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Masters in Biomedical Engineering

ME (NFQ Level 9)
Internships Available

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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There are currently 250 medical technology companies in Ireland, exporting €12.6 billion worth of product annually and employing 38,000 people – the highest number of people working in the industry in any country in Europe, per head of population.

Biomedical Engineering involves the application of engineering principles to healthcare and medicine. It is an interdisciplinary field, requiring knowledge of both living systems and engineering.  

When studying on this programme, you will work with staff and researchers at UCD who have extensive experience in ground-breaking biomedical engineering research. You will also develop a knowledge of how the medical device industry is regulated and how new products are introduced to the market, drawing from experience within UCD which includes pioneering companies.

For more information visit www.ucd.ie/biomedicalengineering/

Module Information:

Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

About This Course

  • Ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning
  • Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the clinical and engineering communities and with society at large
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning Biomedical Engineering
  • Design and conduct experiments and to apply a range of standard and specialised research (or equivalent) tools and techniques of enquiry
  • Identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems, specifically problems related to physiological and medical/healthcare systems
  • Perform detailed design of a novel system, component or process using analysis and interpretation of relevant data, including data from living systems
  • Understanding the need for high ethical standards in the practice of Biomedical Engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people

The Irish Medtech Sector is robust and career opportunities upon graduation from this programme are exemplary. Exports of medical devices and diagnostics products now represent 8% of Ireland’s total merchandise exports and growth prospects for the industry globally remain good. Many of the world’s top medical technology companies have invested significantly in Ireland and a number of exciting, research-based, indigenous companies are emerging and competing internationally.

The Irish Government has identified the medical technology sector as one of the key drivers of industrial growth for the future and provides a wide range of supports to encourage and foster this growth. The medical technology industry in Ireland is changing from being predominantly manufacturing to being more complex and driven by R&D. Prospective employers include Abbott, Bio-Medical Research (BMR), Boston Scientific, De Puy, ResMed, Shimmer and Stryker.

The Professional Work Experience (PWE) module is incorporated into the two-year Masters of Engineering Programme and is designed to integrate a student’s academic and career interests with practical work experience for a 6-8 month period. 



The module provides students with the perfect opportunity to gain increased experience and understanding of their chosen field, assess where their strengths and weaknesses lie and maximise their knowledge of the available career possibilities. The practical skills acquired during this placement will give graduates a competitive advantage when applying for positions upon graduation.


