Masters degrees in Biomedical Imaging offer advanced training in the techniques used to create devices, systems and algorithms to visualise biological and medical structures and their functions.
Courses range from taught MSc degrees, to research oriented MRes and MPhil programmes. Entry requirements normally include an undergraduate degree in a relevant science or medical discipline.
The studies in Biomedical Imaging provide you with strong knowledge on either cellular biology, anatomy and physiology, nanomedicine or biophysics, depending on the area of specialisation. You will study in a highly international environment and gain excellent theoretical and practical skills in a wide range of imaging techniques and applications as well as in image analysis.
In addition, the courses cover for instance light microscopy, advanced fluorescence techniques, super-resolution imaging techniques, PET, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Also an understanding of the use of multimedia in a scientific context and excellent academic writing skills are emphasised. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides you with a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art knowledge in biomedical imaging related to many different areas in cell biology and biomedicine.
The graduates have the possibility to continue their studies as doctoral candidates in order to pursue a career as a scientist, in industry or science administration, and in an imaging core facility or a hospital research laboratory.
The strong imaging expertise of Turku universities is a great environment for the studying Biomedical Imaging. Imaging is one of the strongholds of the two universities in Turku, Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku. Both universities also maintain the Turku BioImaging, which is a broad-based, interdisciplinary science and infrastructure umbrella that unites bioimaging expertise in Turku, and elsewhere in Finland. Turku is especially known for its PET Centre and the development of super-resolution microscopy.
Winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Stefan Hell did his original discoveries on STED microscopy at the University of Turku. Turku is also a leader of the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure network which provides imaging services for European researchers.
Turku has a unique, compact campus area, where two universities and a university hospital operate to create interdisciplinary and innovative study and research environment.
Research facilities include a wide array of state-of-the-art imaging technologies ranging from atomic level molecular and cellular imaging to whole animal imaging, clinical imaging (e.g. PET) and image analysis.
Studies in bioimaging are highly research oriented and the courses are tailored to train future imaging experts in various life science areas.
Biomedical Imaging specialisation track is very interdisciplinary with a unique atmosphere where people from different countries and educational backgrounds interact and co-operate. Students are motivated to join courses, workshops and internship projects also elsewhere in Finland, in Europe and all around the world. Programme has Erasmus exchange agreements with University of Pecs in Hungary and L’Institut Supérieur de BioSciences in Paris, France.
Master’s thesis in biomedical imaging consists of two parts: an experimental laboratory project, thesis plan and seminar presentation, and the written thesis.
The aim of the thesis is to demonstrate that the student masters their field of science, understands the research methodology as well as the relevant literature, and is capable of scientific thinking and presenting the obtained data to the scientific community.
Usually the Master’s thesis is conducted in a research group as an independent sub-project among the group’s research projects. Experimental research work will be conducted under the guidance of a supervisor.
Examples of thesis topics:
After completing the studies, you will:
The interdisciplinary curriculum provides you with broad knowledge on biomedical imaging that is related to many areas of biomedicine and life sciences.
The Biomedical Imaging spesialisation track aims to train future imaging and image analysis experts to meet the increasing needs in the fields of basic and medical research as well as the high demand for imaging core facility personnel.
The Programme provides excellent possibilities for a career in life sciences. For example, you can:
Master of Science degree provides you with eligibility for scientific postgraduate degree studies.
Graduates from the Biomedical Sciences Programme are eligible to apply for a position in the University of Turku Graduate School, UTUGS. The Graduate School consists of 16 doctoral programmes covering all disciplines and doctoral candidates of the University.
Together with the doctoral programmes the Graduate School provides systematic and high quality doctoral training. UTUGS aims to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional career in research and other positions of expertise.
Several doctoral programmes at University of Turku are available for graduates:
Imaging has contributed to some of the most significant advances in biomedicine and healthcare and this trend is accelerating. This MSc, taught by leading scientists and clinicians, will equip imaging students from all science backgrounds with detailed knowledge of the advanced imaging techniques which provide new insights into cellular, molecular and functional processes, preparing them for a PhD or a career in industry.
Imaging is essential for diagnosis of disease and development of novel treatments. This programme focuses on translational medical imaging, and the development and use of preclinical imaging technologies to detect, monitor and prevent illnesses such as cancer, heart diseases and neurodegeneration. Students will undertake an independent research-based project in UCL’s world-class laboratories and develop their communication skills in biomedical science.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of six core modules (120 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this programme.
