Biomedical Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng MEng
2026-27 entryA technology driven subject with a focus on enhancing human health and wellbeing, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of core engineering principles applied to the human body and biological systems. Alongside a core biomedical engineering degree course, there is also the option to experience a year in industry.
Key details
- A Levels BBB; BBC
Other entry requirements - UCAS code H160
- 5 years / Full-time
- September start
- Accredited
- Find out the course fee
- FY Foundation year
- View 2025-26 entry
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
We are ranked number one in the Russell Group for teaching on my course in the subject of bioengineering, medical, and biomedical engineering - according to the National Student Survey (NSS) 2024.
Access cutting-edge, state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance your learning and research. You’ll work in specialised biomedical spaces, including the Bio Mammalian and Bio Bacteria labs, as well as advanced areas like the Microfabrication room, Electronics Cleanroom, and the Pilot Plant in The Diamond building.
Ranked in the top 5 for bioengineering and biomedical engineering (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025). We are also proud to be one of the longest-running biomedical engineering departments in the country, with a strong legacy of excellence in the field.
From your second year you can choose between four specialisms: Biomedical Engineering, Medical Devices and Systems, Biomaterials Science and Tissue Engineering, or Biomanufacturing. This flexibility allows you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals, equipping you with expertise in a specific area and broadening your career prospects in the diverse field of biomedical engineering.
Join teams of students to solve engineering problems in developing countries – pushing you to develop you as a professional engineer and enhancing your career prospects.
Be at the forefront of the rapidly growing medical technology sector, developing your skills and knowledge to create innovative solutions that can save and improve lives.
This well-established course helps you build a strong foundation in engineering principles while equipping you with the skills to design, innovate, and improve medical technologies. You’ll gain hands-on experience and knowledge that will empower you to make a real impact through advanced biomedical solutions.
Our expert academic team, composed of industry experts, clinicians and academics, has been teaching biomedical engineering at Sheffield for over a decade. They will show you how both traditional and contemporary engineering principles can be applied to transform healthcare, integrating diverse engineering disciplines to develop innovative solutions that improve health and quality of life.
The BEng offers unparalleled flexibility to allow you to tailor your course to your interests.
By choosing to take an MEng, you’ll be taking a longer period of study with an integrated masters. This extra year allows you to enhance your technical expertise while developing crucial management skills, making you more competitive and better prepared for your future career.
Your first year gives an introduction to bioengineering, at the end of which you’ll begin to broadly tailor the course towards a specialism, by choosing one of the following four specialisms for the rest of the course:
- Biomedical engineering: use engineering principles to help safeguard and enhance human health.
- Medical devices and systems: develop novel devices and improve clinical engineering systems.
- Biomaterials science and tissue engineering: apply materials engineering and cell biology principles to repair damaged body tissues and organs.
- Biomanufacturing: apply chemical engineering and cell biology principles to the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and other biologically active substances.
In your third year you’ll undertake an individual project, where you’ll collaborate closely with an academic expert in your chosen specialism. This project allows you to apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world challenge, exploring your area of interest in depth. It also provides valuable experience that enhances your employability and prepares you for your future career.
Accredited by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Modules
After successfully completing the foundation year modules, you can start your main degree.
UCAS code: H160
Years: 2024, 2025
Semester 1 Core Modules:
- Advanced Level Chemistry
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The unit covers a selection of the major concepts from areas of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry in order to develop a sound basic knowledge of chemistry corresponding to the common core A level curriculum as preparation for successful studies in the Material Sciences and Chemical Engineering.
20 credits
Full Academic Year Core Modules:
- Introduction to Engineering
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This module will introduce the application of engineering principles to foundation year students and give the student an appreciation of the breadth of engineering activities across the faculty and identify to students what knowledge areas and skills are needed in order to contribute to their development and be successful. It will also help create links with departments and draw on the other modules that students will take in the foundation year especially maths and physics.
40 credits - Elements of Physics
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PHY010 provides students with the elements of Physics required to enter the first year of an engineering course where some knowledge of Physics is needed.
20 credits
Understanding will be developed by taking a sub- set of the lectures of the more comprehensive module PHY009, namely those covering Dynamics/Mechanics; Electricity and Magnetism (autumn semester); and Oscillations, Waves, and Optics; Properties of Matter (spring semester). These will be delivered in the first 2/3rds of either semester. Problem solving and example classes are integrated into lectures.
As PHY008 teachings no practical Physics, this module is complemented by laboratory components of the 40 credit foundation year module (FCE001).