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
EEEN40660 Experimental Design and Statistics for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
MEEN40600 Medical Device Design Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
MEEN40620 Biomechanics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
MEEN40630 Biomaterials Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
CORE - PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students must select ONE of the following CORE MODULES relating to Professional Work Experience.
EEEN40170 ME Biomed Prof. Work Exp. Long 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  30
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
CORE - PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students must select ONE of the following CORE MODULES relating to Professional Work Experience.
EEEN40160 ME Biomed Prof Work Exp Short Summer  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete ONE Option Module (total of 5 credits) in the Spring Trimester.
COMP40400 Bioinformatics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete ONE Option Module (total of 5 credits) in the Spring Trimester.
EEEN30030 Electromagnetic Waves Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete ONE Option Module (total of 5 credits) in the Spring Trimester.
EEEN30050 Signal Processing: Theory and Applications Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete ONE Option Module (total of 5 credits) in the Spring Trimester.
EEEN30120 Analogue Electronics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete ONE Option Module (total of 5 credits) in the Spring Trimester.
MEEN30010 Applied Dynamics II Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete ONE Option Module (total of 5 credits) in the Spring Trimester.
MEEN30020 Mechanics of Solids II Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete ONE Option Module (total of 5 credits) in the Spring Trimester.
MEEN40670 Technical Communication Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME CORE (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 1 (Year 1), ALL Students must take the following REQUIRED Module(s) (unless previously taken or an equivalent module such as EEEN30050 previously taken).
ANAT20090 Med. Sciences for Biomed.Engin Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME CORE (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 1 (Year 1), ALL Students must take the following REQUIRED Module(s) (unless previously taken or an equivalent module such as EEEN30050 previously taken).
EEEN30160 Biomedical Signal Processing Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
CORES WITH SHORT PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE ONLY: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete THREE Recommended CORE Modules (total of 15 credits) in the Spring Trimester. Any of these recommended modules may be substituted by a Level 4 MEEN or Level 4 EEEN Module from the list of Spring Options.
EEEN40070 Neural Engineering Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
CORES WITH SHORT PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE ONLY: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete THREE Recommended CORE Modules (total of 15 credits) in the Spring Trimester. Any of these recommended modules may be substituted by a Level 4 MEEN or Level 4 EEEN Module from the list of Spring Options.
EEEN40350 Rehabilitation Engineering Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
CORES WITH SHORT PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE ONLY: In Stage 1 (Year 1), students who are taking EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select and complete THREE Recommended CORE Modules (total of 15 credits) in the Spring Trimester. Any of these recommended modules may be substituted by a Level 4 MEEN or Level 4 EEEN Module from the list of Spring Options.
MEEN41410 Tissue Engineering Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Autumn OPTION MODULES:Students must select modules from this list of Options to make up a total of 30 credits for the Autumn Trimester (unless they must take both options listed in Rule under the separate REQUIRED Module(s) Option)
EEEN40010 Control Theory Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Autumn OPTION MODULES:Students must select modules from this list of Options to make up a total of 30 credits for the Autumn Trimester (unless they must take both options listed in Rule under the separate REQUIRED Module(s) Option)
EEEN40580 Optimisation Techniques for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Autumn OPTION MODULES:Students must select modules from this list of Options to make up a total of 30 credits for the Autumn Trimester (unless they must take both options listed in Rule under the separate REQUIRED Module(s) Option)
MEEN30030 Mechanical Engineering Design II Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Autumn OPTION MODULES:Students must select modules from this list of Options to make up a total of 30 credits for the Autumn Trimester (unless they must take both options listed in Rule under the separate REQUIRED Module(s) Option)
MEEN40020 Mechanics of Fluids II Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Autumn OPTION MODULES:Students must select modules from this list of Options to make up a total of 30 credits for the Autumn Trimester (unless they must take both options listed in Rule under the separate REQUIRED Module(s) Option)
MEEN40030 Manufacturing Engineering II Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Autumn OPTION MODULES:Students must select modules from this list of Options to make up a total of 30 credits for the Autumn Trimester (unless they must take both options listed in Rule under the separate REQUIRED Module(s) Option)
PHYC40940 Bio-inspired technologies Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Autumn OPTION MODULES:Students must select modules from this list of Options to make up a total of 30 credits for the Autumn Trimester (unless they must take both options listed in Rule under the separate REQUIRED Module(s) Option)
PHYS30290 Cardiovascular Physiology for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
EEEN40220 ME Biomed Project 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  20
Stage 2 Core Modules
EEEN40730 Biosensors & Actuators Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
EEEN40750 Research and Professional Skills for Biomedical Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
SPRING CORE WITH SHORT PWE ONLY: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students who took EEEN40160 (PWE Short) must select the following CORE Module.
MEEN41160 Musculoskeletal Biomechanics and Mechanobiology Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
CHEN40790 Bio-material Interactions Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
COMP41670 Software Engineering Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
EEEN40010 Control Theory Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
EEEN40130 Advanced Signal Processing Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
EEEN40580 Optimisation Techniques for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
EEEN40720 Machine Learning for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
MEEN40020 Mechanics of Fluids II Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
MEEN40030 Manufacturing Engineering II Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
MEEN40060 Fracture Mechanics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
MEEN40080 Technical Ceramics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
MEEN40160 Materials Thermodynamics and Kinetics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
MEEN40170 Mechanics of Solids III Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
PHYC40940 Bio-inspired technologies Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2), students should select three OPTION Modules in the Autumn Trimester to give a balanced workload of 30 credits.
PHYS30290 Cardiovascular Physiology for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS ( LONG PWE) #1: In Stage 2 (Year 2) Students who took EEEN40170 (PWE Long) in Stage 1 take a total of THREE OPTIONS (15 Credits). Students taking EEEN40170 (PWE Long) must select a minimum of TWO Biomedical OPTION Modules (Max THREE). Students MUST take EEEN30180 Bioinstumentation (if not previously taken). Students can select the remaining 5-credits from the Option Modules listed under Spring Options (Long PWE #2).
EEEN30180 Bioinstrumentation Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS ( LONG PWE) #1: In Stage 2 (Year 2) Students who took EEEN40170 (PWE Long) in Stage 1 take a total of THREE OPTIONS (15 Credits). Students taking EEEN40170 (PWE Long) must select a minimum of TWO Biomedical OPTION Modules (Max THREE). Students MUST take EEEN30180 Bioinstumentation (if not previously taken). Students can select the remaining 5-credits from the Option Modules listed under Spring Options (Long PWE #2).
EEEN40070 Neural Engineering Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS ( LONG PWE) #1: In Stage 2 (Year 2) Students who took EEEN40170 (PWE Long) in Stage 1 take a total of THREE OPTIONS (15 Credits). Students taking EEEN40170 (PWE Long) must select a minimum of TWO Biomedical OPTION Modules (Max THREE). Students MUST take EEEN30180 Bioinstumentation (if not previously taken). Students can select the remaining 5-credits from the Option Modules listed under Spring Options (Long PWE #2).
EEEN40350 Rehabilitation Engineering Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS ( LONG PWE) #1: In Stage 2 (Year 2) Students who took EEEN40170 (PWE Long) in Stage 1 take a total of THREE OPTIONS (15 Credits). Students taking EEEN40170 (PWE Long) must select a minimum of TWO Biomedical OPTION Modules (Max THREE). Students MUST take EEEN30180 Bioinstumentation (if not previously taken). Students can select the remaining 5-credits from the Option Modules listed under Spring Options (Long PWE #2).
MEEN41160 Musculoskeletal Biomechanics and Mechanobiology Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - D) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (LONG PWE) #2: Students who took EEEN40170 (PWE Long) in Stage 1 may select ONE OPTION from the list below to make up their Stage 2 (Year 2) Spring Trimester OPTION Credit Requirement (15 Credits).
COMP40400 Bioinformatics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - D) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (LONG PWE) #2: Students who took EEEN40170 (PWE Long) in Stage 1 may select ONE OPTION from the list below to make up their Stage 2 (Year 2) Spring Trimester OPTION Credit Requirement (15 Credits).
MEEN30010 Applied Dynamics II Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - D) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (LONG PWE) #2: Students who took EEEN40170 (PWE Long) in Stage 1 may select ONE OPTION from the list below to make up their Stage 2 (Year 2) Spring Trimester OPTION Credit Requirement (15 Credits).
MEEN41410 Tissue Engineering Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - E) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (SHORT PWE): Stage 2 (Year 2) Options NOTE: Students who took EEEN40160 (PWE Short) in Stage 1 take a total of TWO OPTIONS (10 Credits).
COMP40400 Bioinformatics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - E) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (SHORT PWE): Stage 2 (Year 2) Options NOTE: Students who took EEEN40160 (PWE Short) in Stage 1 take a total of TWO OPTIONS (10 Credits).
EEEN30030 Electromagnetic Waves Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - E) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (SHORT PWE): Stage 2 (Year 2) Options NOTE: Students who took EEEN40160 (PWE Short) in Stage 1 take a total of TWO OPTIONS (10 Credits).
EEEN30050 Signal Processing: Theory and Applications Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - E) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (SHORT PWE): Stage 2 (Year 2) Options NOTE: Students who took EEEN40160 (PWE Short) in Stage 1 take a total of TWO OPTIONS (10 Credits).
EEEN30120 Analogue Electronics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - E) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (SHORT PWE): Stage 2 (Year 2) Options NOTE: Students who took EEEN40160 (PWE Short) in Stage 1 take a total of TWO OPTIONS (10 Credits).
EEEN30180 Bioinstrumentation Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - E) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (SHORT PWE): Stage 2 (Year 2) Options NOTE: Students who took EEEN40160 (PWE Short) in Stage 1 take a total of TWO OPTIONS (10 Credits).
MEEN30010 Applied Dynamics II Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - E) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS (SHORT PWE): Stage 2 (Year 2) Options NOTE: Students who took EEEN40160 (PWE Short) in Stage 1 take a total of TWO OPTIONS (10 Credits).
MEEN41410 Tissue Engineering Spring  5