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 7,000 words or a manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, laboratory work, site visits and practicals. Assessment is through examination, presentations, essays, practical reports and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Advanced Biomedical Imaging MSc
UCL is involved in the dynamic and successful London-based entrepreneurial activity in biomedical imaging. It has a strong track record in placing postgraduates in key positions within industry (e.g. Siemens, Philips, GE Healthcare, GSK, SMEs and start-ups) and 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 will provide ideal training for students who wish to apply to UCL’s EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Medical Imaging.
Employability
This programme belongs to the School of Life and Medical Sciences; one of the largest and most prestigious aggregations of academics in its field, with a global reputation for teaching informed by cutting-edge research. Our close links with major hospitals and industry allow students to perform significant research projects. This laboratory experience makes them attractive applicants for PhD studentships or research assistant positions. Around 75% of our graduates have found research positions; either PhD studentships (50%) or research assistant positions (25%) in leading laboratories. Other graduates have taken up positions in industry or continued with specialist clinical training.
UCL offers a world-class environment in medical imaging and hosts several medical and biomedical imaging centres of excellence.
The UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging is one of the world’s most advanced imaging centres, with 11 state-of-the-art imaging technologies, and is dedicated to developing imaging techniques of the future. Biomedical imaging is an interdisciplinary field drawing together biology, medicine, physics, engineering, and art.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Division of Medicine
80% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The International Master in Bio-Imaging at the University of Bordeaux offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary academic program in cellular and biomedical imaging, from molecules and cells to entire animals and humans. It is part of the “Health Engineering” program, which combines three academic tracks (Biomedical Imaging, Cellular Bio-Imaging and Bio-Material & Medical Devices).
Built on the research expertise of the researchers at the University of Bordeaux, this Master program provides excellent training opportunities in advanced bio-imaging methods and concepts to understand (patho)-physiological processes through the vertical integration of molecular, cellular and systems approaches and analyses.
Students receive intense and coordinated training in bio-imaging, combining a mix of theoretical and practical aspects. They acquire scientific and technological knowledge and experience in the main imaging techniques used in biomedical research and practice.
Semesters 1 and 2 focus on the acquisition of general knowledge in the field (courses and laboratory training). Semester 3 consists of track specialization in cellular bio-imaging, biomedical imaging and bio-materials & medical devices. Semester 4 proposes an internship within an academic laboratory or with an industrial partner.
Semester 1:
Semester 2:
Cellular Bio-Imaging track
Biomedical Imaging track
Semester 3:
Cellular Bio-Imaging track
Biomedical Imaging track
Semester 4:
Graduates will be qualified in the following domains of expertise:
Potential career opportunities include: researcher, service engineer, application scientist, bio-medical engineer, sales engineer, healthcare executive.
If you are interested in medical imaging and highly sophisticated ways of assisting in diagnostics visually the medical imaging programme comes from a long heritage of major world innovation which was led by research at Aberdeen. Did you know researchers at Aberdeen invented the first MRI scanner (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) for instance? Since this time much has been done to further work on the MRI scanner and deliver some of the most advanced forms of body visualisation tools available to the health area. If you have ever wondered how X rays work or you are interested in the latest radiotherapy techniques to provide therapeutic tools from radiographic equipment and advances this programme not only gives you the theory and practice in applying imaging in a health setting, it also gives you opportunities to think about the technologies involved and the applications. There is a lot of Physics and Maths required behind the different technologies involved in medical imaging so if you have these subjects and a life science background plus engineering or similar science disciplines this will make the programme more accessible.
By the end of the MSc programme you will have received a thorough academic grounding in Medical Imaging, been exposed to the practice of Medical Imaging in a hospital Department, and carried out a short research project. The MSc programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine as fulfilling part of the training requirements for those wishing to work in the NHS. There are wide ranging career possibilities after graduation. You may wish to go straight into clinic settings to apply your skills within diagnostics or you may wish to study further for a PhD towards teaching or researching. There have also been spin out companies as a result of understanding and applying imaging technologies towards innovative applications. This subject also aligns with some major innovations in Photonics and other areas of medical science which you may like to explore further if you are interested in invention and innovation at the Scottish Innovation Centres: http://www.innovationcentres.scot/
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about fees
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
This MSc is the only programme in the UK entirely focused on the imaging of cancer and has been purpose-built to meet a demand for expert researchers and clinicians. Medical imaging is central to the management of cancer, and this course has been designed to cover all aspects of imaging, from basic physics to image analysis. It also aims to give a solid grounding in current concepts of cancer biology and therapy as they apply ‘bench to bedside’.
