Medical Device Design

What to Expect

The MSc in Medical Device Design is a one-year full time taught masters delivered in NCAD in conjunction with UCD and TCD. The course is based in a dedicated Medical Device Design Studio on the NCAD campus. The programme consists of a combination of taught modules and studio-based project work. Basic Medical Science is taught at TCD, while modules covering Research Methods, Human Factors, and Fundamentals of Medical Device Design are delivered at NCAD. Bioinstrumentation is provided by the team of the Medical Physics Department in St James’s Hospital. Fundamentals of Medical Device Design modules cover diverse topics from the History of Medicine to Biomechanics and Biomaterials. In parallel with the taught modules, a series of studio-based projects are run at NCAD in conjunction with industrial and clinical partners. Industry partners include US multinationals with a base in Ireland along with Irish start-up companies.



In all cases, the design briefs are on live industry projects on which the companies are working. Students present their work to engineers and scientists from the companies at the research, concept and final design stage. This is a great opportunity for students to produce significant work in a real world product design and development environment. Feedback from industry, tutors and practitioners is an invaluable part of the learning process.



The creative, collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of medical device design is emphasised. Students from different disciplines share their research in the early stage of each project. Each student generates their own concepts and final designs, learning how to generate creative ideas and how to analyse and validate them in an iterative cycle of analysis and synthesis. This is all done in a supportive studio environment where peer-to-peer learning is facilitated.



Opportunities to Engage

Industry partners include medical device companies such as Cook Medical, Hollister, Medtronic, Teleflex and Stryker along with leading research hospitals and institutes such as St. James’s Hospital (TCD), The Mater Hospital (UCD) and the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI). There are many opportunities for students to work with these companies, hospitals and other institutions during the course of the year.



Much of the work generated is proprietary to the companies we work with and cannot be placed in the public domain. However, having learned the process of medical device design in conjunction with industry partners, the students have an opportunity to put this knowledge to work on their own final projects. These can often be designed and developed in conjunction with clinicians and it gives the students an opportunity to develop their own products within the NCAD innovation and commercialisation framework. Since the programme’s inception, students have generated many patents and much of the work has progressed to further stages of development. Over the summer months students complete a self-directed major project and dissertation. Students complete the programme with a substantial portfolio of work.



Qualification



MSc Medical Device Design

90 ECTS credits/Taught Masters

Educational Standard

All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)



Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements may be considered on the basis of prior work or learning experience (RPEL). Candidates may be required to pass a qualifying examination set by the relevant department before being accepted to a Masters degree programme. Attendance at selected undergraduate lecture courses at NCAD, together with related written work may be prescribed.



You may apply for the programme if you are currently completing your Undergraduate Degree. NCAD will review the rest of your application If necessary, we can make you a Conditional Offer. When your degree is completed and you send us final transcripts we will upgrade this to a Full Offer.



Essential Supporting Documentation

A Statement of Interest - 500 words framing your reasons for applying to the programme. Please indicate a subject/discipline area that you believe can best advance your practice.



A recent CV



Certified transcripts of previous programmes followed



Certified copies of degree/ certificates and/or other appropriate third level qualifications bearing the official stamp of the institution.



Academic Reference (Head of School/Department preferred), or if you graduated more than 4 years' ago please submit an employer reference.



Some referees prefer to submit the reference directly to the college. If this is the case, please instruct your referee to email a standard reference to postgraduate@ncad.ie.



Please make sure all references contain the letterhead and the institution contact email address for the referee, as well as their job title.



Portfolio/Evidence of Previous Work

Applications for studio based programmes must be supported by visual documentation or other documentation that best represents your practice. Applicants are requested to upload a document via the online application with access to your portfolio. This document can include a link to an on-line portfolio or a link to a folder on Google Drive.



A portfolio is a collection of work that can showcase your abilities.This does not have to be a collection of drawings or design work but can be anything which shows your creative side or ability to collaborate. This could include but is not limited to an interest in making, hacking, ideation, collaboration etc . We would like to gain an understanding of your skillset and how you will work in a collaborative studio environment. Feel free to submit any material you feel showcases your visual and making skills and any materials that you feel is relevant to human centred medical design. We are also open to reviewing written work or documentation of a project that might be more theoretical or technical in nature.



Below is a list we have accepted over the years as an alternative to a design portfolio for review:



Undergraduate final year project thesis from different academic disciplines

Leaving Cert Art projects

Sketching or Art-work you have created as a hobby

Images of projects you undertook

Any posters work you have created

Leaving Cert DCG or technical drawings

Photos of anything you have built, fixed or hacked

If you are concerned about this part of the application process, the course coordinators are very happy to set up a call with you and help you navigate this part of the application process.



English Language Requirements

All programmes in NCAD are taught through English. International Applicants are asked to provide proof of their English Language Proficiency.



Full details of acceptable tests and the standard required can be found at the following link English Language Requirement.https://www.ncad.ie/study-at-ncad/international/english-language-requirement/

The priority deadline for applications is 19 February 2025

90 ECTS credits / Taught Masters

1 year full-time.

Programme commences September 2025

Graduates of the MSc in Medical Device Design are sought after in the medical device industry and design practices. While some graduates progress to register for a PhD, the majority go on to work in industry or design practice.



Recent graduates can be found working across medical device companies and design practices such as Design Partners, Movement, Cook Medical, Dyson, Hollister, Pfizer and Trulife.