Biomedical Engineering (M.Sc. / P.Grad.Dip.)

Overview

Course Overview

The M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering provides advanced training and education to the next generation of biomedical engineers. The course brings students to exciting new developments in biomedical engineering, ranging from development of new materials for use in therapeutics, designing innovative next generation medical devices, in silico design and modelling, to growing and regenerating new tissues for tissue replacement and in vitro disease modelling.

The Biomedical Engineering programme equips candidates with the education, problem-solving and creative skills, and training necessary to address important clinical needs in industry, research and clinical institutes. Students receive lectures from international experts in biomedical engineering subjects, specifically tailored to the current needs of industry and carry out research in internationally recognised, state-of-the-art research laboratories and facilities.

One of the most unique courses of its kind in Ireland, the M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering has received a number of awards, including Engineers Ireland: Excellence in Education Award (2012) and Best Postgraduate Course of the Year in Engineering (Winner 2012, Runner-up 2016). The course recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025 by gathering founders, alumni and collaborators to mark the milestone.

Is This Course For Me?

The M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin is a postgraduate course designed for students who have a background in engineering or a related discipline and are interested in applying their knowledge and skills to the field of biomedical engineering. This course is suitable for individuals who wish to pursue a career in industry, academic research or further study at PhD level. It may also be of interest to practicing engineers who want to develop their expertise in the field of biomedical engineering.

Overall, the M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering is a rigorous and challenging programme designed for students who are passionate about using their engineering skills to make a positive impact on society.

Career Opportunities

The success and impact of this course are reflected in the strong employability of our highly skilled graduates across the biomedical and healthcare sectors in Ireland and internationally. Graduates of this M.Sc. pursue diverse careers spanning medical devices, tissue engineering, neural engineering, and the pharmaceutical industry. They contribute to the design, development, and manufacture advanced medical technologies, as well as to innovations in biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and neurotechnology.

Our graduates are employed by leading global organisations such as Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Schivo Group, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Viatris, and Lilly. They work in a range of roles including R&D, process development, quality engineering, regulatory affairs, and validation.

Many graduates also go on to pursue further research at Trinity and other leading institutions worldwide, including Stanford and Harvard. Graduates take up roles in clinical, hospital and regulatory environments, including with national regulatory bodies. This breadth of career pathways highlights the programme’s strong foundation in both engineering principles and life sciences, preparing graduates to contribute to cutting-edge advances across multiple areas of biomedical innovation.

Course Structure

The M.Sc. programme is worth 90 ECTS. Candidates take 50 ECTS in taught modules and must complete a research dissertation worth 40 ECTS. A Postgraduate Diploma may be awarded where a student has completed 60 ECTS of taught modules.

Course Content

The M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering offers three distinct streams tailored to the background and previous experience of entrants.

The Medical Device Design specialisation is designed to bring together clinicians, researchers and the medical device industry to produce new solutions for clinical needs. The field of medical device research is a fast-moving area which can offer students a rewarding career in the global medical device market. Students will gain a specific education of the key topics in medical device design process and a knowledge of medical device regulation.

The Neural Engineering specialisation is focused on signal processing of neuroimaging and electrophysiological data to solve specific clinical problems. Modules include: Active Implanted Devices and Systems; Data Science in Neuroimaging; Experimental & Research Methods in Biomedical Engineering; Form and Function of the Nervous System; Neural Engineering; Neural Signal Analysis; and a Research Project.

The Tissue Engineering specialisation provides students with a critical understanding of stem cell biology and its therapeutic applications. Core modules include: Biomaterials; Current Topics in Cell and Tissue Engineering; Experimental & Research Methods in Biomedical Engineering; Laboratory Techniques in Cell and Tissue Engineering; Research Project; Tissue Engineering. Elective modules may include: Allied Health Sciences; Biomechanics; Finite Element Analysis; Medical Device Design Fundamentals; and Advanced Medical Imaging.

For further information on modules/subjects, click here. Modules are subject to change year-to-year.