Designed in close collaboration with a leading team of radiologists, medical physicists, oncologists and research specialists, the programme takes a theoretical and a practical approach to ensure it provides you with the specialist knowledge and skills required.
A key part of the programme is the study of real patient data and there are opportunities for project work in state-of-the-art clinical facilities for oncology imaging at both Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital. You can also undertake preclinical research in the University's PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Research Centre, a recently completed cutting edge facility that hosts the only research-dedicated cyclotron in the UK, along with extensive radiochemistry provision and preclinical PET-CT and SPECT-CT scanners.
You study the basic theory and practice of image analysis and interpretation as well as advanced research applications. Students obtain a deep appreciation of the importance of image analysis as a discipline in the generation of scientific data that underpins patient management.
You gain an understanding of imaging theory, technology and application as relates to clinical practice across modalities, and of the biology of cancer as manifested in the clinic, integrated with key physiological and pharmacological concepts.
The programme aims to give graduate students from a range of backgrounds an understanding of imaging theory, an overview of the current understanding of cancer and how this underlies the use of imaging in patient management and the assessment of cancer treatments.
The programme comprises a combination of lectures, state-of-the-art computer-based image analysis, practical work, and projects supported by 'problem classes', workshops and tutorials.
A 12-week cancer imaging research project, carried out in the laboratory of an internationally-recognised cancer imaging scientist or clinician, is a key part of the course.
Programme Content:
* All modules are subject to availability.
This MSc is designed for recent graduates who wish to pursue a career in medical imaging with a cancer focus.
The coverage of all aspects of medical imaging used in the management of cancer patients, from the basic physics through to clinical practice as seen in a modern UK NHS radiology department, also make it suitable for professionals working towards clinical qualification as well as those already qualified.
The programme is also the ideal pathway for biomedical science graduates or physicists who wish to develop their biological understanding of this disease prior to PhD study or employment in industry. Students will become independent life-long learners and scientific investigators with an ability to communicate across all disciplines involved with imaging.
The Masters in Biomedical Engineering is an interdisciplinary programme that will equip you for employment within the biomedical engineering sector. This programme addresses all the key aspects of biomedical engineering.
Modes of delivery of the MSc in Biomedical Engineering include lectures, seminars and tutorials and allow students the opportunity to take part in lab, team work and study trips in the UK. You will undertake an MSc project working on a specific research area with one of the academics.
Career opportunities include positions in rehabilitation engineering, biomaterials for reconstructive surgery, biosensors, device and implant design and development, and biosignal processing.
Application period/deadline: March 14 - 28, 2018
• Interdisciplinary knowledge in medical and health technologies from theoretical and practical perspective
• Capability to design and implement biomedical measurement systems and health applications, and process multimodal biomedical signals and images
• Opportunity to modify personal study profile according to your professional interests
The applicant can select from the two alternatives. Degrees to be obtained:
(1) Master of Health Sciences, with focus on biomechanics, medical imaging and health technology applications
(2) Master of Science (Technology), with focus on biomedical signal and image processing, machine learning, and measurement and analysis of biomedical data
The International Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Engineering (BME) is a two-year interdisciplinary programme focusing on biomechanics and medical imaging as well as biomedical signal and image processing. The programme will give you relevant skills and core knowledge of the latest methods, tools and technologies combined with issues such as:
• Anatomy and physiology
• Biomechanics
• Biomedical measurements
• Medical physics and imaging techniques
• Biomedical signal and image processing
• Machine learning
• E-Health
• Health technology applications
Finland has impressive health technology industry and its health care system is worldwide known. University of Oulu and the OuluHealth innovation ecosystem offer an excellent platform for research and development (R&D). The BME program is organized by internationally recognized high-quality research groups in close collaboration with the Oulu University Hospital. The program and the international research groups have also cooperation with other health care organizations and health technology industry.
Master graduate from the BME program typically works in different expert duties in industry, research, education, and health care. He/she may work e.g. as designer, developer, researcher, service provider, or entrepreneur. Typically the tasks involve strong international perspective.
