Biomedical engineering is a burgeoning field, and for good reason. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, it’s one of the fastest-growing fields today, projected to increase by 7% between 2023 and 2033.
From vaccines to virtual medicine, this field is driving developments that have the potential to change the world. Considering the increasing number of technologies and applications to medical equipment and devices, along with the healthcare and well-being needs of a growing and ageing population – it’s clear that the world requires the services of biomedical engineers.
If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of this dynamic field, pursuing a biomedical engineering degree at these leading APAC institutions can set you on the right path:
Practical training at the School of Biomedical Sciences includes experiencing the daily operation information flow and logistics in the running of a hospital. Source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong‘s (CUHK) BME (Hons) in Biomedical Engineering is ranked 11th globally and #1 in Hong Kong. But the programme doesn’t impress just because of its rankings. Instead, it’s its impact that inspires. Every year, the BME transforms scores of students into the next generation of biomedical engineers who can design innovative medical instruments and sensors, build new imaging and information systems for precision medicine, create biomaterials for regenerative medicine, and develop novel technologies in nanomedicine.
Offered by the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the interdisciplinary programme is a proven launchpad for students aspiring to become experts in clinical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare settings. As CUHK graduates, they stand out for their competence in navigating modern medical trends to treat diseases and finding new, innovative solutions to address global health demands.
What makes CUHK’s BME so effective? Reflecting the department’s motto, “Explore, Innovate, and Care,” the BME includes many applied learning and on-site training opportunities. It’s jointly supported by CUHK’s Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Medicine and coherently organised under BME Department to facilitate student learning on campus and in hospitals – besides having the Prince of Wales Hospital as a teaching hospital, CUHK has its own private teaching hospital (CUHK Medical Centre). Students will learn first-hand how technology can enhance clinical services and patient benefits; just ask Peter Lee, a programme graduate (2017).
“The BME programme in CUHK explores current trends in biomedical technologies and gives broad insights across business, clinical and engineering,” he says. “When I was an undergraduate, I had the chance to get in touch with different perspectives of fundamentals. These helped me find problems in clinical data and enhanced my creativity in innovation applications to solve current clinical needs.”
Practical opportunities extend beyond campus and Hong Kong – embedding students in summer internships locally and/or abroad. But whether it’s gaining exposure in exciting organisations or working with world-class faculty members on campus, all avenues lead to enhanced practical skills and industry readiness – the programme’s multidisciplinary nature equips students for emerging roles in clinical engineering, biomedical research, and related industries. As the programme is accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), you’ll enjoy ample opportunities for industrial and academic placements as well.
Students from all levels are welcome to apply to the Department of Biomedical Engineering today for undergraduate, MSc, MPhil, and PhD programmes.
There is high demand for biomedical scientists in Europe and the US, and growth is expected in New Zealand. Source: The University of Auckland
The University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s highest-ranked university, holding the 65th position globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. Here, research, academics and students are making significant strides in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to healthcare disparities.
Its Department of Engineering Science offers a quality biomedical engineering education accredited by Engineering NZ; this means your qualification will be recognised in many countries. Much of the biomedical engineering landscape – especially within New Zealand – currently remains uncharted. Opportunities therefore exist for exploration and innovation.
Taught as an undergraduate specialisation, Biomedical Engineering encompasses medical imaging, biochemical and mechanical measurements, electronics, high-performance computational engineering, testing, and more. You’ll learn to create and refine models, therapies, and devices, as well as work to analyse biological functions, their treatment, and their repair. Those looking for more advanced, research-based work can opt for the Master of Engineering in Bioengineering, working alongside a large team comprising postdoctoral researchers and students in a collaborative environment. Interested in taking it even further? The department also offers a doctoral programme for those keen on contributing new knowledge to this field.
Regardless of programme level, you will be immersed in a multidisciplinary environment with huge potential. A biomedical engineering degree here will also allow you to gain access to experts and equipment at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. This means hands-on learning at its finest, ensuring students receive the knowledge and techniques needed for a fruitful career upon graduation. With the university’s 94% employability rate, students are sought after by top organisations within the medical and healthcare sectors and biotechnology industries worldwide.
Biomedical engineering students here can pursue a fusion of engineering, science and medicine subjects. Source: The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne
The School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Melbourne has 85 research groups across three departments with a common objective: to advance human health in Australia and beyond. Here, researchers with expertise in infection and immunity, neuroscience, metabolic health, and development and differentiation work together with you to cover themes like cell signalling, biomedical neuroscience, scholarship of teaching and learning, and many more.
Here, you will learn practically through research and theoretically through classroom lessons, exploring everything from cardiovascular and central nervous systems to neuropathology and haematology. No matter which one of the 14 areas of specialisation you choose, you will surely receive the knowledge and techniques needed for a fruitful career. Pathways include Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering Systems, Biotechnology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics, Human Nutrition, Human Structure and Function, Immunology, Infection and Immunity, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Physiology.
Lessons await beyond campus, too. The School of Biomedical Sciences is at the heart of a global hub of world-leading research institutes and health services. But if you would like to take a break from work, there are libraries, museums, and galleries around Parkville — where the campus is located. From the Ian Potter Museum of Art to the new Science Gallery Melbourne, Australia’s rich culture and history remain just minutes away.
The university has developed a curriculum that combines both engineering and life science with entrepreneurship. Source: Nanyang Technological University Singapore
Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU)
Nestled within vibrant Singapore, Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) is a research-intensive public university, home to 35,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Ranked 15th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, the university is home to those seeking cutting-edge digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.
The university offers a four-year Bachelor of Engineering in Bioengineering for those eager to combine engineering and life science with entrepreneurship. Students are introduced to regulatory affairs as early as the first year – this exposes them to commercialisation processes and hospital visits, allowing them to interact with licensed clinicians and understand medical device implementations and patient care.
The BIE blends modern biological principles with advanced engineering methods in electronics, materials, mechanics, biocomputing and informatics. It trains students to become high-impact engineers in the biomedical and biotechnology industries and healthcare and clinical services. As a student here, you’ll learn from recognised authorities in their respective fields and gain exposure to this cutting-edge ecosystem, fast-tracking your career in the new era of bioengineering industries.
Want to specialise? Opt for the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering. This postgraduate coursework-based programme provides graduate students and working adults with conversion or training courses to enter the biomedical engineering sector. You will gain the analytical skills and biomedical knowledge necessary to tackle healthcare challenges and prepare for careers in manufacturing industries, research and development, or related roles through chemical and biomedical innovation.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
