Bioengineering MScR
Awards: MScR
Study modes: Part-time, Full-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Bioengineering
The Institute for Bioengineering (IBioE) connects Engineering, Physical Sciences, Biology and Medicine, for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic biomedical devices and technologies.
Research themes include:
Synthetic Biology - to design and construct (e.g. to ‘engineer’) biological devices and systems, often at cellular level. Applications range from therapeutic to environmental.
Tissue Engineering - the production of 3D or 2D scaffolds or guidance cues for biological cells. Applications are largely therapeutic and also include new forms of lab-on-chip technology.
Biomedical Modelling and Measurement - understanding biological materials through modelling and measurement for applications in, for example, prosthetics, prediction of failure in blood vessels and the behaviour of bone with ageing. We also study the behaviour of biological materials experimentally and in most cases, non-invasively (e.g. via Raman and CARS spectroscopy).
Biomedical Devices and Sensors - working with colleagues in chemistry, we develop sensors on silicon for simple biological parameters (e.g. oxygen concentration) along with sensors of specific biomarkers of disease and therapy.
The development of transferable skills is a vital part of postgraduate training and a vibrant, interdisciplinary training programme is offered to all research students by the University’s Institute for Academic Development (IAD). The programme concentrates on the professional development of postgraduates, providing courses directly linked to postgraduate study.
Courses run by the IAD are free and have been designed to be as flexible as possible so that you can tailor the content and timing to your own requirements.
Our researchers are strongly encouraged to present their research at conferences and in journal during the course of their programme.
Every year, the Graduate School organises a Postgraduate Research Conference to showcase the research carried out by students across the Research Institutes
Our researchers are also encouraged and supported to attend transferable skills courses provided by organisations such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Please also read our additional information on undertaking a research degree in Engineering.
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an appropriate subject, or relevant qualifications and experience.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Academic Technology Approval Scheme
If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.
Additional programme costs
In addition to tuition fees, your programme may be subject to additional programme costs.
This should be discussed with your proposed supervisor and the Engineering Graduate School on application.
Tuition fees
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MScR | Engineering (Bioengineering) | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
| MScR | Engineering (Bioengineering) | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Graduate School Administrator
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 7213
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Sanderson Building
- The King's Buildings Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH9 3FB
- Programme: Bioengineering
- School: Engineering
- College: Science & Engineering
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc by Research Engineering (Bioengineering) - 2 Years (Part-time)
MSc by Research Engineering (Bioengineering) - 1 Year (Full-time)
We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
You must submit two references with your application.
References must be dated within the last year, signed and on letterheaded paper.
Before you apply
We strongly recommend applicants find an academic that they are interested in working with before applying and contact them to discuss their research ideas. This initial contact can help when writing a research proposal and the application process.
See our website for a list of School research academics. Please be sure to include the name of your proposed supervisor in your online application.
Research proposal
When applying, applicants must provide a research proposal, even if for an advertised project. This helps evaluate your writing skills and research ideas and can help with both assessing your suitability for a research degree and whether we can offer supervision.
It should be no more than 2 x A4 pages and should indicate what areas of research interest you and the nature of the work you wish to undertake (experimental/theoretical/simulation).
CV and publications
When applying please provide a curriculum vitae and, if applicable, a list of your publications. If you have publications please provide your Researcher ID, ORCID ID, SCOPUS or Google Scholar address.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Graduate School Administrator
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 7213
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Sanderson Building
- The King's Buildings Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH9 3FB
- Programme: Bioengineering
- School: Engineering
- College: Science & Engineering