MSc in Medical Technology, Innovation and Design
Southampton, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 31,600 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international students | £19,000 - UK students
Gain the skills and knowledge to solve the world’s biggest medical challenges with our MSc Medical Technology, Innovation and Design course.
This 1-year interdisciplinary, project-based course brings together students from a variety of backgrounds to design new medical technologies based directly on clinical problems. Collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship are at the core of this course, alongside a strong understanding of global healthcare issues.
You will be based at the University Hospital Southampton and collaborate closely with colleagues at the University Science Park, working alongside the programme team, startups and medical technology entrepreneurs.
If you have a strong interest in healthcare innovation, medical devices, or improving health outcomes globally, this course will provide you with the tools to make a significant impact.
A unique course, enabling you to solve global issues
This Medical Technology, Innovation and Design course was developed in collaboration with our global partners and is the only one of its kind in the UK. It includes 2 placements, one in the UK and the other abroad, providing students with experience in a range of clinical environments. Throughout these placements, students will work with clinical experts, business mentors and entrepreneurs, all while supported by the University of Southampton academic team.
Students will also engage with investors, gaining insights into funding and strategy, while learning the core principles of commercialisation and medical regulation. This ensures they can transform innovative ideas into viable solutions that meet healthcare industry standards.
The course goes beyond conventional learning by embedding principles of responsible innovation throughout its teaching and project work. You will be encouraged to create solutions that:
- are globally applicable, considering diverse clinical and cultural contexts
- minimise environmental impact by designing out waste and considering materials’ lifecycles
- address pressing healthcare needs while promoting equity and reducing inequalities
What you will learn
The course is designed to build your knowledge and skills in several key areas, including:
- identifying and solving healthcare challenges through technology
- designing medical devices and systems that meet clinical and user needs
- embedding principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in your work
- applying responsible innovation practices to develop environmentally and socially sustainable solutions
- understanding the clinical and organisational contexts of healthcare in the UK and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
- developing business strategies to bring healthcare innovations to life
The programme focuses on blending technical and scientific knowledge with clinical awareness and entrepreneurial thinking. By engaging in hands-on projects, you will develop expertise in creating solutions that are not only functional but also considerate of wider social, environmental, and ethical implications.
Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship
A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Medicine.
Find out more about the Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions, on our website.
Medical Technology, Innovation and Design Master’s Scholarship
£3000 is available to international students studying MSc Medical Technology, Innovation and Design.
Find out more about the Medical Technology, Innovation and Design Master’s Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions, on our website.
The Medical Technology, Innovation and Design degree centres on 2 interdisciplinary projects that run simultaneously throughout the year, allowing you to apply your learning directly.
- UK healthcare project: Focuses on challenges within the UK healthcare system.
- Global health project: Addresses healthcare needs in low or middle-income countries (LMIC), where resources and contexts can differ significantly.
Both projects are conducted in small teams of 4 or 5 students and unfold across three distinct phases.
- Phase 1 (October to February): Gain hands-on experience through immersive clinical placements in the UK and LMIC settings. During these placements, you will collaborate with healthcare teams to identify specific clinical problems.
- Phase 2 (February to May): Narrow your focus to the most viable problem from each context. Begin conceptualising innovative, realistic, and sustainable solutions.
- Phase 3 (May to September): Develop your chosen solutions into prototypes or design plans, accompanied by a comprehensive commercialisation strategy.
Alongside these projects, you will take part in 6 course modules providing you with the academic knowledge to succeed in your projects. You will also have the opportunity to complete 2 courses in Lean processes and methodology, receiving formal qualifications upon completion.
The course is structured to combine academic learning with practical application, ensuring you develop a deep understanding of healthcare systems and the challenges they face.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
You must study the following modules:
- Global Healthcare Innovation and Design
- Principles and Practice of Global Healthcare for Medical Innovation
- Principles and practice of UK healthcare for medical innovation
- Responsible Business Development & MedTech Commercialisation
- Responsible Innovation in Health Technology
- UK Healthcare Innovation and Design
The learning outcomes are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:
- Good Health and Wellbeing (Goal 3)
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (Goal 9)
- Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12)
- Partnerships for the Goals (Goal 17)
By the end of the course, you will have developed not only the technical and clinical skills to design medical technologies but also the ethical, cultural, and environmental awareness to make a meaningful impact in healthcare globally.
Learning
Your learning will combine scheduled contact hours, independent study, and project work. Each module will require between 300 and 900 hours of study, depending on the number of credits the module is worth. Contact hours vary by module, and detailed information is available on the course webpages.
Beyond timetabled lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, you’ll engage in independent study. This includes reading journal articles and books, conducting research, working on group or individual projects, and preparing assignments or presentations. These activities are designed to deepen your understanding and enhance your skills.
The course is delivered by a team of experienced academics and industry professionals whose expertise aligns closely with your module content. You may also be taught by postgraduate researchers with specialist knowledge, contributing to seminars, practical classes, and project supervision under the guidance of module leaders.
Assessment
The course offers both formative and summative assessments to support your learning and measure your progress.
Formative assessments are developmental tasks, such as practice assignments or presentations, designed to provide feedback and help you prepare for formal assessments. They do not contribute to your final grade but are a key part of your learning process.
Summative assessments count towards your final module marks and may include written exams, essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, or projects. Some modules also include interim assessments throughout the term. Detailed assessment methods for each module can be found on the course webpages.