Biomedical Engineering - Perpectives and Insights
Texto Introdutório
About the Association
Since 2013, the Association of engineering Students in Biomedical Specialism of Polytech Lyon kept growing. At the heart of the momentum of the biomedical engineering specialism, new projects are regularly born, led by students who are more motivated than ever. In line with previous mandates, the board members are committed to maintaining the professional image of the sector in all its projects. This year, our goal is to bring to light the power of Polytech’s network in the biomedical field by creating an annually updated directory of former students and their professional careers. Moreover, we aspire to promote interconnection with other specialities of the school by inviting them to actively participate in all our initiatives.
Drawing on the experience of its projects, APLEB helps bring great visibility to the Polytech Lyon school in the professional world through numerous meetings. The association is also keen to encourage student initiatives, by remaining attentive to the needs of new promotions and promoting new projects.
As of today, the association brings together 5 projects :
- Le Ptit Biomed ® (The Lil Biomed) : Created in 2011, this project is a long term collaboration between The APLEB and the AFIB (French Association of Biomedical Engineers), conducted by the students from the biomedical engineering specialism, sums up all of the AFIB’s days in a guide. Every year, the AFIB hosts a congress, which gathers together biomedical engineers, companies and professionals from the medical field. Once the guide is written and printed, it’s given out to all the members of the AFIB and also some companies willing to have a copy. To carry out and promote The Lil Biomed, the association collaborates also with the SantExpo trade fair, where students shoot interviews with professionals in the health field that attend the fair for the online promotion of SantExpo. This exhibition takes place every year in Paris and brings together players in the health and medico-social sector: health professionals, decision-makers, researchers, startups and associations, companies, etc.
- Biom’aide (Biom’aid) : Initiated in April 2019, this project aims to provide development assistance in the biomedical field in Senegal. For this, we collaborate with the Horizons Sahel association. The team organizes medical devices collections in hospitals in order to send them to Senegal. We also organize a humanitarian internship in Senegal. Before their departure, student volunteers benefit from 10 days of technical training on device maintenance. During this internship, students help with the maintenance and repair of devices in hospitals. They also participate in the optimization and organization of the technical service and provide monitoring of the devices.
- Les Ateliers Biomédicaux (Biomedical Workshops) : Created in 2013, the biomedical workshops set up fun workshops to allow students to have privileged contact with companies, through enriching meetings and interviews with professionals. Companies come to the school to present their equipment, their mission and sector of activity.
- La Minute Biomed (The Biomed Minute) : The team behind this project produces a monthly newsletter, sent to more than 1,000 professionals and students, on technological monitoring in the biomedical world.
- Le Guide du GBM (The Biomedical Guide) : This project was launched in June 2023. It aims to communicate summary sheets on services in hospitals, medical devices or even biomedical engineering professions. This guide is intended to be shared with new students in the sector in order to facilitate their integration into their various internships and missions at the hospital.
Biomedical Engineering in Your Country/City
The biomedical field in France is generally well perceived and recognized, particularly in booming sectors such as robotics and Research and Development (R&D). These fields are particularly valued because of their potential to revolutionize the world of health. However, in the hospital environment, the biomedical service remains unknown and insufficiently recognized by other services.
Regarding education, some big French engineering schools offer specialized training in biomedical engineering. For example, schools such as Polytech Lyon, Polytech Marseille, l’Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC) or l’Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) offer curriculums which lead to an engineering degree, recognized by the CTI, the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieurs (in english: the accreditation authority for French professional engineer). They provide a solid background in engineering science, completed by a specialization in biomedical technologies.
Yet, biomedical engineering is not always easily accessible. Indeed, the schools offering this specialty are, for the large majority, private (which implies higher tuition fees than in public schools).
Finally, many French universities offer master’s degrees in biomedical engineering. These programs are often very specialized and focused on research or clinical applications. However, although these master’s degrees are of a high level, they do not give access to the title of engineer in France, which can be an obstacle for students wishing to obtain equivalent professional recognition.
There is however a tendency to strengthen collaborations between engineering schools and universities to offer integrated courses which make it possible to obtain both an engineering diploma and a specialized master’s degree.
We can therefore say that the biomedical field in France has a promising future, it is booming, but there is still progress to be made.
