Course Information course information
About
We are offering a limited number of places on our Postgraduate Certificate in Biomedical Engineering, fully funded by the Department for the Economy and Invest Northern Ireland.
The programme is aimed at students who have a primary degree or alternative 3rd level qualification in engineering or another relevant technical subject.
The course will upskill these students so they will be better equipped to work in the large medical device and biomedical sectors in N. Ireland.
These sectors have been less affected than many others by the recent pandemic and the course is therefore likely to be attractive to potential students.
This course is a suitable preparation for employment in the medical device, pharma and biotechnology sectors and as preparation for research positions.
The course draws upon the internationally recognised research within the School of Engineering in areas such as Tissue Engineering, Bioceramics, Medical Electrodes and Drug Delivery.
Start Date
September 2025
Duration
September - June 2026
Campus
Belfast
Progression
Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Biomedical Engineering, students can apply to progress their studies on the MSc Biomedical Engineering with 60 credits exemption.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and assessment will be delivered using a blended approach with a combination of delivered learning sessions, self-directed learning with practice materials and support sessions. Blended delivery will include:
- Live lectures
- Live tutorials
- Live laboratory demonstration classes
- Supporting notes for lectures, tutorials and demonstrations as appropriate.
Contact
If you have any queries about the course, please email us: seng@ulster.ac.uk
Modules
Students on the part-time programme should select one core module + one additional module in both the SEMESTER 1 and SEMESTER 2 rows.
Each module is worth 15 credits. In each semester there are optional modules which allow students to tailor the programme to suit their work and/or study preferences. Please refer to detail below
Semester | Core modules | Optional modules |
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SEMESTER 1 |
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SEMESTER 2 |
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Compulsory Modules in semester 1
Advanced biomaterials for biomedical applications
The module aims to provide students a sound understanding of biomaterials and their use in a variety of biomedical applications.
A range of topics will be explored, including design aspects, biocompatibility and the foreign body response, interfacial properties of biomaterials, and factors affecting cellular response as well as medical device regulations and commercialisation.
Also, contemporary topics in biomaterials will be covered, such as nanobiomaterials, advanced biomaterials characterisation techniques, nanomedicine, and drug delivery. Furthermore, this module will include also a large project component, which allows the students to develop advanced knowledge and research skills in a specialised area.
Tissue Engineering
This module provides the student with the skills required to critically appraise the composition, properties and function of tissue engineered products within the context of the relevant biological and materials science considerations.
Issues relating to the ethics and regulation of tissue engineering and the implications of the relevant FDA (USA) and Medical Device Directives (EU) legislation are also covered.
Students will also develop skills to enable them to provide a considered opinion regarding the choice of scaffolds, cells, stimulatory factors and bioreactor environment for specific applications by considering a number of case studies.
Optional Modules in semester 1
Students will choose one optional module from the three listed below:
Manufacturing systems (optional)
This module provides a concise review of modern manufacturing, time compression methodologies and current manufacturing systems - their specification, implementation and development.
The flow of data within a product lifecycle is analysed from design through to manufacture and the effective utilisation of advanced manufacturing technology addressed.
Polymer Technology (optional)
At the end of the module the student should be able to critically appraise alternative thermoplastic conversion and fabrication processing routes.
Through analysis of processing behaviour, they should be capable of developing appropriate strategy for selection of conversion routes for a range of representative material systems and applications in terms of total economics and quality enhancement.
Composite Engineering (optional)
At the end of the module the student should have acquired a high level of competence the many facets of composite materials and their processing methods leading to an active role as a member of a Production Management or Research team.
The student should have the ability to select between competing 'composite' technologies for specific applications and hence be in a position to devise conversion systems and associated quality assurance procedures, having regard to maximising cost effectiveness and product reliability.
Research Methods & Management (optional)
This module integrates lectures with group activities in the study of the basics of research methods and management processes. The student will consolidate their learning of research methodologies, management processes, data processing, literature review, report and dissertation making.
Micro and Nano-Scale Devices (optional)
The course provides an in-depth knowledge of micro-nanodevices, as well as micro and nanofabrication techniques using elements from nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Compulsory Modules in semester 2
Bioinstrumentation
This research led module provides students with the necessary skills to understand and develop medical engineering devices, providing context and knowledge of the clinical need, details of underpinning hardware/software platforms and regulatory procedures governing implementation.
Medical Device Development
This module provides the student with the core skills required to contribute to the development of a new medical device in an industrial setting. The module covers EU and FDA medical device regulations, ethics & clinical trials, sterilisation and packaging and anatomy.
These skills are unique to biomedical engineering and are highly sought by employers in the medical device sector.
Optional Modules in semester 2
Quality Improvement (optional)
This module considers modern approaches to Quality Improvement. The context of product or service is set for the interpretation of Quality from different perspectives.
The Quality topics are considered under the themes of definition, measurement, actions, improvement and control. Modern and traditional management approaches are evaluated and techniques appropriate to product or service characteristics and organisation performance are considered.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Engineering (optional)
To provide participants with the capability to improve the competitiveness of companies through entrepreneurship practice and new product and/or process innovation.
A major team design project is addressed derived from a real problem from within a local/global manufacturing company. Material covered is supported through tutorial, lecture and workshop sessions as appropriate.
Intelligent Manufacturing (optional)
Two of the most important developments in manufacturing in the 21st century are Additive Manufacturing and the 4th Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).
In this module, students will be introduced to these two strands of advanced manufacturing and will develop the skills and knowledge to engage with these concepts in an industrial context.
Work Based Learning
The Work (Research) Based Learning module is defined as a period of project work within a research environment, normally of not less than 150 hours, supervised by a member of academic staff of the University. Its designed to inculcate a spirit of critical enquiry coupled with a rigorous academic approach to problem solving in research and enhance the personal, managerial, commercial and technical capabilities of the student.
Entry Requirements
Academic qualifications
- An Honours or non-Honours degree or postgraduate diploma/certificate in a relevant engineering, technology or science discipline.
- GCSE maths- minimum grade C
Exceptional circumstances
In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to the above, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route.
Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are over 18 years of age;
- are eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
- are ‘settled’ in Northern Ireland, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years; or
- are a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements