KTH Royal Institute of Technology
MSc Medical Engineering
Stockholm, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
SEK 360,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA/swiss | no tuition fee for citizens of EU/EEA country or switzerland
Key Summary
The master's programme in Medical Engineering covers the broad and interdisciplinary field of Medical Engineering, exploring the merits and limitations of the technology used in clinical and preclinical applications. Students choose a specialisation in Computer Science, Electronics or Physics, and further specialise in Biomechanics, Health Systems or Imaging. Professionals with experience in both technology and medicine face vast career opportunities.
Medical Engineering at KTH
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is offered at KTH Campus and KTH Flemingsberg in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (at KTH). The school has many relevant research collaborations with the globally recognised Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset. Students are strongly encouraged to spend at least a term at another university (in Sweden or abroad) through an exchange programme.
Medical Engineering is a broad and interdisciplinary field. The programme is divided into three tracks to help you choose a coherent study plan that fits your background knowledge and aspirations. The tracks are Computer Science, Electronics, and Physics. In addition to the track, you will choose one of three specialisations in different Medical Engineering application areas. These are Biomechanics, Health Systems, and Imaging. The eight possible combinations of track and specialisation are presented in the following table:
| Computer Science | Electronics | Physics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biomechanics | X | X | X |
| Health Systems | X | X | |
| Imaging | X | X | X |
The Computer Science track helps students with a strong interest in computer science to train their ability to use state-of-the-art computer-science tools in Biomechanics, Imaging, Logistics and management of Health care. Computer simulations of brain damage occurring in car crashes, automatic segmentation of lesions in medical images with neural-network-based algorithms or optimised workflow design in a hospital ward through computer simulations are a few examples of applications in this track for the different specialisations.
The Electronics track helps students with a strong interest in Electronics to train their ability to use state-of-the-art electronics tools in Biomechanics, Imaging, Logistics and management of Health care. Designing and producing sensors that track and measure human movement, efficiently reading out and processing signals from an imaging detector or studying the behaviour of staff and patients using electronic devices, can be typical applications in this track for the different specialisations.
The Physics track helps students with a strong interest in Physics or Mathematics to train their ability to use state-of-the-art tools from Physics or Mathematics in Biomechanics or Imaging. Modelling of human movement, optimisation of imaging protocols or design of new imaging systems are some examples of applications in this track for the different specialisations.
During the first year of the programme, students from all tracks and specialisations take mandatory courses in Statistics, Simulations, Signal Processing and Theory and Methodology of Science. Also, all students take a Project Carrier course where the theory and practice from the four mandatory courses is applied in projects specific to the chosen track and specialisation. Please note that the Project Carrier course constitutes 50% of the first year, showing that the programme focuses on applying advanced engineering tools in real practice.
The second year of the master's is devoted to elective courses within the track and specialisation and the final degree project. Students are also required to take one course from a list of conditionally elective courses selected by our faculty.
Degree Project
In the final semester, you will complete a degree project. The degree project has a twofold scope. It is used to examine the programme learning outcomes, ensuring that you have acquired all the necessary knowledge to become a professional in Medical Engineering. The degree project should also be considered as the first step to either an academic career or work in the industry. It can therefore be completed at an industrial company, a hospital or an academic institution in Sweden or abroad. Faculty at the Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems department regularly offer opportunities to carry out research projects in their laboratories.
The courses in the programme cover topics such as Medical imaging and image analysis, implants and biomaterials, medical information systems, biomechanics, healthcare logistics, radiation therapy and patient safety.
Year 1
Students without a bachelor's degree in medical technology must read HL1007 Medical Engineering, Basic Course in year 1, and therefore study AK2036 in year 2.
Students in the Physics track with Biomechanics specialisation who want to read the course: Introduction to Biomechanics SE2121, can apply for an exemption from the Advanced Project Carrier (CM2017) course.