In France, biomedical engineering is driven by a strong network of companies, universities, and research centers. Leading institutions include INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) and the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), which conduct cutting-edge research in medical technologies, imaging, and biomaterials. Prestigious universities and hospitals, such as Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, and the Institut Pasteur, also play a major role. On the industrial side, companies like bioMérieux (diagnostics), Sanofi (biopharmaceuticals), and Guerbet (medical imaging) are at the forefront, alongside innovative startups in medtech and digital health supported by clusters such as Medicen Paris Region. This ecosystem makes France a recognized leader in biomedical engineering research and innovation.
Biomedical Engineering Degree and Main Areas
The courses offered vary depending on the school. Overall, we mainly find medical imaging, biomechanics, electronics and robotics. For example, at Polytech Lyon, our courses are more oriented towards the research and development of medical devices, and we have virtually no biomechanics courses. We acquire very broad knowledge on a large part of the biomedical fields (computer science, electronics, imaging, radiation physics, engineering profession, project management,etc.)
How the course is structured (if it includes mandatory internships) :
From an overall point of view, for engineering schools, the course takes 5 years, with 2 years of preparatory class, often general (maths, physics, chemistry), followed by 3 years of specialism.
At Polytech Lyon, courses are divided into – practical work, tutorials (application exercise) and lectures. In addition, we have 3 mandatory internships to complete during our 3 years of specialization:
- between the third and fourth year, 7 weeks in a hospital environment (technician or assistant engineer)
- 16 weeks during the first semester of 4A (4th year) in the desired field (assistant engineer)
- 24 weeks in the second semester of the 5A (5th year), in the field you want (engineering internship)
During our years of specialization it’s compulsory to undertake mobility abroad (5 months), either in the form of an internship or in the form of a university exchange (ERASMUS). We can therefore complete it either in 4A during our internship semester, or in 5A in the first semester (ERASMUS), or during the second semester internship.
Still at Polytech Lyon, during the 5th year, several courses are available:
- MISS double degree: focused on research methods and development. It allows you to acquire knowledge in order to complete a potential thesis.
- ATRDM double diploma: it allows you to acquire notions of regulations relating to medical devices. The courses are mainly focused on the manufacturing standards to be respected, the regulations relating to use, maintenance, etc. Students can then work in an R&D center.
- ERASMUS: during the first semester of 5A, the student can go to a partner university in Europe or outside Europe
- Classic course: the student follows the 5A biomedical courses at Polytech Lyon during the first semester then goes on an internship
- Professionalization contract: traineeship program within a company for the full year (the student therefore does not complete an end-of-year internship). Alternation rhythm:
- 3 days at school and 2 days at work from September to February (first semester)
- 1 month in a company and 3 days at school from February to August (second semester)
How many years :
The biomedical engineer training lasts a total of 5 years and is governed by the CTI, two ways are possible:
Classic way:
- 2 years of preparatory class (general)
- 3 years of specialty with 3 compulsory internships (3A, 4A, 5A)
- mobility abroad
Other way:
- on file examination with a minimum BAC+2 (two-year higher education diploma) such as a bachelor’s degree, PACES (first-year common curriculum in health), DUT (two-year university degree in technology), radiographer’s degree, etc
- 3 years of specialism with 3 compulsory internships (3A, 4A, 5A)
- mobility abroad
Optional and mandatory courses :
At Polytech Lyon (optional and mandatory courses can vary from a school to an other) Optional courses (5A) :
- Professionalization contract
- Double master’s degree
- University exchange
Mandatory courses :
- Physics (electronics, radiation, computer science, acoustics, signal processing)
- Biomedical (imaging, anatomy, physiology, engineer careers, technical platforms)
- Company (management, project management, personal project, performance improvement)
- Mobility abroad
- Language (TOEIC B2 = 785 pts)
- Societal actions
Mobility Programs
Does your university accept mobility students?
This program allows students to study for one semester at a partner university abroad, either through ERASMUS agreements (within Europe) or through bilateral agreements outside Europe (such as in North America, Latin America, or Asia). During the exchange, students remain enrolled at Polytech Lyon and only pay tuition fees there. The academic semester completed abroad is fully recognized through credit transfer. Study mobility is currently allowed during the 3rd year of the engineering cycle. Students must prepare a learning agreement approved by their academic coordinator before departure, and credit validation is based on the transcript provided by the host university. Language requirements vary depending on the destination. For example, the TOEFL test is required for countries like the United States or New Zealand. Language courses are also offered at Polytech Lyon to help students prepare.
