University College London (UCL)

Physics and Engineering in Medicine MSc

Teaching and learning

As a Physics and Engineering in Medicine MSc student, you must choose from one of three programme pathways, depending on your career objectives.

Pathway One: Radiation Physics (IPEM-accredited)

This pathway is the route for students who wish to become a professional medical physicist or clinical scientist/engineer. See Accreditation information above for more details.

In Terms 1 and 2, you’ll study medical imaging (using ionising and non-ionising radiation), essential physics of ionising radiation used in imaging and treatment, proton and radiotherapy, computing (including computer programming), and basic anatomy and physiology. You’ll also be introduced to aspects of medical device design and entrepreneurship through a group project.

Early in the programme, you’ll choose a research project, guided and supervised by two members of research staff.

Typically, your research project will involve the development, implementation and testing of a solution to a real-life healthcare problem. You’ll work closely with university research staff from a specific UCL research group, and present your work through reports and presentations.

Pathways two and three: Non-accredited specialist pathways – Radiation Physics (non-accredited) OR Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging

These pathways are the routes for students who don’t specifically require IPEM accreditation – either because they’ve already identified a different career path, or would like more flexibility in the modules they choose to study.

In Terms 1 and 2, you’ll study medical imaging and a module covering basic anatomy, physiology and electrical safety.

The other compulsory and optional modules you study will depend on your choice of pathway. For example, students on the biomedical engineering and medical imaging pathway will select two optional modules from the list below.

Early in the programme, you’ll choose a research project, guided and supervised by two members of research staff.

Typically, your research project will involve the development, implementation and testing of a solution to a real-life healthcare problem. You’ll work closely with university research staff from a specific UCL research group, and present your work through reports and presentations.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, practicals, assignments and a research project. Lecturers are drawn from UCL and from London teaching hospitals including UCLH, St. Bartholomew's, and the Royal Free Hospital. Assessment is through supervised examination, coursework, the dissertation and an oral examination.

Pathways include:

• IPEM Accredited Radiation Physics (TMSRPHSINA10)
• Radiation Physics (TMSRPHSING10)
• Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging (TMSMPHSBMI10)

Compulsory modules for pathways:

All Pathways:

• Medical Imaging with Ionising Radiation
• Biomedical Ultrasound
• MRI and Biomedical Optics
• Clinical Practice
• Medical Device Enterprise Scenario
• MSc Research Project

IPEM Accredited Radiation Physics pathway:

• Ionising Radiation Physics: Interactions and Dosimetry
• Radiotherapy Physics
• Computing in Medicine

Non-Accredited Radiation Physics pathway:

• Ionising Radiation Physics: Interactions and Dosimetry
• Radiotherapy Physics
• + one optional module

Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging (BEMI) pathway:

• Medical Electronics and Control
• + two optional modules

Full-time students on this course can expect approximately 14-18 contact hours per teaching week. The exact number of contact hours and composition varies throughout the terms depending on the module choices of the student

If you study this course full time, you should expect a working schedule of approximately 35-40 hours a week divided between contact hours, self-directed learning, and preparing for assessments.

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

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) is offered.

Modules

Full-time

As a full-time student, your programme structure comprises the following:

IPEM Accredited Radiation Physics

• Four compulsory modules in Term 1
• Three compulsory modules in Term 2
• MPHY0033 Medical Device Enterprise Scenario taken in Terms 1 and 2
• MPHY0035 Research Project in Terms 1 to 3

Radiation Physics

• Four compulsory modules in Term 1
• Three compulsory modules in Term 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0033 Medical Device Enterprise Scenario is taken in terms 1 and 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0035 Research Project is taken in Terms 1 to 3
• One optional module is taken in either Term 1 or Term 2

Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging

• Two compulsory modules in Term 1
• Three compulsory modules in Term 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0033 Medical Device Enterprise Scenario taken in Terms 1 and 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0035 Research Project in Terms 1 to 3
• Two optional modules taken in either Term 1 or Term 2

Part-time

Below are the recommended module selections for students studying part-time over 2 years:

IPEM Accredited Radiation Physics (part-time)

Year 1

• Two compulsory modules in Term 1
• Two compulsory modules in Term 2

Year 2

• Two compulsory modules in Term 1
• One compulsory module in Term 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0033 Medical Device Enterprise Scenario taken in Terms 1 and 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0035 Research Project in Terms 1 to 3

