A major chosen by the end of sophomore year
Yale says every student begins undeclared and has until the end of sophomore year to choose from over 80 majors.
Undergraduate · Yale College
Yale Biomedical Engineering: a major with four tracks, entered after arrival
Yale College admits students without a declared major, and Biomedical Engineering is one of its engineering majors, taught in the School of Engineering & Applied Science with close links to the School of Medicine. The department describes a curriculum of core courses, a year-long laboratory sequence, a track of at least three courses and a senior project. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are how this major is entered, what it contains and what Yale requires of every applicant. This guide claims no direct admission to Biomedical Engineering.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Yale says about Yale Biomedical Engineering
Taken from Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages and Yale Engineering's Biomedical Engineering undergraduate page, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Yale's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Four tracks
Students take at least three courses in one track: Biomedical Imaging, Biomechanics, Systems Biology or Biomolecular Engineering.
Research from the first year
A year-long laboratory sequence introduces quantitative techniques, and semester-long Special Projects are open as early as the first year.
A senior project
Students choose a research project; past projects include disease-diagnostic machine learning and stem cell therapies.
The SAT or ACT is required
Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test; international applicants meet the same requirements.
Official sources
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Majors & Academic Programsadmissions.yale.edu
- Yale Engineering: Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Studyengineering.yale.edu
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Standardized Testingadmissions.yale.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages and Yale Engineering's Biomedical Engineering undergraduate page, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Yale's course catalogue, the Biomedical Engineering requirements and roadmap pages, deadlines and financial aid were not read, and the pages do not mention A-levels or the IB by name and are not stated.
The major
What the department says the major contains
Yale Engineering describes Biomedical Engineering as blending the School of Engineering & Applied Science with the School of Medicine, with a mission in imaging, biomechanics, systems biology and biomolecular engineering. The core courses named are Physiological Systems, Biocomputation, Biomechanics, Biosignals and Biotransport. The curriculum adds a year-long laboratory sequence, a track of at least three courses, a Senior Seminar and a Senior Project. The page read does not give the full requirement list, so this guide does not.
Is it the right major?
Biomedical Engineering or a neighbouring route
Yale describes each as its own major, so the choice comes after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Biomedical Engineering fits if
you want engineering methods applied to physiology and health, with early laboratory work.
Another engineering or science major fits if
you prefer to specialise in one engineering discipline or in biology. Yale's majors page lists them separately.
A UK Biomedical Engineering degree fits if
you already know the subject: UK courses admit you to it; Yale admits you to the College.
Testing and qualifications
SAT or ACT required; A-levels and the IB are not named
Yale requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores and has no preference between them. International applicants complete the same application with the same requirements. The pages read do not mention A-levels or the IB by name, and this guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Yale's.
Which track attracts you?
Imaging, biomechanics, systems biology and biomolecular engineering are different kinds of work.
Are you comfortable choosing the major later?
Yale students are undeclared until the end of sophomore year.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT?
Yale requires one of them for first-year applicants.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Yale's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Yale's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Yale has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Yale for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the department's undergraduate page and plan the SAT or ACT.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Yale College 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 is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Yale College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Yale Biomedical Engineering?
The pages read describe admission to Yale College. Students begin undeclared and choose a major by the end of sophomore year.
What are the tracks?
Biomedical Imaging, Biomechanics, Systems Biology and Biomolecular Engineering; students take at least three courses in one.
Is there research?
The department describes a year-long laboratory sequence, semester-long Special Projects from the first year and a Senior Project.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test.
Does Yale name A-levels or the IB on these pages?
No. The pages read do not mention them by name.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Yale's wording with no entry-year label. Check Yale's pages again when Yale publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Yale Biomedical Engineering
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics and science, which track interests them and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.