Are there mobility opportunities / exchange programs (short duration) promoted by your association as well?
We do not have exchange programs in the strict sense, but one of our projects offers the opportunity to live abroad for a month. This is our Biom’aide project, which can be seen as a humanitarian trip. After a 10-day training in Vendôme focused on the maintenance and repair of medical devices, students then leave in pairs to different hospitals in Senegal, where they contribute for one month.
Lifestyle in the Country
French gastronomy is varied and widely recognized throughout the world for its excellence. College towns are often bustling with bars, cultural venues and other places to have fun. There are also Facebook groups for the integration of international students. France is a country with many different landscapes and a diversity of regions, ideal for weekend visits or vacations:
- Sea, mountains, lakes, forests (to ski, hike or go to the beach…)
- Castles, little picturesque villages, major tourist cities (tours, shopping, restaurants…)
- Mostly hot climate in the south.
- Mostly cold climate in the north.
Internships/Research
As mentioned in the previous sections, the biomedical engineering students have to do internships (or eventually traineeship in the last year). Most of the time, students have to find them independently, especially the ones abroad. Nevertheless, the university regularly receives internship and traineeship offers that are relayed to the students. Also, the university has an online platform where offers are published. Polytech Lyon organizes an annual companies’ fairs in the university. Companies are invited for one day to exchange with the students in order to promote themselves and eventually hire interns and trainees among the students. The high majority of the graduates stay in France to work. It’s pretty easy to integrate companies and hospitals after studying in an engineering school, as the degree is well recognised in France. We also mentioned it earlier, it’s a country where the healthcare industry is always growing. As a result, students tend to stay in the country at least for their first job and for some for their entire career.
About the Association
BEAM (Biomedical Engineering And More) is the student association for all Bachelor’s and Master’s students studying Biomedical Engineering at Ghent University (UGent) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium. Throughout the year, we organize a variety of events — including lectures, networking evenings, company visits, social activities including a quiz — all centered around the dynamic field of Biomedical Engineering. We also aim to build a direct connection between students and companies in the biomedical sector, helping to bridge the gap between our students and industry.
In the past, we’ve collaborated with the Junior Orsi Academy, an organization that hosts events for students from various disciplines, including Biomedical Engineering and Medicine. Looking ahead, we’re eager to strengthen ties with other student associations, both in Belgium and internationally, to expand our network and create more opportunities for our members.
Biomedical Engineering in Your Country/City
Since the launch of our Bachelor’s program in 2019, Biomedical Engineering has been gaining popularity in Belgium. Although some companies still find it challenging to fully grasp the broad skill set of a Biomedical Engineer, awareness and recognition are steadily growing as the program becomes more established and more of our graduates find their way to industry.
Career opportunities for biomedical engineers in Belgium are diverse, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the field and the strong link between academia, healthcare, and industry. After five years of study, graduates are equipped with both technical and analytical skills, enabling them to pursue a wide range of professional paths.
Some graduates decide to continue their academic journey by pursuing a PhD at a university or research institution, often contributing to cutting-edge innovation in medical imaging, biomaterials, AI applications etc.
On the job market, biomedical engineers are highly valued by both large corporate companies (e.g., Siemens Healthineers, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Pfizer) and SMEs or start-ups (e.g., Materialise, XEOS Medical, Clouds of Care, Indigo). Within these organizations, graduates can take up roles such as R&D engineer, application/field clinical specialist, project manager, or product developer.
Another important employment sector is the healthcare system itself, where biomedical engineers may work in hospitals, either as clinical engineers supporting medical technologies or as medical physicists involved in imaging, radiation therapy, and patient safety.
Beyond the biomedical sector, graduates also find opportunities in consultancy (e.g., Hict, Möbius, McKinsey), where they combine technical knowledge with strategic and organizational expertise. Some also work in government and public health institutions (e.g., Sciensano) as data scientists, supporting evidence-based healthcare policies. There are also specialized career tracks in regulatory affairs, for example at notified bodies or as Regulatory Affairs Managers, ensuring compliance with medical device and pharmaceutical legislation. Also some graduates take the entrepreneurial route by starting their own companies, often leveraging innovative biomedical technologies.
