Engineering better care
People from engineering, medicine, public health and many other fields, working together to improve health and care.
MSt in Healthcare Innovation
A three-year, part-time Master of Studies for people in medicine, engineering and related fields.
- PgCertYear 1
- PgDipYear 2
- MStYear 3
Applications open late October 2026.
Events
News
All newsOur core tenets
What we teach in healthcare systems, and what sits behind everything the Centre does.
MSt in Healthcare Innovation
Our flagship programme. Three years, part-time, in three stages: PgCert, PgDip and MSt. Open to people from any technical or healthcare-related background.
Learn to innovate across engineering, design and healthcare
You study how healthcare systems work and the technologies used in them, then apply both to a research project of your own. Residential weeks in Cambridge, online sessions and self-directed study fit around a full-time job.
- Length
- Three years part-time, one stage a year. Breaks are allowed, up to eight years in all.
- Awards
- PgCert, PgDip, MSt. You leave with the highest you complete.
- Your time
- About one day a week.
- Course Director
- Professor James Ward
What you gain
- Systems understandingHow local, national and global healthcare systems work, and where technology fits.
- A shared languageThe vocabulary and mindset to work between medicine, engineering and commercial settings.
- Leadership skillsSystems leadership, and using technology to deliver value in healthcare, research and business.
- Industry contextWorkshops, seminars and projects with industrial partners.
- Sound practiceThe practical and ethical questions behind improving care and developing biomedical technology.
- A networkClassmates from health, engineering and industry who will lead in this field.
Pathway
Each stage stands on its own. You leave with the highest award you complete.
How it works
- Your time
- About one day a week across the year, in peaks and troughs. It is built to fit around full-time work.
- Residential weeks
- Each PgCert and PgDip unit has a week in Cambridge. Attendance is required.
- Between weeks
- Supervisions, usually online, plus online lectures and resources.
- How you are taught
- Lectures, seminars, small-group teaching, guest speakers, workshops, practicals, case studies and team-building sessions.
- Assessment
- A written report for each unit. Units 1, 3, 4 and 6: one report of 3,000 to 4,000 words. Units 2 and 5: three short reports of four pages each.
- Moving on
- Pass the year to progress. The PgCert and PgDip each work as a stand-alone course.
The MSt year
A research project of your own, on a topic in scientific, medical, social or business innovation in healthcare.
- Dissertation
- 10,000 to 12,000 words. It can use primary or secondary data, or be a systematic review, quantitative or qualitative.
- Planning report
- Up to 3,000 words. It sets your research in the context of future trends and shows how a systems approach shapes innovation.
- Supervision
- A project supervisor, monthly online meetings, and group seminars on research skills.
- In Cambridge
- Short visits to present your plan and, later, your findings. Other year groups are invited to the final presentations.
- Assessment
- The planning report and the dissertation, each with an oral presentation.
- Joining
- For current or deferred PgDip students who passed the PgCert year. You apply separately for the MSt and for a Cambridge College. The College fee is included in the course fee.
Dates and fees
2026–27. Fees are per year.
| Stage | In Cambridge | Home | Overseas |
|---|---|---|---|
| PgCert | 28 Sep to 2 Oct 2026 11 to 15 Jan 2027 19 to 23 Apr 2027 | £6,325 | £11,605 |
| PgDip | 28 Sep to 2 Oct 2026 11 to 15 Jan 2027 19 to 23 Apr 2027 | £6,325 | £11,605 |
| MSt | Two 2-day visits Sep 2026 to Aug 2027 | £6,325 | £11,605 |
Entry requirements
- Who it suits
- New graduates and mid-career professionals from any technical or healthcare-related background.
- Degree
- First or upper second class honours, or equivalent. Usually life sciences, medical sciences, computing or engineering. Other backgrounds considered.
- Language
- Non-native speakers need an English language test. Requirements
- Visas
- Overseas students attend on a Student Visitor visa. Student visa sponsorship is not available. Guidance
In their words
From our first cohort after their first week in Cambridge, and from people in industry.
Students
Industry
Applications open late October 2026.
- New students apply for the PgCert.
- MSt places are for PgDip students who passed the PgCert.
- The MSt application fee is £85, refunded when you start.
Biomedical Campus site
Additional premises for the Centre on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, used occasionally.
Centre for Engineering Better Care
The CEBC is our space in the Clifford Allbutt Building. The Centre is based at the Engineering Design Centre.
CEBC websiteCambridge CB2 0AH
Manager: Professor James Ward
Research
Research groups and partners in the Centre.
Research groups
Special interest groups
Smaller collaborations across the Centre, formed around a topic or a project.
Past special interest groups
Partners
Groups are from the Engineering Design Centre. To be confirmed, with more to be added.
People
People involved in the Centre.
Researchers and more people to be added.
News
News from the Centre and the MSt.
Contact
Applications, course content and visiting.
- General enquiries
HIP-admin@eng.cam.ac.uk- Course content
healthcare-course-director@eng.cam.ac.uk- Telephone
+44 (0)1223 332600
CHI Cambridge
Engineering Design CentreDepartment of Engineering
University of Cambridge
Trumpington Street
Cambridge CB2 1PZ
Report to reception in the Baker Building.
How to find usCHI South
Centre for Engineering Better CareClifford Allbutt Building
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 0AH