MSc Healthcare Technology

The University of Birmingham is a world-leading research centre for Healthcare Technology. We are advancing new technologies and treatments that enable people to live longer, healthier and happier lives. This requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving engineers, life scientists and physical scientists.

The MSc in Healthcare Technology will provide multidisciplinary masters-level training to equip you with the skills needed to pursue exciting careers in this area, both in industrial and academic settings. Graduates from the programme will form the next generation of researchers developing novel technologies enabling healthier ageing.

Key themes within healthcare technology research at the University of Birmingham are scar-free healing, early detection and diagnosis of diseases, tissue regeneration, developing better prosthetics, and tackling antibiotic resistance. You will have the chance to develop an understanding of these areas from a set of core modules.

You will also be able to choose from a series of optional modules to develop additional expertise in complementary areas, such as bioprocessing, business, and pharmaceuticals. Finally, MSc students will have the opportunity to apply their understanding by undertaking an original research project with research groups working within the Healthcare Technologies Institute or School of Chemical Engineering.

We expect graduates from the MSc in Healthcare Technology to work in the growing industry surrounding this area, for example, diagnostics, medical devices, and other medical technology. We also expect some graduates will pursue further study, via PhD or other doctoral programmes.

Why study for a Masters in Healthcare Technology at Birmingham?

• In this course, we explore the key areas of healthcare technology that will enable people to lead longer, healthier lives. We cover the requirements for product and technology development, including ethics and regulatory aspects.
• We explore the multidisciplinarity of the subject, building an understanding of the interface between physical science (eg materials science, mechanical engineering), biological science (cell biology, clinical science), and engineering (eg manufacturing, formulation) aspects. Success in the field requires understanding and optimisation of both areas.
• Our themed optional modules enable you to specialise in areas that interest you: from the production and formulation of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals; bioprocessing for the manufacture of small molecules and biopharmaceuticals; synthetic biology for the generation of novel molecular products; and the business surrounding the sector.
• Teaching is led by our world-leading research in healthcare technology and process engineering, and during the research project students work within research groups on an original research project to develop a novel healthcare technology or product.
• Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. With over 35,000 students and 7,000 staff, today we are one of the world’s leading universities. Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people’s lives – a tradition that this programme proudly continues.
• Explore important aspects of healthcare technology, addressing the design and development of medical devices, biomaterials, sensing systems, implants and tissue-engineered constructs.
• Specialise in complementary areas that interest you, from pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and bioprocessing, to the business surrounding the sector.
• Benefit from our collaborations with world-class industry partners, and international, leading-edge engineering and science departments.

Modules

Depending upon your background, the programme starts with introductory modules to introduce material that will be encountered in the programme. This will give you the knowledge needed to engage with the rest of the programme.

There are 60 credits of core modules focused on the major aspects of healthcare technology, delivered by world-leading researchers and informed by their latest research. These modules cover topics such as tissue engineering, advanced biomaterials, medical devices, sensing and additive manufacture in healthcare settings.

The core modules are complemented by optional modules in the areas of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, bioprocessing, business skills and synthetic biology. These enable you to develop your expertise in areas surrounding healthcare technology and will prepare you for your future career in industry or academia.

Finally, in the summer, Master's students undertake an original research project, working closely with a research group within the Healthcare Technologies Institute or School of Chemical Engineering. The research project will focus on the development of a novel healthcare technology product and include a business plan and a pitch to potential investors. This will allow you to consolidate your knowledge in a practical setting and put your learning into the context of the development of new healthcare technologies.

This brings the total credits for the MSc to 180.

Introductory modules – between 0-20 credits

If you have not studied biology or life science before, at the degree level, you will take the Bioscience for Graduates of other disciplines module, which will introduce you to the relevant topics. Likewise, students without a biomedical science or biomedical engineering background will take the Introduction to Healthcare Technology module.

• Bioscience for Graduates of other disciplines - 10 credits
• Introduction to Healthcare Technology - 10 credits

Core modules - 60 credits:

• Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing for Healthcare Applications - 10 credits
• Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare Technologies – 10 credits
• Advanced Therapeutic Medicine Products - 10 credits
• Frontiers in Tissue Engineering - 10 credits
• Medical Devices – 10 credits
• Sensor Systems in Medicine – 10 credits

Project

• Research Project (MSc only) - 60 credits

Optional modules – your choice of up to 120 credits

All modules are offered subject to sufficient enrolled students. All module descriptions are provisional and subject to minor change. Example optional modules are listed below:

Pharmaceutical Technology Theme

• Design and development of drug delivery systems - 10 credits
• From bench to market: the development of pharmaceutical drug products - 10 credits
• Plant design and manufacturing principles for (bio)pharmaceutical production - 10 credits

Bioprocessing Theme

• Applied Synthetic Biology - 10 credits
• Bioseparations - 20 credits
• Cell Factories - 20 credits

Business Studies Theme

• Business and Strategy Development - 10 credits
• Project Management (Business Strategy Delivery) - 10 credits

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.