Finally, the broad skill set of biomedical engineers — including problem-solving, quantitative analysis, and systems thinking — also opens doors to non-biomedical industries. Alumni can be found in engineering companies (e.g., ArcelorMittal, Jan De Nul, Denys), general consultancy firms, administration, and even the banking sector, where analytical and organizational skills are highly valued.
Belgium has established itself as a strong player in the field of biomedical engineering, thanks to its combination of an entrepreneurial mindset, a vibrant start-up ecosystem, and the presence of internationally recognized companies.
On the industrial side, several global leaders in MedTech and pharmaceuticals have offices or R&D centers in Belgium, including Siemens Healthineers, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer. These multinational companies provide opportunities in medical devices, imaging technologies, and drug development, and they collaborate closely with hospitals and research institutes.
At the same time, Belgium is also home to numerous innovative start-ups and scale-ups in the MedTech sector. The Ghent area serves as a biotech and life sciences hub, where companies such as Biogazelle, Ablynx, and Argenx have emerged — many of them growing out of strong ties with Ghent University and its research parks. The city also hosts a dynamic ICT and health-tech ecosystem, supported by incubators and accelerators like iGent and Tech Lane Ghent Science Park, fostering innovation in AI, software, and medical technologies.
When it comes to research and technology development, Belgium is home to internationally renowned institutes such as imec (a world leader in nanoelectronics and digital health applications) and VIB (a leading life sciences research institute). These centers work at the crossroads of engineering, biotechnology, and medicine, driving forward advances in diagnostics, imaging, and personalized healthcare. Finally, the Antwerp region plays a pivotal role in the pharmaceutical industry, with a high concentration of pharma companies and production facilities that strengthen Belgium’s position as a global healthcare hub.
Biomedical Engineering Degree and Main Areas
Our program consists of a 3-year Bachelor and a 2-year Master in Biomedical Engineering. The Master’s program has been running for almost twenty years and is jointly organized by Ghent University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, making it an interuniversity program.
In 2019, a new Bachelor’s program in Biomedical Engineering was launched to complement the existing Master’s program. After a first general year of engineering, students can choose to specialize in Biomedical Engineering. This new structure ensures a smoother transition into the Master’s program and has contributed to raising its academic level. The Bachelor’s program includes only mandatory courses and has quickly become one of the largest engineering tracks within our faculty of engineering.
The Master’s program offers five main areas of specialization (listed below), and students can tailor their curriculum by selecting elective courses within one or more of these fields. This Master’s program consists of 120 ECTS credits, divided as follows: 58 credits for mandatory courses, 38 for electives, and 24 for the Master’s dissertation. The Master’s thesis is a capstone project in which students independently conduct a research project, applying advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to address a relevant topic in the field.
Mobility Programs
Does your university accept mobility students?
Yes, our Master’s program is fully taught in English, allowing international students to either join the full two-year program or come as Erasmus students for one semester or one academic year. Compared to other engineering programs at Ghent University, Biomedical Engineering attracts a very high number of international students, with nearly one-quarter of the student body coming from abroad.
Are there mobility opportunities / exchange programs (short duration) promoted by your association as well?
At BEAM, we strive to welcome international students as much as possible. One of our signature initiatives is the “Belgian Evening”, an event dedicated to our international community. During this evening, we serve classic Belgian fries and drinks, creating an informal and friendly atmosphere where international and Belgian students can connect. Beyond this, international students are warmly encouraged to join all our other activities, which are consistently held in English to ensure everyone feels included.
For Belgian students, there are also many opportunities to gain international experience. Our university strongly promotes mobility programs, with up to 60% of students graduating with international experience. The most common pathway is through an Erasmus exchange for one semester during the first or second year of the master’s program. In addition, students can also opt for a research internship abroad, further broadening their international exposure.
Lifestyle in the Country
Belgian people are generally very open and welcoming. Most locals speak good English, so international students usually won’t face language barriers as long as they’re comfortable speaking English.
Ghent is a charming city with medieval streets and beautiful architecture. It’s not only a great place for students but also a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. You can enjoy a drink on one of the cozy terraces, rent a boat to explore the river that flows through the city, or simply stroll through the lovely streets and soak in the atmosphere.
