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Medical Electronics & Digital Health (MSc)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
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Study Medical Electronics & Digital Health

Course Overview

The MSc in Medical Electronics & Digital Health provides students with a combination of electrical/electronic/computer skills relevant to digital and connected health: software development; signal processing and machine learning; electronic circuit design; digital systems design; introduction to regulatory considerations.

Indicative Programme Learning Outcomes

At the end of this program, students will be able to:

(1) Develop critical thinking skills problem-solving skills appropriate to electronic/computer-based medical device design.

(2) Design and develop signal processing algorithms for the analysis of a range of bioelectronic signals, e.g. ECG, EEG.

(3) Select appropriate machine learning strategies for applications in digital health and develop diagnostic support systems for such applications.

(4) Design electronic circuits for a range of sensing applications in medical applications.

(5) Develop a range of transferable skills, including e.g. project management, research methods, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

(6) Apply domain-relevant design standards for the design of electronic systems for medical applications.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Applicants must submit a filled out Electrical and Electronic Engineering Project FormElectrical and Electronic Engineering Project Form to the 'Other Documents' section of the application form.

Who Teaches this Course

Indicative list of those teaching the course: 

Edward Jones (Engineering)

Peter Corcoran (Engineering)

Adnan Elahi (Engineering)

Liam Kilmartin (Engineering)

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Application to the programme is open to individuals who have Second Class Honours, Grade 1 (H2.1) or equivalent in a Level 8 BE, BSc or equivalent degree in Electrical/Electronic/Computer Engineering, or Computer Science, from a recognised university or third-level college. Applications from those holding a primary degree in a cognate discipline (e.g. biomedical engineering with a substantial electrical engineering content) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Factors taken into account in determining admission will include the specific content of the undergraduate degree, the applicant’s performance, post-graduate industrial experience, and the availability of places.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year (12 months)

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

MDE1

Course Outline

The MSc in Medical Electronics & Digital Health is a 90 ECTS (Credits) programme, which includes a taught component of 60 ECTS (delivered in Autumn and Spring Semesters), with a Research Thesis of 30 ECTS, on a state-of-the-art topic in medical electronics/digital health technology undertaken over the entire year of the programme. 

All students must complete the Research Thesis component. Students also choose from a number of advanced discipline-specific technology modules covering topics such as: signal and image processing, embedded systems and Internet of Things design, communications technologies, electronic circuit design, sensor systems, and artificial intelligence. Students must select modules with a combined credit weighting of 45-50 ECTS.

A range of Engineering “Transferable Skills” modules enable students to develop skills in business, innovation, regulatory and research methods, while also providing options for training in advanced mathematical techniques and information technology. These modules will prepare students for lifelong learning and development in a professional engineering career, either in industry or in a research environment. Students must choose 10-15 ECTS of modules from the Transferable Skills category.

Indicative list of discipline-specific modules (note: The specific range of modules from which students may choose may vary from year to year, depending on module availability, and student demand):

Bioinstrumentation Design I
Bioinstrumentation Design II
Mobile Device Technologies
UX Design for Wearable Electronics
Smart Devices for Connected Health
Internet of Things Systems Design
Digital Signal Processing
Machine Learning
Embedded Image Processing
Embedded Computer Vision
Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Digital Health
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Applications
Applied Circuit Design for Medical Electronics
Introduction to BioStatistics
RF Technologies in Medical Devices
Computer Security & Forensic Computing
Mobile Networks: Architecture and Services

Indicative List of Transferable Skills modules:

Financial management
Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Research Methods for Engineers
Lean Systems
Project Management
Safety Engineering
Introduction to Sustainability

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

With the increasing need for “intelligence” in medical devices, including developments in implantable and wearable devices, there is a growing demand for professionals who can design, implement, and manage these systems. The programme syllabus has been developed with input from the medical device industry (which is highly concentrated in the Galway region), which has emphasised the need for graduates with strong electronic and computer engineering skills, as well as relevant knowledge of how these skills can be applied in medical device development. The programme will allow students to explore cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, communications systems, and sensor technologies, and learn how these are contributing to advancements in healthcare practices. The course offers many career opportunities in a range of high-tech industries, in both multi-national and small/medium sized companies. While you will exit the programme with skills that are applicable in many areas, the programme aims to give you a “fast track” to a career in the medical device industry, where you will contribute electrical, electronic and computer engineering design skills in the design of future generations of medical devices.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,750 p.a. (€8,890 including levy) 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€8,750 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€28,000 p.a. (€28,140 including levy) 2025/26

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.