Mandatory courses
- Theory and Methodology of Science with Applications (Natural and Technological Science) (AK2036) 7.5 credits
- Signal Processing and Data Analytics in Biomedical Engineering (CM2013) 7.5 credits
- Simulation Methods in Medical Engineering (CM2014) 7.5 credits
- Project Carrier Course for Medical Engineers, part 1 (CM2015) 15 credits
- Project Carrier Course for Medical Engineers, part 2 (CM2016) 9 credits
- Project Carrier Course for Medical Engineers, part 3 (CM2017) 6 credits
- Statistics for Medical Engineering (CM2018) 7.5 credits
Year 2
Computer Science track
Conditionally elective courses
- Deep Learning Methods for Medical Image Analysis: a hands-on course (CM2003) 7.5 credits
- Medical Image Visualisation (CM2006) 6 credits
- Ultrasound (CM2019) 7.5 credits
- Ionising Radiation Imaging (CM2020) 7.5 credits
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CM2021) 7.5 credits
- Safe Medical Devices (HL2014) 7.5 credits
- Technology in Surgery, Anaesthesia, and Intensive Care (HL2016) 6 credits
- 3D Image Reconstruction and Analysis in Medicine (HL2027) 9 credits
- Biomechanics and Neuronics (HL2035) 7.5 credits
- Degree Project in Medical Engineering, Second Cycle (HL205X) 30 credits
- Degree Project in Technology and Health, Second Cycle (HL207X) 30 credits
- Healthcare Logistics-theory (HM102V) 7.5 credits
- Biomechanics of Human Movement (SM2501) 7.5 credits
Recommended courses
- Human Physiology (CM1010) 6 credits
Optional courses
- Advanced Techniques in Physiology (CM2025) 3 credits
- Radiation Physics and Biology (HL2003) 6 credits
- Radiation Therapy (HL2013) 7.5 credits
Electronics track
Conditionally elective courses
- Medical Sensors (CB2380) 7.5 credits
- Ultrasound (CM2019) 7.5 credits
- Ionising Radiation Imaging (CM2020) 7.5 credits
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CM2021) 7.5 credits
- Implants and Biomaterials (HL2005) 6 credits
- Safe Medical Devices (HL2014) 7.5 credits
- Degree Project in Medical Engineering, Second Cycle (HL205X) 30 credits
- Degree Project in Technology and Health, Second Cycle (HL207X) 30 credits
- Mechatronics Basic Course (MF2030) 6 credits
Recommended courses
- Human Physiology (CM1010) 6 credits
Optional courses
- Advanced Techniques in Physiology (CM2025) 3 credits
- Radiation Physics and Biology (HL2003) 6 credits
- Radiation Therapy (HL2013) 7.5 credits
Physics track
Mandatory courses
- Degree Project in Medical Engineering, Second Cycle (HL205X) 30 credits
Conditionally elective courses
- Ultrasound (CM2019) 7.5 credits
- Ionising Radiation Imaging (CM2020) 7.5 credits
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CM2021) 7.5 credits
- Biomechanics and Neuronics (HL2035) 7.5 credits
- Physiology in Extreme Environments (HL2040) 7.5 credits
- Introduction to Biomechanics (SE2121) 9 credits
- Material Mechanics (SE2126) 9 credits
- Biomechanics of Human Movement (SG2804) 7 credits
- Biomechanics of Human Movement (SM2501) 7.5 credits
Recommended courses
- Human Physiology (CM1010) 6 credits
Optional courses
- Radiation Physics and Biology (HL2003) 6 credits
- Radiation Therapy (HL2013) 7.5 credits
- Advanced Physiology (HL2018) 9 credits
The master’s programme in Medical Engineering will give you expertise in the merits and limitations of the technology currently used in clinical and preclinical applications.
You will also acquire the necessary knowledge to improve and develop medical technologies of the future.
KTH Scholarships
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two-year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals
The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals covers the tuition fee for a master's programme and also includes living costs. It is open to students from 33 countries with previous work and leadership experience. You apply directly to SI after completing your application to KTH.
SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM
The SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM covers the tuition fee of a selection of master's programmes at KTH and also includes living costs. It is open to female students from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam. You apply directly to SI after completing your application to KTH.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations, providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
- MESCYT for students from the Dominican Republic
- ANII for students from Uruguay
Scholarship portals
- IEFA database: The IEFA database offers a comprehensive scholarship search, grant listing, and international student loan programmes.
- Studyportals: The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarships and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
- Scholars4dev: Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
- WeMakeScholars: WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also list more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations, and the government. Bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrollment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students, as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.
Healthcare is becoming increasingly dependent on technologically advanced tools, and an ageing population requires technical aids. Economic and demographic changes are demanding structural reforms in society and healthcare. This demand generates the need for professionals with an understanding of both technology and medicine.
The master's programme in Medical Engineering trains your ability to produce and develop medical technology as part of a project group, in private companies or in healthcare. A broad professional role makes it possible to work in areas such as technical development, sales or administrative project management, depending on competence and personal interest.
The labour market mainly consists of small enterprises specialised in specific products, and the expanding field also offers good possibilities to start one's own business. Graduates of the programme have had as their first occupation jobs as diverse as PhD students, engineering consultants or programmers for companies in various technical fields, support engineers, quality control engineers or sale consultant for clinical-related companies. Prominent research centres that hired our former students are ETH, EPFL, UCL, CERN and KI. The list of large companies contains Siemens, Philips, GE, Elekta, Maquet, Johnson & Johnson, SAAB, and Skandia, among others. Examples of small and medium companies consistently hiring the programme's graduates are Elekta, RaySearch, Episurf, HotSwap, Sectra and Tobii. Last but not least, hospitals and public organisations with an interest in healthcare are also typical employers of our former students.