A four-year MEng in Bioengineering, H160
Imperial says the course teaches students to engineer biological systems to solve challenges in health and wellbeing. It lasts four years and is delivered by the Department of Bioengineering at White City.
Undergraduate · Imperial Molecular Bioengineering
Imperial Molecular Bioengineering MEng: engineering at the molecular scale
Imperial's Molecular Bioengineering MEng teaches students to engineer biological systems, combining a life scientist's laboratory expertise with an engineer's problem-solving skills. It asks for A*AA with an A* in Mathematics and an A in Chemistry, or 39 IB points, uses no admissions test and may invite applicants to an online interview. Imperial's Biomedical Engineering course asks for Physics where this one asks for Chemistry, so the difference is not only the syllabus but the subject combination that opens the door.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Imperial asks for in Molecular Bioengineering
Taken from Imperial's Molecular Bioengineering MEng course page and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Imperial's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
A*AA with Mathematics and Chemistry, or 39 IB points
The minimum A-level standard is A*AA to include A* in Mathematics, A in Chemistry and A in a third subject. The IB standard is 39 points with 6 in Mathematics, Chemistry and a third subject at Higher Level.
Typical offers are higher
The typical offer is A*AA to A*A*A, and 40 IB points. Imperial says typical offers can be higher than the minimum.
No admissions test
Imperial says the department does not use a test as part of its selection process.
An online interview may follow
You may be invited to an online interview if your application suggests you will meet the entry requirements and shows interest and motivation.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Imperial's Molecular Bioengineering MEng course page, which describes 2027 entry. Imperial's Department of Bioengineering pages, the Biomedical Engineering page itself, fees, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
A life scientist's lab skills with an engineer's design thinking
Imperial describes combining the scientific understanding and laboratory expertise of a life scientist with the technical knowledge and problem-solving skills of an engineer, to address health and wellbeing, personalised medicine and new biomedical technology industries. The first year has core modules in medical and biochemical science, molecules and energetics, mathematics and engineering, computer fundamentals and programming, and design and professional practice. The third year includes probability and statistics, a bioengineering group project, biomaterials and the foundations of synthetic biology. In the fourth year students spend six months on an individual project and choose optional modules such as advanced synthetic biology. Practical wet and dry labs use real-world projects in medicine and biology.
Which bioengineering course?
Molecular Bioengineering or Biomedical Engineering?
Avandy's Imperial Biomedical Engineering guide covers the other Bioengineering degree. Both are MEng courses with similar overall grades, but the subject requirement differs.
Choose Molecular Bioengineering if
you are drawn to engineering with molecules, cells and synthetic biology, and Chemistry is one of your strongest subjects.
Choose Biomedical Engineering if
Physics is your strong subject and your interest is in engineering for medical devices and systems. It asks for A in Physics in place of Chemistry.
Consider Biochemistry or Biotechnology if
your interest is in the molecular science itself rather than engineering. Avandy has guides to both.
Entry rules
Mathematics and Chemistry, no test, and selection by application
The A-level standard is A*AA with an A* in Mathematics, an A in Chemistry and an A in a third subject; typical offers run from A*AA to A*A*A. The IB standard is 39 points with 6 in Mathematics, Chemistry and a third subject at Higher Level, and the typical IB offer is 40 points. There is no admissions test. Selectors consider examination results already gained and predicted, motivation and understanding of the field, potential for leadership and teamwork, interests and the referee's report, and may invite you to an online interview. The page shows 7 applications for every place for 2025; that is a historical ratio, not a requirement or a prediction.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Imperial's.
Do you want to engineer biology, not only study it?
The degree is an MEng with design, group and individual projects as well as science.
Is Chemistry in your plan?
It is required alongside Mathematics, whereas Biomedical Engineering asks for Physics.
Can you show interest and motivation?
With no test, your statement, references and any interview carry the selection.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Imperial has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Imperial published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Imperial has not yet published it.
Grades, the Mathematics and Chemistry requirement, the absence of a test and the interview policy: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Imperial has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and interview arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Imperial's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm Mathematics and Chemistry, read about synthetic biology and prepare a statement that shows genuine interest.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Imperial College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, mathematics, chemistry and biology mentoring and ethical interview practice; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not supply interview questions. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Imperial Molecular Bioengineering entry requirements?
A*AA at A level including an A* in Mathematics and an A in Chemistry, or 39 IB points with 6 in Mathematics and Chemistry at Higher Level. This is Imperial's wording for 2027 entry.
Is there an admissions test?
No. Imperial says the department does not use a test as part of its selection process.
Is there an interview?
You may be invited to an online interview if your application suggests you will meet the entry requirements and shows interest and motivation.
How is it different from Biomedical Engineering?
Both are Bioengineering MEng degrees. Molecular Bioengineering requires Chemistry; Biomedical Engineering requires Physics.
How long is the course?
Four years, with a six-month individual project in the fourth year.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Imperial's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Imperial publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Imperial Molecular Bioengineering
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Mathematics and Chemistry, how they see biology and engineering fitting together and what interest they can show, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.