Biomedical Engineering with Foundation Year

As a biomedical engineer you will combine the study of engineering and biology to bring solutions to the medical and health care industries.

The use of technology is increasingly growing in all areas of our lives. Applying engineering solutions to biomedical problems is contributing to improving our health provision and saving lives.

Biomedical engineers are responsible for developing robots used in surgery, advanced prosthetics, machines for treating patients such as kidney dialysis, diagnostic equipment such as hospital NMR machines and artificial organs to name a few. They may utilise smart technologies and apply them to transmit data from patient treatment results directly to the clinics and hospitals to minimise the need for patients to travel for their health reviews. Emergency situations can also be caught early and prevent a decline in patient health.

Our foundation year option enables you to join the Biomedical Engineering course even if you don’t have the formal qualifications or experience to meet the entry requirements. It equips you with the knowledge to move into formal degree study, setting you up for future success.

Entry requirements are typically 32-122 UCAS points including minimum 5 GCSEs (including Maths, English Language and Science). However students who have typically:

• 32-88 UCAS points at Level 3 and studied at least one of the following; A-level Maths, A-level Physics, A-level Applied Science, A-level Engineering, BTEC Engineering Diploma.
• 88-112 UCAS points at Level 3 and who have not studied; A-level Maths, A-level Physics, A-level Applied Science, A-level Engineering, BTEC Engineering Diploma.
• 32-112 UCAS points at Level 3 in Maths, Science or Engineering and who have not been in full-time/part-time education for many years.

5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above (including Maths, English Language, Science)

• Science can be Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science.

The course will provide you with further Science and Maths knowledge and understanding that underpins Biomedical Engineering and support developing your higher education learning skills in Science and Maths to support your further pursuit of studying Biomedical Engineering.

Biomedical Engineering is one of the fastest growing industries with some of the highest starting salaries. There are many opportunities to practice as a biomedical engineer, for example:

• Designing, implementing and maintaining bio-instruments and bio-equipment to aid diagnose and treat diseases.
• Designing and developing materials for implantation in the human body, which therefore need to be chemically inert, safe, and reliable
• Working with innovators, medics and computing professionals to engineer smart technology gadgets that interface with smart phones to provide alternative medical interventions to support or relieve medical symptoms of a patient
• Designing and developing hygienic surgery aids that enable high precision and timely surgery.

Biomedical Engineers are also sought after by a wide variety of other industries:

• Designing and developing automated mechanical devices for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, and those that require a focus on designing for hygiene, cleaning and sterility
• Manufacturing: because biomedical engineers have strengths in systems integration and knowledge and understanding of multiple fields of engineering
• Legal sector: because biomedical devices are such a high growth area of research and development there is demand for technical reviewing, advising and approval of patents.

Please note that some career paths are subject to further academic study and qualifications may require industrial sponsorship or be dependent on the employer and the economic or sector demand.