Biomedical engineering is making headlines, and for good reason. It’s one of the fastest-growing fields today, with a 7% increase in recent years (US Bureau of Labor, 2023). From vaccines to virtual medicine, this field is driving developments that have the potential to change the world.
Innovations are happening daily. One example is the first entirely anatomical replacement for the meniscus of the knee, the two C-shaped pieces of cartilage that act like a cushion between the shinbone and the thighbone, currently in development at the pre-clinical stage.
Another breakthrough is a wearable device that adheres to the skin, absorbing and analysing tiny solid particles (biomarkers) secreted through the skin. Developed in Singapore, this stretchable sensor can efficiently monitor athletes’ lactate levels and also adapted to aid in the early detection of health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
These inventions show that biomedical engineering is transforming healthcare, creating solutions that were once unimaginable. From wearable tech to advanced brain stimulation devices, the future of medicine is being reshaped. If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of this dynamic field, pursuing a postgraduate degree at these leading institutions can set you on the right path:
National University of Singapore
In recent years, the need for healthcare innovation has skyrocketed, driven by the challenges of an ageing society and rapid technological advances. Biomedical engineers are stepping up to meet this demand, and there’s no better place to study this exciting field than Singapore. Known as Asia’s premier biomedical and technology hub, Singapore offers a vibrant, multicultural environment ideal for living and learning.
At the heart of this innovation is the National University of Singapore (NUS), the country’s most established university with a history of over 115 years. NUS is Asia’s top university and ranks eighth globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Its Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), established in 2002, is where students benefit from a diverse faculty that fuses expertise from engineering, life sciences, and medicine. They are some of the best minds in this field, with many holding joint appointments at prestigious institutions.
BME focuses on critical areas such as biomaterials, biomechanics, and bionanotechnology, driving advancements in Tissue Engineering, Medical Imaging, and Medical Devices. Last year, the department secured over 4.5 million Singaporean dollars in research funding, enabling projects like Associate Professor Shao Huilin‘s development of nanoscale devices to detect disease biomarkers in blood samples and Associate Professor Poh Chueh Loo’s work on an RNA-based biosensor that can detect flavonoids, a family of powerful compounds found in fruits and vegetables with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
As a student here, you’ll get to learn from recognised authorities in their respective
fields and gain exposure to this cutting-edge ecosystem. The department offers advanced degrees, including an MSc in Biomedical Engineering, designed to cultivate “holistic engineers.” Students gain the analytical skills and biomedical knowledge necessary to tackle healthcare challenges. With elective courses like Advanced Machine Learning for Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Cellular Bioengineering and Medical Robotics, BME students can carve unique, specialised paths in healthcare technology.
Along with technical expertise, you’ll develop systems and design thinking skills essential for innovation in medical tech. Thanks to the programme’s focus on transferable soft skills, you’ll be able to translate all of this scientific knowledge into effective communication with management, clinicians, healthcare workers, regulatory bodies, and other engineers.
With this MSc in hand, graduates are well-prepared to enter a thriving job market, with many finding roles at organisations like National University Hospital, GE Healthcare, TriReme Medical, Edwards Lifesciences, and more.
Learn more about NUS’s Department of Biomedical Engineering.
UC Berkeley
Founded in 1998, UC Berkeley‘s Department of Bioengineering (BioE) is a part of the College of Engineering, consistently ranked among the top three engineering schools in the country by US News & World Report.
Berkeley BioE offers two professional master’s programmes, each catering to distinct ambitions. The Master of Translational Medicine, a unique one-year collaboration with UC San Francisco, equips engineers, scientists, and clinicians with the tools to shepherd innovative treatments from lab bench to bedside. This intensive programme covers bioengineering fundamentals, disease mechanisms, engineering design, and clinical research, culminating in a collaborative capstone project where students translate theory into real-world solutions.
For those seeking immediate industry impact, the Master of Engineering in Bioengineering (MEng) provides a fast track to leadership roles. This one-year programme equips graduates with a potent mix of technical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen. For instance, in General Bioengineering — one of the seven cutting-edge concentrations — students explore Biotechnology Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Product Development. This course focuses on the science behind biotechnological advancements and teaches students how to bring innovative products to market, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle real-world challenges in the bioengineering field.
Joining Berkeley BioE is like entering a vibrant community of passionate minds pushing the boundaries of bioengineering. Whether you’re a clinician seeking to improve healthcare or an aspiring entrepreneur eager to translate ideas into tangible solutions, Berkeley BioE empowers you to become the changemaker the world needs.
Imperial College London
Imperial College London‘s Department of Bioengineering is at the forefront of advancing bioengineering at home and abroad. While the department focuses on three key areas: Biomedical Engineering, Biological Engineering, and Biomimetics, faculty members come from various academic disciplines — including engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and medicine.
Here, students have access to a range of postgraduate study options, including an MSc in Engineering for Biomedicine, an MSc in Human and Biological Robotics, and an MSc in Biomedical Engineering. These programmes offer an in-depth understanding of bioengineering, preparing graduates for impactful careers in this rapidly evolving field.
Take the MSc in Biomedical Engineering, for example. This programme equips students with both technical expertise and hands-on experience in biomaterials. Students learn about the use of biomaterials in medical and surgical devices, tissue engineering, and even the creation of new materials for medical applications. This is paired with optional modules like Biomechanics, Biomimetics, and Biomedical Imaging. An individual research project tests all students have learned by getting them to solve a real-world challenge in bioengineering.
The setting? State-of-the-art facilities across both the South Kensington and White City campuses, including the Sir Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, a cutting-edge centre for MedTech innovation.
ETH Zurich
Founded in 1855, ETH Zurich attracts over 22,000 students from more than 120 countries, including 4,200 doctoral candidates. With more than 500 professors leading the way, ETH Zurich offers programmes in fields like engineering, architecture, mathematics, and social sciences.
Among its many departments is the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET). It features 19 research laboratories focused on integrated circuits, computer networks, wireless communications, signal processing, control theory, power electronics, and more. The department is also known for its strong research initiatives in biomedical engineering and neural information processing.
Here, students can pursue the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering. This programme was created to meet the growing need for scientists who can work at the intersection of biology, medicine, engineering, and physics. With strong support from ETH Zurich, the University Hospital of Zurich, and the Paul Scherrer Institute, this programme drives innovative biomedical engineering research, encourages biotech spin-offs, and offers several interdisciplinary academic opportunities.
The MSc’s curriculum is rich and varied, drawing from eight different departments. Students can choose one of five specialised tracks: Bioelectronics, Bioimaging, Biomechanics, Medical Physics, or Molecular Bioengineering. In addition to essential semester and master projects, students can engage in research projects or industry internships, enhancing their practical experience. For those with a background in engineering, the programme also includes lectures in Biology, Anatomy, and Physiology, ensuring a well-rounded education that prepares them for future challenges in the field.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International