Biomedical engineering research degrees

An overview of our postgraduate research in biomedical engineering and entry requirements for PhDs and other research degrees.

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The PhD programme in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Dundee is designed to offer students the chance to work with world leading researchers at the edge of engineering and clinical science, developing solutions for pressing real world need.  The work is highly collaborative, with the majority of projects linking with colleagues in the School of Medicine within Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. Research spans a number of areas spanning technique and instrumentation development through to their applications at the tissue level as well as on patients and patient derived samples.

Biomedical Engineering sits within the School of Science and Engineering, which encompasses Computing, Civil Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering and Physics. Work is highly interdisciplinary and Biomedical Engineers will often find themselves working in collaboration with staff from these disciplines, meaning that students encounter a rich and varied research infrastructure.

The four year programme offers students from a wide range of backgrounds the opportunity to develop their skills in core and advanced biomedical engineering through a tailored training programme encompassing taught courses as well as research rotations as required by each student. Students can try a number of mini-projects before choosing their final research project which will run full time in years 2-4 of the programme. The final PhD projects will be supervised by two members of academic staff.

Biomedical engineers students develop very strong practical, analytical and computational skills, which are highly valued by employers in a wide range of industries, not only in the immediate area of biomedical engineering; graduates should also be qualified to apply for further roles in academia.

Research

This PhD programme will engage you with internationally leading research within biomedical engineering at the University of Dundee. Research focusses on areas such as cancer diagnosis, tissue engineering, MRI, ultrasound, OCT, electrography, instrumentation and light tissue interactions. Much of the work is in collaboration between groups within engineering and medicine, and operates in both basic research labs as well as clinical settings. Your 1st year will involve taught material and research rotations as appropriate to your academic background, before your final research project in years 2-4. 

The 4 year PhD programme in Biomedical Engineering offers the chance to carry out research with our world leading research groups. The programme offers a structured first year graduate school tailored to your learning needs with appropriate courses and research rotations. Years 2-4 will involve a full time research project.

To learn more, please visit our Engineering research pages.

Propose your own PhD topic

If you want to propose your PhD topic, you can use the contact details below to contact a staff member to discuss your proposal.

How to write your best postgraduate research proposal

Entry requirements

For entry to the 4 year PhD programme students should have a degree in an appropriate subject with the equivalent of a UK 2:1 classification. An MSc for an English speaking University would be desirable, but not a requirement. 

English language requirements

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
6.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 6.0

We also accept other English language qualifications

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of certain countries.

Don't meet the English language requirements?

English language programmes

Prepare for university study and benefit from extra English tuition with an English language programme.

Biomedical engineering PhD tuition fees

Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2023/24
Band 1 £4,712
per year of study
N/A
Band 2 - 4 year £8,862
per year of study
£25,305
per year of study
Band 3 - 4 year N/A £29,490
per year of study
2024/25
Band 1 £4,786
per year of study
N/A
Band 2 - 4 year £9,128
per year of study
£26,570
per year of study
Band 3 - 4 year N/A £30,965
per year of study

Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 3% annual increase for Scottish/Rest of UK students and a 5% annual increase for International students).

Part time study, where available, is charged on a pro-rata basis.

Scottish/Rest of UK fee status annual increase

Each year, UKRI sets a recommended fee and stipend level for Scottish/Rest of UK students, which we use as the basis for fees charged to this group.

UKRI usually increases its fee and stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator. 

Therefore, the Scottish/Rest of UK fees detailed in this table for 2025/26 (and beyond) can only be estimated according to the typical increase. 

The fee charged to you may differ, though only slightly, from the figure given.

Apply for a research degree

You can apply for a PhD or other postgraduate research degree using our Direct Application System.

We have three start dates per academic year.

PhD Biomedical Engineering (3 year)

PhD Biomedical Engineering (4 year)

Science & Engineering (non-graduating) (research)

The University of Dundee welcomes applications from disabled students.

Enquiries