Optional Modules
- Core Foundation Mathematics
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The syllabus for MPS002 covers the common core A Level curriculum. The unit is tailored for students who have been away from mathematics for a period of time, but who will have gained some A-Level or similar qualifications. The unit covers the basic principles of algebra, geometry and calculus. Following the introduction of new material in the lectures, students have the opportunity of extensive problem solving, both in the tutorial sessions with the lecturers and in their own time.
40 credits - Foundation Core and Enhanced Mathematics
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This module builds on the common core curriculum from A level maths (which is a prerequisite). This unit covers enhanced comprehension of topics in pure maths, statistics, probability, and numerical methods. These topics are chosen to further prepare students for their undergraduate studies in the science and engineering faculties.
40 credits
After successfully completing the foundation year, you can start your BEng or MEng degree.
Explore bioengineering courses
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn and be taught through:
- lectures
- tutorials
- practical activities
- coursework assignments (including oral, video and poster presentations)
- online resources
Assessment
Students are assessed via a mix of the following:
- examinations
- coursework assignments
- lab work
- online tests
- reports
- group projects
- presentations
Programme specification
This tells you the aims and learning outcomes of this course and how these will be achieved and assessed.
Entry requirements
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
BBB; BBC
BBB (any A Level); BBC including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology
- International Baccalaureate
- 32; 31, with Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology at Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 7
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in Engineering or Applied Science (including Biomedical Science, Analytical & Forensic Science and Physical Science streams) + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A
- BTEC Diploma
- DD in Engineering or Applied Science + A at A Level (no STEM at A Level) + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + B in an A Level science subject (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology) + GCSE Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + C in A Level Maths + GCSE Science grade 6/B
- T Level
- Distinction in the relevant T Level, including grade B in the core component + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A
- Scottish Highers
- AABBB (any subjects); ABBBB, including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + BB (any A Level subjects); B + BC in Maths and either Physics, Chemistry or Biology
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 at Distinction (to include 12 Maths units) and 21 at Merit + GCSE Maths grade 7/A
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If you are studying both Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology at A Level (or equivalent), there are no additional GCSE requirements. If studying any other subject combination, we require GCSE Science grade 6/B (or 65 in GCSE Double Award Science) and Maths grade 7/A
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Relevant T Level subjects include: Maintenance, Installation & Repair for Engineering & Manufacturing; Manufacturing, Processing & Control; or Design & Development for Engineering & Manufacturing
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Graduate careers
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
Our graduates are highly sought after in medical device companies, research institutions, and healthcare organisations. They design medical instruments, repair tissue, and tackle clinical challenges through innovative research, improving patient care and advancing healthcare.
By collaborating with materials scientists, physicians, dentists, therapists, and technologists, they play a key role in enhancing human health.
A degree in biomedical engineering equips you with essential skills such as problem-solving, research, communication, and teamwork. Through hands-on experience and real-world project opportunities, you will gain expertise in cutting-edge technologies while developing the ability to design medical innovations, drive technological advancements, and excel in interdisciplinary careers.
Our graduates work with leading organisations like AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, JRI Orthopaedics, DePuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson, the NHS and Abbot Diabetes Care, advancing research in areas such as medical devices, orthopaedic implants and pharmaceuticals.
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
The National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 ranks us first in the Russell Group for teaching on my course, student voice, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback and academic support.
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
The Guardian University Guide 2025
Like the industry, biomedical engineering at Sheffield is interdisciplinary. You'll be taught by experts in materials, mechanical, control, electrical, chemical and biological engineering, computer science, medicine and biology.
From 3D printing and biophotonics, to tissue and bone engineering, we're helping to develop products that improve medical care and quality of life. Our research-led teaching produces multi-skilled graduates who can carry on that work.
You will develop the knowledge and skills employers are looking for by working closely with partners in the healthcare profession and in industry such as Philips, Johnson and Johnson and the NHS.
Learning and teaching takes place in one of the best biomedical engineering teaching spaces in the UK. The Diamond has industry-standard equipment for culturing and analysing cells, measuring the activity of the human body, mechanical and electrical testing of materials, 3D printing and customised software packages for developing biomedical engineering models.
University rankings
Number one in the Russell Group
National Student Survey 2024 (based on aggregate responses)
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 University Awards
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers report
A top-100 university: 12th in the UK and 98th in the world
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Apply
Contact us
- Telephone
- +44 114 222 7870
- sefy@sheffield.ac.uk
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.