University College London (UCL)

Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering MRes

Teaching and learning

The MRes comprises four taught modules and a research project component. Your time will be split between formal lectures, seminars, laboratories, workshop sessions and independent or group project work.

You’ll be assessed through a series of methods, including exams, coursework, group work, lab sessions and a research project (worth 120 credits).

Each module typically consists of around 36-40 hours of lectures and problem classes over a 10-week term. This equates to around 10 contact hours a week. On top of your timetabled hours, you’ll spend time outside of class reviewing the material and completing coursework. In total, you’ll need to spend approximately 35-40 hours a week on your studies as a full-time student.

You are expected to allocate a significant amount of that time to their research project (an average of up to 16 hours per week for the MRes full-time students). The time allocation to the research project will need to be adjusted between Terms 1 and 2, and the summer term (following the exams), where the expectation is for the students to work exclusively on their research projects.

If you’re studying part-time, you can calculate this study commitment on a pro-rata basis.

Lectures are timetabled between 9 am and 6 pm, apart from Wednesday afternoon when there aren’t any lectures.

Modules

Full-time

As a full-time student on this programme, in addition to the compulsory research module, you’ll select three of the optional modules listed below. You’ll also get to choose a fourth postgraduate module from any other department in the UCL Engineering faculty – it's recommended that you choose a module that will assist you in your research project.

Part-time

As a part-time student, we recommend that you undertake the four optional modules in your first year and then complete the research project module in the second year.

Compulsory modules

• MRes Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Research Project

Optional modules

• Physiological Monitoring
• Medical Imaging with Ionising Radiation
• Biomedical Ultrasound
• MRI and Biomedical Optics
• Computing in Medicine
• Materials for Orthopaedic Medical Devices
• Computer-Assisted Surgery and Therapy
• Clinical Practice
• Radiotherapy Physics
• Medical Electronics and Control
• Programming Foundations for Medical Image Analysis
• Ionising Radiation Physics: Interactions and Dosimetry
• Applications of Biomedical Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence for Surgery and Intervention
• Medical Robotics and Devices
• Surgical Data Science
• Applied AI in Medical Imaging
• MRI-guided Devices
• Robotic Systems Engineering

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MRes in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering.

What this course will give you

This degree offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

• Shape your studies to match your research project and interests.
• Access world-class facilities, fully equipped for radiotherapy, proton therapy, magnetic resonance imaging, optics, acoustics, x-ray imaging, electrical implant development and robotic surgery interventions.
• Hone your research skills alongside renowned academics across UCL’s Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering. UCL ranks 9th globally (QS World University Rankings 2025).
• Get a detailed insight into the latest research taking place globally in this field.
• Be part of a world-leading hub for interdisciplinary research and collaborations between computer scientists, physicists, mechanical engineers, biomedical scientists and medical practitioners across UCL and its affiliated teaching hospitals.
• Study in the world's best city for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2024). UCL’s Bloomsbury campus is in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.

The foundation of your career

By the end of this Master’s, you’ll be well placed to pursue diverse careers and opportunities – from doctoral research to roles in industry, including MedTech companies, and positions that contribute to emerging technologies such as the use of AI and machine learning in healthcare.

Graduates from our Department have obtained employment with a wide range of employers and sectors, such as financial technology, medtech industries, hospitals, clinical settings and academia.

Find out more on our Meet our Alumni page.

Employability

This MRes is an excellent starting point for further doctoral studies and a research career, as you’ll be learning from world-leading UCL researchers at the forefront of healthcare innovations.

Should you pursue further doctoral studies with the department, you’ll also get opportunities to work closely with the NHS through our partnership with the UCLH NHS Trust and other affiliated hospitals, assisting health professionals to find important uses for new technologies.

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your MRes.

• Benefit from our national and international collaborations across the clinical, industrial and academic sectors. We have close links with many London hospitals, including University College London Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital, Royal Free Hospital, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital, and Whittington Hospital. We also work with organisations like the National Physical Laboratory, the Institute of Nuclear Medicine, and the Institute of Neurology. A wide range of MedTech companies have spun out of departmental research.
• Absorb valuable career advice and receive mentoring from scientists and engineers who collaborate nationally and internationally across clinical, industrial and academic sectors.
• Get involved in our wider network of charities, research councils and international organisations, and support partner projects like our recent infant optical brain imaging work in Africa.
• Network with external partners and potentially showcase your output at international conferences, private industry events and clinical centres to potential employers.
• Build your networks further (and socialise) through clubs and societies at UCL, such as the UCL MedTech Society.