bioscience-related electronic devices under the supervision of academics from engineering and biosciences. You also attend seminars delivered by experts in biomedical engineering working in private companies, research centres or NHS institutions.

Year in industry

It is possible to take this programme with a year in industry. For details, see Biomedical Engineering with a Year in Industry.

Study resources

We provide first-class facilities to support your studies, including:

• 120-seat multi-purpose engineering laboratory
• four air-conditioned computer suites housing around 150 high-end computers
• CAD and development software
• PCB and surface-mount facilities
• an anechoic chamber
• mechanical workshop staffed with skilled mechanical engineers.

Kent School of Engineering and Digital Arts is undergoing a £3 million redevelopment and modernisation which is due for completion in July 2020. You gain state-of-the-art engineering and design facilities which include

• a virtual reality suite
• a production studio (including photography, video and green screen facilities)
• a large teaching and design studio
• engineering workshop and fabrication facilities
• a dedicated makerspace.

Extra activities

There are a number of student-led societies at Kent which you may want to join. These include

• UKC Digital Media
• Kent Engineering Society
• TinkerSoc – Kent’s Maker Society. 

Professional network

The School has strong links with the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). We have several visiting industrial professors who contribute to the strong industrial relevance of our programmes.