Using your subject: Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering graduates pursue careers in med tech, healthcare or research, applying engineering, analytical and clinical skills to develop, manage and improve medical systems

Two people are looking down and smiling at some apparatus

After completing a Biomedical Engineering degree, there are a range of pathways you can explore across healthcare, technology and research.

You might choose to develop medical technologies such as joint replacements or robotic surgical instruments, support patient care by managing clinical equipment within the NHS, or contribute to innovation through research and development (as outlined by Prospects).

Typical roles involve designing and improving medical devices, maintaining and optimising equipment, and working collaboratively with healthcare professionals (as highlighted by Indeed).

Graduates can go on to pursue careers across medical technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and research. The transferable skills developed through the degree also enable progression into wider areas such as the civil service, business, finance and other analytical or technical roles.

Biomedical Engineering is sometimes confused with Biomedical Science. While Biomedical Science focuses on laboratory testing of biological samples (such as blood or tissue) to support diagnosis, Biomedical Engineering focuses on the design, development and maintenance of medical technologies, equipment and systems used in healthcare.

Skills you gain from your subject

As a Biomedical Engineering graduate, you can apply a combination of engineering, scientific and analytical skills across a wide range of roles.

Key skills include:

  • Applying engineering problem-solving to medical and biological challenges 
  • Strong analytical and numerical ability 
  • Understanding of medical technologies and human biology 
  • Data analysis and interpretation 
  • Experience with laboratory techniques and specialist software 
  • Communication and teamwork in multidisciplinary environments 
  • Project management and attention to detail 
  • Awareness of ethical, regulatory and safety considerations in healthcare 
  • Understanding of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)

These skills are highly transferable and can be applied across engineering, healthcare, research, and wider roles requiring strong numerical, analytical and statistical expertise.

Learning that builds employability

Throughout your degree, you will have gained experience through practical learning, laboratory work and project-based activities. These experiences help you apply your knowledge to real-world challenges and prepare for a range of career options.

You may have developed experience in areas such as medical device design, data analysis or working with healthcare-related technologies, all of which can be highlighted when applying for roles or further study.

Career pathways

There are three main areas directly related to Biomedical Engineering:

Industry (medical technology): Working within companies that design and manufacture medical devices and healthcare technologies. This may suit you if you are interested in innovation, product development and working in commercial environments.

Healthcare and clinical engineering: Working within the NHS or other healthcare providers to manage, maintain and improve medical equipment used in patient care. This pathway may appeal if you want to work in a healthcare setting and have a direct impact on patient outcomes.

Research and development: Working within universities, research organisations or industry to develop new technologies and advance knowledge in areas such as biomaterials, diagnostics and rehabilitation technologies. This pathway is often linked to postgraduate study.

Some graduates also move into wider related roles such as regulatory affairs, consultancy, marketing or data-focused positions. Exploring platforms such as Prospects can help you compare these options and understand entry requirements.

When considering your next steps, think about whether you are more interested in designing new technologies, working directly within healthcare environments, contributing to research and innovation, or something different.

Graduate roles

Typical graduate job with titles you may wish to explore include:

Industry (medical technology)

  • Medical Device Engineer 
  • Biomedical Engineer 
  • Field Service Engineer 
  • Quality Assurance or Regulatory Affairs Specialist 

Healthcare and clinical engineering

  • Clinical Engineer 
  • Biomedical Engineer (hospital-based roles) 
  • Rehabilitation Engineer 

Research and development

  • Research and Development Engineer 
  • Biomaterials Engineer 
  • Laboratory Technician 
  • Research Assistant

You can explore detailed role profiles and required qualifications through resources such as Prospects and Indeed.

Further study and professional development

Depending on your chosen career pathway, you may decide to pursue further academic study or professional vocational training to reach your goals.

Clinical Careers in the NHS

Healthcare Science within the NHS offers structured pathways that combine work and study. There are two primary entry levels:

  • Scientist Training Programme (STP): This is the primary route for graduates. It is a highly competitive, three-year paid graduate scheme (starting at Band 6) where you complete a part-time Master’s degree in a clinical specialism, such as Clinical Engineering or Medical Physics. Successful completion leads to registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
  • Practitioner Training Programme (PTP): This is an undergraduate-level route. It involves a specific BSc (Hons) degree in Healthcare Science that includes 50 weeks of integrated workplace training. It qualifies you as a Healthcare Science Practitioner (starting at Band 5).
  • If you have already graduated but did not secure a place on the STP, you can still work toward clinical registration via the Equivalence route through the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) by building a portfolio of your workplace experience.

Industry and Research Specialisms

If your interests lie in design, innovation, or manufacturing, you might consider:

  • Specialist Master's Degrees: Postgraduate study in areas like Bioinformatics, AI in Healthcare, or Medical Imaging can help you pivot into high-growth sectors or research-heavy roles in industry.
  • Professional Registration: Many employers support graduates in gaining professional titles such as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). These are awarded by professional bodies including:
  • The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Ideal for those focusing on medical electronics, medical software, or digital health.
  • PhD Research: For those interested in academia or advanced Research & Development, a PhD allows you to contribute to cutting-edge medical breakthroughs and lead independent research projects.

Work experience, internships and job search

There are many platforms available to support your search for internships and graduate roles locally, across the UK and internationally. This list is a starting point and is not exhaustive. If you need support, speak to your Careers Adviser.

Search job vacancies at:

  • emedcareers: Roles for every pharmaceutical, biotech, medical or healthcare skillset and interest – from medical sales to statisticians, registered nurses to CRAs.
  • Engineering Jobs: Advertise jobs for engineers in all specialisms, whether you're looking for an entry level role, a postgraduate job, or you're an experienced engineer looking for a managerial position.
  • Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM): The professional body for physicists and engineers in medicine, offering niche sector insights and specialised career opportunities.
  • JobShop: The University of Dundee careers job portal, advertising part-time, internship and graduate opportunities both locally in Dundee and across the UK.
  • NHS Jobs: Search and apply for jobs in the NHS

Graduate-specific websites 

  • Glassdoor: Offers a transparent look into company culture, providing job listings alongside employee-submitted salary data and interview reviews. Best for researching company culture.
  • Gradcracker: The UK’s specialist careers website for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) students and graduates. Best for STEM students.
  • Bright Network: A career network connecting students with top-tier employers through networking events, internships, and tailored career advice. Best for networking and elite internships.
  • Indeed: A comprehensive global job platform that pulls millions of listings from across the web into one searchable database.
  • Prospects: The experts in graduate careers, offering a combination of job vacancies and in-depth guides on what you can do with your specific degree.
  • targetjobs: Provides curated graduate roles and internships alongside "it's who you are" career coaching and employer insights.
  • totaljobs: One of the UK’s largest job boards, featuring a massive volume of vacancies across every industry and location.

Further resources

To explore career options and build your understanding of where your degree can take you, the following resources may be useful: