An award-winning programme taught by leading scientists and academics central to the evolution of medical physics, medical engineering and clinical sciences. We offer in-depth instruction on physiological, analytical and fundamental aspects of the field. Our graduates are mostly employed in the NHS, others in leading academic institutions and industry. We also offer two related MSc programmes in Clinical Sciences.
KEY BENEFITS
- Award-winning students and Programme (10 awards)
- The department received an inaugural EU Leonardo da Vinci Award for its Medical Physics e-Learning and the IOMP Harold Jones Medal for excellence in Medical Physics teaching
- Delivered by more than 30 core lecturers. All of them are Full Members and Fellows of the Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) and many are leading national and international specialists.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
The majority of our students are employed during the first year of graduation. More than 70 per cent continue to work in healthcare and some are already established as leading specialists. The majority have been employed in the NHS; some have also been
employed in leading academic institutions and industry.
Programme leader/s
Dr Slavik Tabakov
Accreditation
UK Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). Some components approved by the Royal College of Radiology.
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 195/ECTS 97.5�
Duration
One year FT, two years PT, September to September.
Location
King's Denmark Hill Campus. Some lectures at the Institute of Cancer Research.
Year of entry 2012
Offered by
School of Medicine
Closing date
1 September
Intake
Approximately 12.
Fees
PT Home: £2800 (2012) (MSc)
PT Overseas: £8850 (2012) (MSc)
FT Home: £5600 (2012) (MSc)
FT Overseas: £17700 (2012) (MSc)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Dr Slavik Tabakov, tel 020 3299 3536/1650, fax 020 3299 1651.
Email
PURPOSE
For graduates of the physical and engineering sciences seeking a broad view of the field and wishing to specialise in medical physics/engineering. To integrate with training schemes leading to registration as a clinical scientist. To provide a sound knowledge of physical and engineering science applied to medicine.
DESCRIPTION
- The results of project EVETSIN (Department of Health, London, 1998) ranked the King's MSc Medical Engineering & Physics programme as the best in the UK.
- The 2005 National Healthcare Science Award Young Healthcare Scientist of the Year was received by one of our past students. A number of students have also won the prestigious prize from the Annual Conference of the UK Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) (2004, 2006, 2007).
- The department received an inaugural EU Leonardo da Vinci Award for our Medical Physics e-Learning (presented in Maastricht, Netherlands in 2004) and the IOMP Harold Jones Medal for excellence in Medical Physics teaching (presented at Seoul, South Korea in 2006).
- The MEP MSc programme is delivered by more than 30 core lecturers. All of them are Full Members and Fellows of IPEM and many are leading national and international specialists.
EXTRA PROGRAMME INFORMATION
The credentials of the MSc Medical Engineering and Physics (MEP) programme can be seen both from its national and international achievements / awards:
2001 - 1st prize for student/trainee presentation, IPEM Annual Conference (MSc MEP student Nicola Fry);
2004 - 1st prize for student/trainee presentation, IPEM Annual Conference (MSc MEP student Gemma Davies);
2004 - The inaugural EU Leonardo da Vinci Award for vocational education for our Medical Physics e-Learning materials EMERALD& EMIT (Maastricht, Netherlands);
2005 - UK Young Healthcare Scientist of the Year (MSc MEP student Nicola Fry);
2006 - 1st prize for student/trainee presentation, IPEM Annual Conference (MSc MEP student Joan Coward);
2006 - The IOMP Harold Jones Medal for Excellence in Teaching and International Education Leadership (Dr S Tabakov, MSc MEP Director);
2007 - Poster prize at IPEM Annual Conference (MSc MEP student Helen Grimes);
2009 - Poster Award at SPIE Conference, USA (MSc MEP student Ferihan Ertan);
2009 - King's Teaching Excellence Award (Dr S Tabakov, MSc MEP Director);
2010- UK Mercia Award for Medical Engineering (MSc MEP student Jonathan Noble)
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
Healthcare Science & Research Methods
Introduction to Medical Physics
or
Introduction to Medical Engineering
Radiation Physics for Imaging & Radiotherapy
or
Biomechanical & Clinical Measurements
Research Project
Indicative non-core content
- Computational Methods for Medical Imaging (optional)
- Management of Medical Equipment (optional)
- Physics of Medical Imaging with Ionising Radiation (optional)
- Physics of Medical Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation (optional)
- Radiation Safety (optional)
- Radiotherapy Physics (optional)
- Rehabilitation Engineering (optional)
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Day and block release attendance. Written examinations, assessment of coursework, project dissertation.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7MIGEP13
Credit level: 7
The aims of the module are to introduce students to the mathematical methods used in medical imaging, as well as to provide a collection of basic code, most likely in Matlab, which can be used to perform the main image reconstructions.