This ME programme is professionally accredited by Engineers Ireland and recognised by the Washington Accord for Chartered Engineer status.


Graduate Profile - Dhanashree Gokhale, Health Products Regulatory Authority

"After completing my BE in electronic engineering, I was keen to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. I chose UCD due to the quality of research done in this field and the structure of the ME Biomedical engineering programme. While allowing students to pick from a wide range of subjects from the schools of engineering, science and medicine the course also focuses on improving professional skills with the inclusion of the work experience internship, which was truly beneficial. UCD’s emphasis on research plays a key role in ensuring that students are exposed to a high standard of learning and have experienced staff to guide them throughout the course and with options thereafter. Since completing my course, I have been working with the Health Products Regulatory Authority of Ireland as a scientific officer in the medical devices department. While the coursework at UCD including the projects undertaken as part of the ME programme contribute towards my role as a scientific officer, the network of UCD alumni and staff continue to provide support and guidance wherever and whenever needed."

Masters in Biomedical Engineering (T160) Full Time
EU          Year 1 - € 9530
nonEU    Year 1 - € 29100
EU          Year 2 - € 9050 aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 29100 aa

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change

Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/

  • An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours  or international equivalence in a Mechanical, Electronic, Electrical, Mechatronic, Bioengineering or Biomedical Engineering programme is required.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Masters in Biomedical Engineering:

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T160
Masters in Biomedical Engineering
Master of Engineering

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
* you can change options at the top of the page