BSc Biomedical Engineering

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University College Dublin

Program Overview

The BSc in Biomedical Engineering at University College Dublin is designed for students who are fascinated by how the human body moves, performs, and adapts to exercise and physical activity. It’s ideal for those who want to build a career in sport, health, fitness, rehabilitation, or further scientific study, while gaining both strong theory and practical experience.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Understanding the Human Body

In your first year, you focus on how the body works and how it responds to movement and exercise. Through modules such as Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, and Health and Fitness, you begin to understand how muscles, organs, and energy systems support physical activity and overall health.

Year 2 – Linking Science with Performance

Your second year takes you deeper into how the body and mind work together to produce performance. You will study Biomechanics, Sports Psychology, Exercise Prescription, and Laboratory Skills, learning how movement is analysed, how athletes are motivated, and how safe and effective exercise programmes are designed.

Year 3 & 4 – Applying Your Knowledge in Real Settings

In your final year, you bring everything together through advanced and applied study. Modules such as Sports Injury Management, Behaviour Change, Applied Performance Analysis, and a Research Thesis help you develop professional-level understanding and prepare you for work in health, sport, or further study.

Focus areas (in a string):

Exercise science, biomechanics, sports psychology, nutrition and health, injury prevention, performance analysis, research skills

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Understanding of human performance, ability to design exercise and training programmes, strong laboratory and research skills, applied health and sport knowledge, critical and analytical thinking

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program is delivered by UCD’s School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, giving it strong recognition and credibility across the health, sport, and exercise science sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings):

University College Dublin is one of Europe’s leading universities for health and sport sciences, and its graduates are known for their practical training, scientific expertise, and readiness for professional and postgraduate pathways.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From day one, students in the BSc in Biomedical Engineering degree at UCD learn by doing, blending classroom knowledge with practical, hands-on experience that prepares you for real roles in health, sport and performance settings. You’ll spend time in specialised performance labs, work with motion analysis and exercise testing equipment, and collaborate with peers on projects that mirror real-world challenges in exercise prescription, biomechanics and performance assessment. Alongside academic study, there are opportunities to study abroad, engage in interdisciplinary modules, and connect with research active staff working on cutting-edge topics in health and exercise science, ensuring your learning goes beyond theory into practice:

Specialised performance and exercise labs: You get to work in facilities equipped for biomechanics, exercise physiology and performance analysis, applying scientific methods to real human movement and health assessments as part of your modules.
Practical workshops and group projects: Many units combine theory with collaborative practical work, where you’ll design and test exercise programmes, analyse performance data, and present findings — helping you build teamwork and communication skills.
Study Abroad and module flexibility: You can choose modules both inside and outside the School, and if you opt to study abroad, you’ll integrate your learning into diverse international academic and sport environments.
Research interaction with faculty: The School is highly active in sport, health and exercise research, offering you exposure to ongoing studies and research thinking that can enrich thesis work or open gateways to postgraduate research opportunities.
Academic and scientific tools: Throughout the degree you’ll use industry-relevant digital tools and equipment for performance testing and data analysis, developing technical proficiency that employers in health, sport and wellness sectors value.
Campus environment and support: On UCD’s Belfield campus you’ll benefit from a range of science and health facilities, collaborative spaces, and library resources that support your practical work and independent projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc in Biomedical Engineering at University College Dublin step into careers where science, sport, and health come together. Whether you want to work as a Performance Analyst, Exercise Scientist, Health Promotion Officer, or Strength and Conditioning Coach, this degree gives you the scientific knowledge and practical experience to work with people in active, health-focused environments around the world:

Career support that follows you from day one: UCD’s Careers Network works closely with students in health and sport science, offering one-to-one career guidance, CV and interview coaching, and access to employer events that connect you directly with organisations in sport, fitness, health and wellness.
Real-world work experience: As part of this degree, you complete a structured work placement in Ireland or abroad, giving you hands-on experience in sports clubs, fitness centres, health organisations or performance labs — a huge advantage when applying for jobs.
Strong industry connections: UCD has long-standing links with sports teams, schools, health agencies, gyms and performance organisations, allowing students to gain practical exposure and build professional networks while still studying.
A degree with long-term value: This program is delivered within UCD’s respected School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, giving your qualification strong credibility with employers in health, sport and exercise science sectors worldwide.
Excellent graduate pathways: Graduates go on to work in areas such as sport performance, health promotion, fitness and wellbeing, or move into further professional training and postgraduate study, showing how flexible and powerful this degree really is.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, many students continue with Master’s programs in Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, Sport and Exercise Science, Public Health, or Sport Management. Others progress into professional training pathways such as physiotherapy or clinical exercise science, or move into research-based postgraduate study if they want to work in high-performance sport, healthcare or academia.