Don’t worry too much about the rainy weather! Belgium does have its share of rainy days, but these are balanced out by beautiful sunny days and cozy snowy ones throughout the year.
Also, keep in mind that many Belgian students who study in Ghent during the week often return to their hometowns on weekends. As a result, the city can be a bit quieter on weekends, which many international students actually appreciate, as it gives them a chance to relax with fewer people around.
The average monthly cost to rent a student room in Ghent, including utilities like water, electricity, heating, and internet, is around €540. This is somewhat higher compared to many other countries, but it reflects the quality and location of available housing.
At the start of each new semester, Ghent hosts a big event featuring live concerts and DJ performances. It’s a fantastic celebration that attracts a large crowd and serves as the perfect way to kick off the semester with fellow students.
Internships/Research
In our Master’s program, students can take an internship as an elective course worth three or six ECTS credits. These internships typically last about four weeks and take place during the summer vacation, which runs from early July to end September in Belgium.
Generally, students are expected to find internship opportunities themselves by reaching out to companies or research groups – associated with the university or with a hospital – in their area of interest. However, our professors are always ready to offer guidance and support whenever needed. Additionally, BEAM organizes two job fairs each year where students can meet company representatives and explore potential internship opportunities.
Our student association, BEAM, organizes networking events to help students connect with companies. Each academic year, we host two career and internship fairs: Company Day in the first semester and Biomedical Industry Day in the second semester.
During these events, students can visit booths hosted by participating companies and research groups to learn more about them and make direct contacts. We also offer CV screenings, one-on-one meetings with company representatives, and workshops led by industry professionals that showcase the technologies these companies develop and use.
Most graduates choose to stay in Belgium because there are many job opportunities available locally, but most jobs have a strong international component and involve travelling and collaborations with global partners. However, some opt to pursue further studies abroad or accept positions that require them to work internationally for extended periods.
About the Association
The CEGB is the committee representing the Biomedical Engineering Students at Polytechnique Montreal. It falls under the Student Association of Polytechnique (AEP) for all financial and legal matters. Our goal is split in 3 fields. Firstly, we offer team-building activities (social, sporting, artistic, etc.) between the biomedical engineering students as well as with other programs. This creates a sense of belonging between the students in the programme and allows them to socialize with many different people. Secondly, we act as a link to the biomedical industry by organizing networking events, conferences, company visits, industrial trips, etc. Third, we aim to take into consideration students’ academic life experiences. During open committee meetings we discuss the evolving improvements that need to occur in the program. The committee is composed of 10 people:
- President: Overlooks the entire functioning of the committee
- Treasurer: Handle all the money side of our committee
- External VP: Organizing conferences and industry student trips (New York, Boston, etc.), maintain relations with contacts, sponsorships
- Internal VP: Taking care of the biomedical student room, snacks, sofas, etc. Networking
- Event VP: Handle the yearly networking wine and cheese event with more than 50 companies and research laboratories.
- Social VP: Organize activities for all students to increase cohesion and exchange in a non educational environment
- Educational VP: Ensure that the academic life is up to standard and propose improvements for consequent years
- Marketing VP: Handle all communications to students about important events or information
- 1st-year representative: Direct liaison between the student committee and the first-year students to ensure efficient communication and proper integration into the program
- Industry VP: Chairman at the APIBQ which is the Association of physicians and biomedical engineers in Québec. The VP aims to clarify the knowledge and roles a biomedical engineer has acquired during his programme and to adapt the program to the needs in the field. Représent the CEGB at networking events in biomedical engineering in Montréal to broaden the committee’s contact list.
Do you collaborate with other international/ local associations?
Yes, we collaborate during the year with other committees at Polytechnique Montréal that represent different engineering students such as electrical, chemical and physics engineering. We also have collaborations with CUBEC which is the Canadian Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Council who organizes a yearly conference open to all universities in Canada that offer a Bachelors in Biomedical, Bioengineering or related fields.
Biomedical Engineering in Your Country/City
Any person that is not in the medical field is usually impressed by the title but does not understand what a biomedical engineer does. They ask follow up questions to try and understand better. Sometimes people get stuck on the “biomedical” part more than the “engineering” part, and think it is more related to biosciences, biology, and medicine.