Occupational profiles of the graduates:
• Developing and testing products in the industry as well as marketing and post-marketing support and managerial tasks
• Research, education, and specialist duties in academia and research institutes
• Consulting on the use and procurement of products, evaluation of performance, maintenance, customization of appliances to clinical and research needs in health care units
• Public official tasks related to the quality control, and management, and establishment of safety standards
Students applying for the programme must possess an applicable B.Sc. degree in biomedical engineering, biophysics, physics, computer engineering, computer science, information technology, electrical engineering, control engineering, mechanical engineering, or other related fields.
This Masters in Sensor and Imaging Systems (SIS) focuses on the technologies and techniques that underpin a vast range of societal, research and industrial needs. It is delivered and awarded jointly by the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Sensing and sensor systems are essential for advances in research across all fields of physics, engineering and chemistry and are enhanced when multiple sensing functions are combined into arrays to enable imaging. Industrial applications of sensor systems are ubiquitous: from mass-produced sensors found in modern smart phones and every modern car to the state-of-the-art, specialist high-value sensors routinely used in oil and gas recovery, scientific equipment, machine tools, medical equipment and environmental monitoring. This is an industry-focused programme, designed for people looking to develop skills that will open up opportunities in a host of end applications.
The programme comprises a mix of core and optional courses. The curriculum you undertake is flexible and tailored to your prior experience and expertise, your particular research interests, and the specific nature of the extended research project topic provisionally identified at the beginning of the MSc programme.
Graduates receive a joint degree from the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
You will gain an understanding of sensor-based systems applicable to a whole host of markets supported by CENSIS.
Career opportunities are extensive. Sensor systems are spearheading the next wave of connectivity and intelligence for internet connected devices, underpinning all of the new ‘smart markets’, e.g., grid, cities, transport and mobility, digital healthcare and big data.
You will graduate with domain-appropriate skills suitable for a range of careers in areas including renewable energy, subsea and marine technologies, defence, automotive engineering, intelligent transport, healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing and process control, consumer electronics, and environmental monitoring.
Globally, the market for sensor systems is valued at £500Bn with an annual growth rate of 10%. The Scottish sensor systems market is worth £2.6Bn pa. There are over 170 sensor systems companies based in Scotland (SMEs and large companies), employing 16,000 people in high-value jobs including product R&D, design, engineering, manufacturing and field services.
If you want to study Medical Physics with applications in nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, electronics and MRI University of Aberdeen has an world renowned historic reputation within major global innovation in this health area. Did you know the first MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner was invented at Aberdeen over 30 years ago? Major innovations to this technology are still being researched at Aberdeen today. You learn everything you need to know as an advanced grounding in medical physics such as understanding anatomy and how cells are altered by disease. You look at the engineering behind MRI and other visual scanning techniques to understand how applications are made in areas such as nuclear, Positron, Tomography, Radio diagnosis (X-ray), MRI and Ultrasound. You understand radiation and you apply electronics and computing to medical physics. The degree ensures plenty of practical understanding and application and you learn MRI within the department that built it.
If you want to work within imaging and medical physics to pursue a medical career in hospitals, industry and healthcare and diagnose disease by different methods of imaging the degree in Medical Physics will help you towards this goal. You can also develop your own research portfolio and PhD from this MSc and work within academia to pursue innovation in the discipline.
You receive a thorough academic grounding in Medical Physics, are exposed to its practice in a hospital environment, and complete a short research project. Many graduates take up careers in health service medical physics, either in the UK or their home country. The MSc programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine as fulfilling part of the training requirements for those wishing to work in the NHS. You can also work as a researcher, risk manager, radiation physics specialist and within the medical device industry in product development and innovation.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about fees
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
Medical imaging is a rapidly-growing discipline within the healthcare sector, involving clinicians, physicists, computer scientists and those in IT industries.
This programme delivers the expertise you'll need to forge a career in medical imaging, including radiation physics, image processing, biology, computer vision, pattern recognition, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
This programme is studied full-time over 12 months and part-time over 48 months. It consists of eight taught modules and an extended project.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
To support your learning, we hold regular MSc group meetings where any aspect of the programme, technical or non-technical, can be discussed in an informal atmosphere. This allows you to raise any problems that you would like to have addressed and encourages peer-based learning and general group discussion.
We provide computing support with any specialised software required during the programme, for example, Matlab.