Radiation Physics (part-time)

Year 1

• Two compulsory modules in Term 1
• Two compulsory modules in Term 2

Year 2

• One compulsory module in Term 1
• One optional module in Term 1
• One compulsory module in Term 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0033 Medical Device Enterprise Scenario taken in Terms 1 and 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0035 Research Project in Terms 1 to 3

Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging (part-time)

Year 1

• One compulsory module in Term 1
• One optional module in Term 1
• Two compulsory modules in Term 2

Year 2

• One compulsory module in Term 1
• One compulsory module in Term 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0033 Medical Device Enterprise Scenario taken in Terms 1 and 2
• Compulsory module MPHY0035 Research Project in Terms 1 to 3
• One optional module in either Term 1 or Term 2

Flexible

The flexible route is designed to suit your needs or available study time.

You would expect to complete your studies in 2-4 years, with a 5th year as a contingency (you must complete your studies within 5 years).

The number of modules studied each year varies depending on student preference. The teaching team will be able to advise you on a suitable study plan.

Compulsory modules

• 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
• Medical Device Enterprise Scenario
• MSc Research Project
• Applications of Biomedical Engineering
• Implanted Human-Machine Interfaces
• MRI-guided Devices
• Robotic Systems Engineering
• Research Software Engineering with Python

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 complete 180 credits (120 taught course credits and 60 credit research project) for the MSc, or 120 credits (120 taught course credits) for the Postgraduate Diploma. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Physics and Engineering in Medicine. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Physics and Engineering in Medicine. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Physics and Engineering in Medicine.

What this course will give you

This degree offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

• Join 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.
• 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, as well as the biomedical engineering facilities at the Royal Free Hospital and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore.
• Learn from and work alongside research staff in a supportive and inclusive research environment, with regular opportunities for networking and professional development.
• Develop your skills alongside renowned academics across UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering. UCL ranks 9th globally (QS World University Rankings 2026).
• Enjoy opportunities to work collaboratively with the NHS, through our partnership with the UCLH NHS Trust, assisting health professionals to find important uses for new technologies.
• UCL’s Bloomsbury campus is in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.

The foundation of your career

As a postgraduate student here at UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, you’ll develop a robust set of valuable, cross-disciplinary skills and knowledge that you’ll be able to deploy in a wide variety of industry and healthcare environments.

Working alongside world-leading scientists, engineers and health professionals, you’ll also learn project management, communication and teamworking skills, making you an asset to any organisation.

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

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 and positions that contribute to emerging technologies such as the use of AI in healthcare.

Your expertise will be relevant in both private and public healthcare. Graduates of this Master’s can go on to technical or strategic roles in hospitals either overseas or here in the UK.

Alternatively, you could explore research and development roles in industry settings, designing and implementing new technologies within multinational medical device companies or med-tech start-ups.

The IPEM Accredited Radiation Physics pathway of the MSc is a recognised part of the NHS Clinical Scientist “Route 2” training. This pathway is for students who wish to become a professional medical physicist or clinical scientist/engineer. Many graduates take this career path after or even during their studies for part-time students.

Networking

You'll find various opportunities to build your network throughout this programme:

• 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 National Orthopaedic Hospital, Royal Free 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.
• 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.
• Benefit from supervision and mentorship from scientists and engineers who collaborate nationally and internationally across clinical, industrial and academic sectors.
• Network with external partners and explore opportunities to showcase your research 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.

Accreditation

The Physics and Engineering in Medicine MSc provides three pathways, depending on your career objectives. This includes an IPEM-accredited pathway: Radiation Physics (IPEM-accredited pathway).

Through the IPEM-accredited radiation physics pathway, this programme provides students with a route to becoming a professional medical physicist or clinical scientist/engineer.

To become a medical physicist or clinical engineer working in a UK hospital, you’ll need:

• extensive training
• vocational experience
• state-registered status.

This requires you to complete an MSc accredited by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). You’ll then need to undertake further vocational training, working under supervision in a hospital medical physics department (or equivalent).
Once these conditions are satisfied, you’ll be eligible to register as a Chartered Scientist or a Chartered Engineer (CSci or CEng).