However, anybody in the medical field is well acquainted with what a clinical biomedical engineer does as they work together or at least in the same space( hospital, Health centers and Rehabilitation institutes.
There is also a growing number of start-ups related to the biomedical engineering field in Montréal in particular. Due to these new companies the general publique is slowly getting acquainted with the new domain.
What are the main career opportunities for biomedical engineers in your country, and which areas are the most prominent?
- Clinical Engineering (hospitals)
- Research (biomaterials, modeling, and simulation…): a lot of companies encouraging research such as TransMedTech
- Consulting
- Entrepreneurship
- Engineering management
- Biomechanics
Which companies or research centers are currently leading the field of biomedical engineering in your country?
- Medtronic
- Zimmer Biomet
- Institut TransMedTech
- Baylis medical
- IRIC ( Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer)
- CHUM ( Centre hospitalier de l’université de Montréal)
- Montréal InVivo
- MILA
Biomedical Engineering Degree and Main Areas
How is the degree structured in terms of mandatory and optional courses, specialization options, and additional opportunities such as research projects or double degrees?
To begin, it is important to know that at Polytechnique, an engineering-only university, the Biomedical Engineering program is a collaboration between 5 departments : Electrical, Computer, Physics, Mechanical, and Chemical Engineering. Therefore, students will have the opportunity to explore classes in all these specialties and become multidisciplinary.
Secondly, the program is spread over 4 years (or 5 if you want to have fewer classes per semester), which includes 1 mandatory internship during the summer. The courses are in French, but some are available in English for Mobility students. To obtain your diploma, 120 credits must be completed, each class generally being 3 credits with a few exceptions. To be considered a full-time student, one must take between 12 and 15 credits per semester, equaling 4 or 5 classes. The internship is not included but represents 9 extra credits that you must do between 55 and 85 completed credits.
Essential information for European students, 1 credit in Montreal = 2 credits in Europe. class.
The fall semester is from the end of August till the end of December (ex.2024: Aug. 26th to Dec. 20th) including the examination period, and the Winter Semester is from the beginning of January to the beginning of May (ex.2025: Jan. 8th to May 6th).
The number of credits each class is worth is written in parentheses in the table.
Mobility Programs
Does your university accept mobility students?
Polytechnique Montréal has many different programs and aid for international students wanting to study at the university. There are currently 2900 international students that complete their bachelors, masters, doctorate or double degrees at Polytechnique Montréal this year. Every year this number increases due to the unique opportunity the university offers.
Are there mobility opportunities / exchange programs (short duration) promoted by your association as well?
Polytechnique Montréal has many collaborations with different universities across the world in which Polytechnique students can study abroad. Vice versa international students can study at Polytechnique whether they are completing a bachelors, masters, double degree or a specialization.
For more information visit: https://www.polymtl.ca/etudiants-internationaux/en/international-thematic-clusters-engineering
For Students applying in Undergraduate, Graduate and DESS programs: sep-international@polymtl.ca
For Exchange Students (short term mobility students): etudiant.echange@polymtl.ca
Lifestyle in the Country
How would you describe the lifestyle in your country/city to an international student?
We are perceived as welcoming, smiling and open-minded and I really feel this reality in my day-to-day life. Montreal is also a particularly inclusive city, it is very diverse and contains many different communities.
There is no beach or nearby city for friendly runaway weekends, but people often go hiking/walking in the forest or spend a few days in a cottage near a lake, since there are a lot as close as 30 min driving from Montreal. However weekend trips to small cities get you into nature while not being too far.
People spend a lot of time outside: at parks in the Summer, and skiing in the Winter. Winter is cold (-10°C to -20°C), but it is often sunny so it isn’t that bad. Layering clothing is a must. The best way to enjoy your time in the winter is by anticipating the weather. Thankfully cozy cafés and restaurants are a Montréal specialty. If you like to party there are many yearly festivals that are planned throughout the year whether it’s during the summer or winter.
Canada is quite materialistic compared to other countries in Europe. In the professional environment, it fits the American lifestyle (productive, effective) than in other countries where you enjoy life more and relax from time to time.
Quebec is a French-speaking Province in an Anglophone Country. Thus, learning some French before arriving would help , but know that everyone is bilingual and that you’ll manage in English for sure.
Do you have any tips or advice for students planning to study there?
