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Founded in 1962, the University of Strathclyde is home to one of the oldest biomedical engineering departments in the world. It even has the earliest building dedicated to teaching and research in this field, opened in 1972 by the Wolfson Foundation. While this rich past speaks to its history with biomedical engineering, the department remains one of the best today. In fact, it ranks third in the UK (first in Scotland) in the Complete University Guide 2024 for Medical Technology and Biomedical Engineering for its undergraduate degree. The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 places it sixth in the UK for bioengineering.
State-of-the-art facilities add more appeal to the Department of Biomedical Engineering. All the training and research facilities underwent refurbishments worth over 15.5 million pounds in 2021 and are said to be some of the best in Scotland and Europe. As a student, you will have access to equipment with capabilities in device design and associated modelling, prototyping, materials testing and in-vitro and ex-vivo testing. These renovations also added the first dedicated cell and tissue (wet lab) teaching spaces within a biomedical engineering programme in the world, recognising the diverse range of technology and medical fields that our graduates are employed within.
These facilities will support your research, especially the specialist equipment for testing materials and tissues from the nanoscale up to entire devices. For example, the Medical Device Design, Development and Testing Laboratory has various device design and modelling software systems. This facility is Home Office Licensed for ex-vivo investigations.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering produces commercial solutions and champions innovative research. Source: University of Strathclyde
Its capabilities make it ideal for several commercial collaboration projects, including spinning out many high-profile companies such as Microplate Dx. “By 2025, there could be 10 million deaths from antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and this spinout shows the support of the department to drive innovation that will have a transformative impact on improving lives and clinical outcomes,” says Stuart Hannah, CEO of Microplate Dx Ltd.
This is only one example of how the department produces commercial solutions and champions innovative research by its staff and students. It maintains strong collaborations and links with the industry and health sectors, addressing some of today’s biggest health challenges. Taking on one of the school’s postgraduate programmes will let you be close to or part of this research, working with both academic experts and clinical partners.
Nazanin Marzban completed her MSc in Biomedical Engineering in 2023. Source: University of Strathclyde
“The University of Strathclyde was recommended to me as one of the best places to study Biomedical Engineering. I enjoyed the stimulating and challenging environment, from the engaging lectures on core subjects, through to extensive hands-on experience of project work in the cutting edge research laboratories. Gaining access through my project work to some of Scotland’s (and the world’s) most advanced manufacturing technologies, at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Extreme Performance Optical Coatings testbed (EPOC) was fascinating. The degree programme has opened fantastic opportunities for me – I am so grateful,” said Nazanin Marzban, who completed her MSc in Biomedical Engineering in 2023.
The MRes or MPhil in Biomedical Engineering can be completed in one year, whereas the PhD requires three years. For a postgraduate in biomedical engineering, you can choose from three major research areas. The first is rehabilitation engineering, where both scientific and engineering principles are applied to research on the human body. Within this umbrella are four specialisations: rehabilitation technology, biomechanics, prosthetics and orthotics, and motor control and neuroprosthetics.
Another major research area is cell, tissue and organ engineering, where you might explore cellular interactions with material or chemicals, cell and tissue engineering, hybrid artificial organs, modelling of artificial organs, and microbial decontamination and sterilisation. The last option is medical diagnostic devices and instrumentations.
The University of Strathclyde is one of only two UK universities offering education and training in prosthetics and orthotics. Source: University of Strathclyde
The MRes Biofluid Mechanics features multidisciplinary training in kinematics and dynamics of fluids related to biological systems, medical science, cardiovascular devices, numerical modelling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The focus is on research. There is the option for an MSc in Biofluid Mechanics, but in the MRes, you are better prepared for a career in academia because you will get more time to perform multidisciplinary research.
If you’e ready to consider the global effects of disability within a population and want to make an impact, opt for the MSc Prosthetics and Orthotics. The University of Strathclyde is one of only two UK universities offering education and training in prosthetics and orthotics and the department is home to the only International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) category 1 undergraduate programme in the country. Not only will you visit local clinal centres but you will hear from and interact with industrial and clinical collaborators and experts. Graduates of this programme are set for careers in research, industry or with the NHS.
This MSc is also available as a distance learning programme, using a bespoke virtual learning environment (MyPlace) for all educational resources. Designed for professionals already in prosthetics, orthotics, healthcare, medicine or associated disciplines, this programme lets you study at your own pace and in your home country while working full-time. In fact, the research you conduct in your home country can work towards impacting your local rehabilitation. Commonwealth distance learning scholarships are also available for those wishing to undertake this programme.
Staff are experienced in the field of prosthetics and orthotics, and many have delivered education in low- and middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, India, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Lecturers have served as advisors and external examiners on their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, developing a real understanding of local challenges faced by both students and healthcare practitioners. You will benefit from their experience and insights throughout your programme.
Learn more about the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Biomedical Engineering.
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