Advanced Biomedical Imaging MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Imaging has contributed to some of the most significant advances in biomedicine and healthcare. This one-year MSc will equip you with detailed knowledge of the imaging techniques that are shaping biomedical research and translational medicine around the world. You will develop the skills and research experience needed to progress in this highly sought-after field.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£17,300
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
Duration
1 academic year
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 05 Apr 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a scientific or medical discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree



Biomedical imaging is an interdisciplinary field drawing together biology, medicine, physics, and engineering. Essential for the diagnosis of disease and development of novel treatments, it is a rapidly expanding field central to all aspects of biomedical research.

This MSc is run by the UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, one of the world’s most advanced imaging centres. With access to 11 state-of-the-art imaging technologies, you will gain first-hand experience of the imaging techniques of the future.

The programme focuses on preclinical and translational medical imaging, and the development of imaging technologies to detect, monitor and prevent illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and neurodegeneration. 

You will study the principles and application of preclinical and medical imaging techniques, learn to use different imaging modalities to develop and test novel therapies in preclinical models of disease, and explore imaging in translational medicine and clinical trials.

Gaining a deeper understanding of precision and personalised medicine, you will also develop skills in scientific communication to prepare you for a successful career in the field.

During term three, you will undertake your own research-based project using UCL's world-class laboratories and facilities.

Who this course is for

This programme is for scientists and clinicians who want to gain a thorough background in biomedical imaging and translational medical research. It will prepare you either for further research or for roles in the imaging or pharmaceutical industry. It is also suitable if you are a clinician who wants to pursue specialist training in radiology.

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.

  • A world-class environment in medical imaging that hosts several medical and biomedical imaging centres of excellence.
  • Access to 11 state-of-the-art imaging technologies.
  • The chance to deepen your knowledge of preclinical and translational medical imaging and the development of imaging technologies to detect, monitor and prevent illnesses.
  • A focus on scientific communication to develop the skills necessary for roles in this area.
  • The chance to undertake an independent research project in world-class laboratories.
  • Links to University College London Hospitals (UCLH), including Great Ormond Street Hospital, the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre, and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
  • Insights and opportunities from UCL's involvement in the dynamic and successful London-based entrepreneurial activity in biomedical imaging.
  • Comprehensive training for further research in biomedical imaging.

The foundation of your career

This training in practical preclinical imaging and laboratory experience will provide you with an ideal foundation for a PhD studentship or research assistant position. A high proportion of our graduates have found research positions, while others have taken up roles in industry or continued with specialist clinical training.

I was fascinated by using modalities to look inside the body. That's amazing. Because we are taught by specialists, they give you tips on how to present to children, the public or scientists. It helped me build my confidence.

Ayisato Aliko smiling

Ayisato Aliko

Advanced Biomedical Imaging, MSc

Employability

There is a shortage of people trained in this highly specialist area. This programme will deepen your knowledge of a diverse range of medical and biomedical imaging modalities, and you will graduate with the skills needed for roles in imaging or the pharmaceutical industry, or for the next level of research.

Within industry, graduates go on to key positions in companies such as Siemens, Philips, GE Healthcare, GSK, SMEs, and start-ups.

If you want to advance to further research, you will have the foundation needed for positions at other leading academic institutions with preclinical imaging facilities, including the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, and MIT and NIH in the US.

This MSc also acts as the ideal springboard if you are interested in applying to UCL's EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Medical Imaging.

Networking

There are regular networking opportunities, including events where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating at conferences.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a mix of seminars, lectures, laboratory work, site visits and practicals.

Assessment is through examinations (short-answer and multiple-choice questions), presentations, essays, coursework, and your dissertation.

This is a full-time course with two days of contact time (10am-6pm) and three days of self-directed study or assessment preparation a week. You will also do one week of specialist practical training.

Modules

This one-year programme is delivered through eight taught modules in the first two terms. You will then do a research project starting in term three.

The taught modules cover the theoretical aspects of a wide range of imaging used in pre-clinical and clinical research and how they are applied in pre-clinical and clinical research. You will also study the practical and ethical aspects of preclinical research and develop your skills in science communication.

You will deepen your understanding of the topic by conducting a piece of original research, which will form your dissertation.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Advanced Biomedical Imaging.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Where you'll study

Division of Medicine Cruciform building

We have one of the largest concentrations of biomedical scientists in Europe. Among over 100 principal investigators are Fellows of the Royal Society, members of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and Senior Investigators of the National Institute for Health Research. Teaching is split between the Royal Free campus in Hampstead and Bloomsbury campus. For undergraduates, most of the first year will be based at the Royal Free campus, with some practical activities taking place in Bloomsbury. As you progress, more modules are based at Bloomsbury, which means you are likely to build strong familiarity with both of these sites.

Online - Open day

Virtual Event for MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging, MSc/MRes Clinical Drug Development, MSc/MRes Drug Design and MSc Precision Medicine

The UCL Division of Medicine Team hosts a virtual event where they give a short presentation about the programmes, details on different modules, and what teaching will look like in 2020.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Respiratory Clinical Science MSc (Q&A Session)

This MSc focuses on the study of the scientific and clinical basis of respiratory diseases with all courses and modules directed towards understanding disease and the effects on patients. It will provide you with the tools to develop further careers in the area and create opportunities to interact with researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical experts in respiratory medicine. Please join us to ask your questions about this exciting programme. Speaker - Dr Vitor Teixeira

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £17,300
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

Bursaries are available for several Division of Medicine programmes. Find out if this course is eligible.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: 14 December 2023
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Division of Medicine PGT Bursary

Deadline: 31 July 2024
Value: £5,000 towards fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Advanced Biomedical Imaging at graduate level
  • why you want to study Advanced Biomedical Imaging at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions? Get in touch

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