Medical engineering at Cardiff University. Part 1: Undergraduate programmes of study

Cardiff University has offered a medical engineering undergraduate programme since 2001 and hence delivers one of the longest-running and most established medical engineering programmes within the UK. It currently offers BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) programmes that are both accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and include the option to undertake a year in industrial employment. The admissions policy ensures that the intake consists of a diverse range of students and is typically very successful in attracting female students. The programmes consist of six key academic threads which ensure that the content is both relevant and continuous, with all threads tailored to provide a patient-focused learning environment. Students initially learn core and fundamental principles in years 1 and 2, supported by a range of laboratories and practical experimentation. The latter years then encourage the students to corroborate and apply this knowledge, including involvement in a range of project-based learning exercises. The programme is delivered by a core of experienced academic medical engineers, with support from other engineering colleagues, as well as colleagues from the School of Biosciences, the School of Medicine, and the National Health Service. Thus, the programme delivers a wide range of modules which guarantee that graduating students have a thorough understanding of all possible career options. These two factors are significant in making it possible for students to follow their chosen career path upon graduation.