The Department’s student common room is also covered by the university’s open-access wireless network, which makes it a very popular location for individual and group work using laptops and mobile devices. There is also a Faculty quiet room for individual study.
We pride ourselves on the many opportunities that we provide to visit collaborating hospitals. These enable you to see first-hand demonstrations of medical imaging facilities and to benefit from lectures by professional practitioners.
To support material presented during the programme, you will also undertake a selection of ultrasound and radiation detection experiments, hosted by our sister MSc programme in Medical Physics.
The taught postgraduate Degree Programmes of the Department are intended both to assist with professional career development within the relevant industry and, for a small number of students, to serve as a precursor to academic research.
Our philosophy is to integrate the acquisition of core engineering and scientific knowledge with the development of key practical skills (where relevant).
To fulfil these objectives, the programme aims to:
Medical Imaging is a rapidly growing discipline within the healthcare sector, incorporating engineers, physicists, computer scientists and clinicians. It is driven by the recent rapid development of 3-D Medical Imaging Systems, fuelled by an exponential rise in computing power.
New methods have been developed for the acquisition, reconstruction, processing and display of digital medical-image data with unprecedented speed, resolution and contrast.
This programme in Medical Imaging is aimed at training graduates for careers in this exciting multi-disciplinary area, and our graduates can expect to find employment in the medical imaging industry or the public health care sector.
It represents a blend of fundamental medical physics topics concerned with image acquisition and reconstruction coupled with imaging science and image engineering topics such that graduates understand how images are formed and how advanced machine-based methods can be bought to bare to provide new diagnostic information.
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
This programme is the first taught Masters programme in medical visualisation in the UK. Offered jointly by the University of Glasgow and the Glasgow School of Art, it combines actual cadaveric dissection with 3D digital reconstruction, interaction and visualisation.
◾You will examine human anatomy and reconstruct it in a real-time 3D environment for use in education, simulation, and training.
◾You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities such as laser scanner (for 3D data acquisition), stereo 3D projection, full body motion capture system, haptic devices and ambisonic sound.
◾You will also have access to the Anatomy Facility at the University of Glasgow, one of the busiest in the UK.
◾The programme has excellent industry connections through research and commercial projects and there are possible internship opportunities. You will benefit from guest lectures by practitioners, researchers and experts from industry.
◾This programme is accredited by the Institute of Medical Illustrators.
You will split your time between the Glasgow School of Art (School of Simulation and Visualisation) and the University of Glasgow (Anatomy Facility). The programme is structured into three stages.
Stage one: digital technologies applied to medical visualisation (delivered by the School of Simulation and Visualisation at the Glasgow School of Art)
Core courses
◾3D modelling and animation
◾Applications in medical visualisation
◾Volumetric and 3D surface visualisation
◾Core research skills for postgraduates.
Stage two: human anatomy (delivered by the Anatomy Facility at the University of Glasgow).
Core courses
◾Introduction to anatomy
◾Structure and function of the human body
◾Cadaveric dissection techniques.
In stage three you will complete a self-directed final project, supported throughout with individual supervision.
Career opportunities exist within the commercial healthcare device manufacturer, the public and private healthcare sectors, as well as in academic medical visualisation research. Students with medical, biomedical, anatomy, or health professional backgrounds will be able to gain 3D visualisation skills that will enhance their portfolio of abilities; students with computer science or 3D graphics background will be involved in the design and development of healthcare related products through digital technology, eg diagnostic and clinical applications, creating content involving medical visualisation, simulation, cardiac pacemakers, and biomechanically related products for implantation, such as knee, hip and shoulder joint replacements.
Here are some examples of roles and companies for our graduates:
◾Interns, Clinical Assistants and Clinical Researchers at Toshiba Medical Visualisation Systems
◾Research Prosector (GU)
◾3D printing industry
◾Demonstrators in Anatomy
◾PhD studies - medical history, medical visualisation
◾Medical School
◾Dental School
◾Digital Designer at Costello Medical
◾Lead Designer at Open Bionics
◾Founder of Axial Medical Printing Ltd
◾Digital Technician at University of Leeds
◾Digital Project Intern at RCPSG
◾Researcher and Factual Specialist at BBC
◾Graduate Teaching Assistants
◾Freelance Medical Illustration
◾Numerous successful placements on PhD programmes (medical visualisation, anatomy, anatomy education, medical humanities).