Module code: 7MIGEP07
Credit level: 7
The module will introduce the students following the Engineering options of the course to the various approaches to managing equipment. The aim of the course is to provide students with an insight into the problems and challenges of managing medical equipment within a healthcare system; to develop an awareness of the business process; to increase awareness of how maintenance of equipment is influenced by its design.
Module code: 7MIGEP10
Credit level: 7
The aims of the course are to educate students in the physics of medical imaging with ionising radiation and to equip them with knowledge of computed tomography, nuclear medicine and thematic topics relevant thereto (eg. the use computers/clinical applications).
Module code: 7MIGEP09
Credit level: 7
The aims of the course are to educate students in the physics of medical imaging with non-ionizing radiation (MRI and Ultrasund) and to equip them with knowledge of magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging and thematic topics relevant thereto (e.g. the use of computers/clinical applications).
Module code: 7MIGEP08
Credit level: 7
The course provides the necessary practical and theoretical background for the support of day-to-day Radiotherapy Physics activities. It is aimed primarily at recently qualified radiotherapy physicists, but should also be invaluable to post-graduate students, researchers, clinical oncologists, engineers, radiographers, representatives of allied commercial organisations and in fact, anyone wishing to deepen or update their understanding of both radiotherapy physics and radiotherapy in general. A brief overview is also provided of more research oriented techniques such as Monte-Carlo methods, multileaf collimators, stereotactic and conformal therapy.
The faculty is composed of physicists, clinicians and radiobiologists, many of whom are internationally renowned for their expertise. Saturday workshops and demonstrations make full use of the facilities of the Radiotherapy and Physics Departments of the Royal Marsden NHS Trust. The course is reviewed annually in response to participants' suggestions and changing technology.
Module code: 7MIGEP05
Credit level: 7
The module aims to equip the student with a thorough theoretical understanding of issues addressed in the practice of rehabilitation engineering in a clinical environment.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
Minimum 2:1 degree in a physical or engineering science or equivalent or an overseas equivalent.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
We invite applications from 1 March 2012 onwards. Each application is assessed at least by two academics. Selection is on the basis of an application form and references. Applicants may be interviewed in person, by telephone or by alternative arrangements.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Please provide information to support your application (work experience, conference/seminar presentations, other interest in medical physics/engineering etc) and a list of the optional modules you are most interested in.
FUNDING
The London NHS Region provides funding for a limited number of trainee clinical scientists (through a separate NHS application). Other students are self-funded.
Student profiles
Medical Engineering & Physics MSc/PG Dip
The MSc in Medical Engineering & Physics is a vocational course which covers all aspects of medical physics and engineering, both practical and theoretical. The programme is based at King's College Hospital's Department of Medical Engineering and Physics and it has been an invaluable experience to observe the workings of the department first hand. I have been able to get a lot of work experience with them which has led me to decide on my final career path.
I am self funding my studies, however a proportion of the students on my programme are employed by the NHS as trainee clinical scientists and are studying as part of the training scheme. During this year I decided to apply for a clinical scientist position within the NHS and have been offered a post to begin in September at the Royal Free Hospital. The department staff could not have been more helpful during my job application process and I will always be grateful for their support and guidance.
One of the highlights of the course has been the optional modules held and taught at the Institute of Cancer Research at various hospitals throughout London. This has been a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the leaders in medical physics and scientists that have been pivotal in the evolution of the industry. We are taught and able to discuss the current issues and the latest techniques and technologies that are available by the people who design them.
Medical Engineering & Physics MSc/PG Dip
King’s College London was my first choice for many reasons: academic excellence, internationally renowned programmes, excellent reputation for graduate employment and most importantly the high quality of the MSc programme.
Among the most attractive and unique features of King’s, the high quality of teaching, supervision and guidance enhance our competencies both academically and professionally. King’s location in the heart of London is a bonus, offering professional and social benefits. Being in London as a student is quite amazing as it’s a place of great choice.
My programme offers an enormous scope to gain theoretical and practical knowledge in all aspects of engineering and physics in medicine. One of the highlights of the programme has been the optional modules taught at the Institute of Cancer Research and various hospitals around London.
Being a self-funded student, the partial scholarship awarded by the Graduate School has immensely assisted me financially. Studying at King’s has been an invaluable opportunity of advancing my expertise. It is one of the top universities and lives up to the expectations of any student. King’s will not only provide me with a globally recognised degree, but also opportunities to improve professional and personal competencies which will make me stand out from the rest.