Prepare in advance, look at forums(reddit), email the international student aid before you arrive and try getting in contact with an international student that moved to Montréal. The university can help with a lot of logistics such as housing, finance, insurance, health care. However, you need to know which documents are to be brought with you to apply. Montréal and Polytechnique are both very social environments, so I advise that you don’t be afraid to talk to people and put yourself out there.
What is the cost of living for students in your city (p/ month, for example)?
This budget is an estimation by the university and is the yearly costs in canadian dollars ($CAD):
University fees for international students – 30 645
Mandatory Health insurance for international students – 975 $
Dental insurance ( ASEQ) – 195 $
Health insurance (ASEQ) – 130 $
Immigration (temporary residence) – 500 $
Arrival from abroad (hôtel, meals, etc.) – 800 $
Winter clothing – 900 $
Furniture (if note furnished home) – 1 300 $
In university residence – 5 000 $
Accommodations With roomates – 8 400 $
Apartment without roomates – 12 000 $
Food and hygiene – 5 600 $
Transportation by metro and bus (student STM discount) – 678 $
Books and supplies – 1 000 $
Hobbies, entertainment, clothes, unexpected events – 2 500 $
Mobile telephone – 650 $
High speed internet – 650 $
What are the most popular student activities or traditions in your city/university?
Each university holds a week of initiation of new students. At Polytechnique there is also a mid-session and end of session party each semester. There is a Beach party that occurs every two years that is held at the university. To name a few iconic Montréal festivals there is Osheaga, Montréal international Jazz festival, Lasso, Îlesoniq, Francos, International food festival, Pocha and many others.
Internships/Research
How do students find internship opportunities in Biomedical Engineering? Are there university platforms, databases, or partnerships, or do students have to find them independently?
There are many aids to help find internships. There are consultants that can help edit a resumé or motivation letter with the students, there are also many workshops that explain how the internship application process works and there is a designated representative ( different for each year) that specialises in finding biomedical internships. The university also offers a private database called LaRuche that contains internship opportunities solely posted for Polytechnique Montréal students and that has filters for each field of engineering.
Are there university career fairs or events that help students connect with companies?
Polytechnique Montréal is a specialised university that only offers engineering programs therefore the community is very tightly knit. Every week, and this is not an exaggeration, there is some event that links students with companies and the domain. Whether it be the networking events, panels, workshops, company visits or our job fairs that occur every semester there is an event that helps students better their professional career and social network.
Do graduates from your university usually stay in the country or move abroad to work?
Most graduates do stay in Canada whether that be native Canadians or international students, the job opportunities are numerous and a lot of companies have facilities or factories in Canada. In Biomedical engineering some students move to the United States but as aforementioned most big companies have an office in Montréal.
About the Association
Brief description about your association. What are the main goals and activities of your association? And what types of events or initiatives do you usually organize?
We are the Griffith University Biomedical Student Association, We are a student organization, supported by Griffith University’s Student Resource Council (SRC) and our members. Our goals are to provide resources and opportunities to further the study and careers of our members and facilitate fun activities for our members.
Do you collaborate with other international/ local associations?
Yes, we are currently collaborating with Frasers, a GAMSAT (post-graduate test for entry into medicine) preparation company that provides resources and a paid course to help with preparation, we’re also collaborating with other clubs on campus for fun events like movie nights and games nights. For international collaboration, ANEEB is the first that our current executive has been involved in.
Biomedical Engineering in Your Country/City
How is biomedical engineering perceived in your country/city? And Is biomedical engineering a growing field in your country?
Biomedical engineering is viewed by most Australians as a very respectable field that most people know of, but do not know the details of, other than it is making great advances in applications that may affect them, like in medical treatment.
What are the main career opportunities for biomedical engineers in your country, and which areas are the most prominent?
In our city, Brisbane there are many opportunities for employment in research at universities and specialized research institutions and for working directly in medical service provision at hospitals.
Which companies or research centers are currently leading the field of biomedical engineering in your country?
RBH has a CAR T-cell program which employs graduates to train cancer patient T-cells to attack their cancer. QIMR Berghofer is a research institute in Brisbane, our capital city, which employs graduates in Biomedical engineering and sciences. Universities also have their own research departments, Griffith has IBG (Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics).
Biomedical Engineering Degree and Main Areas
How is the degree structured in terms of mandatory and optional courses, specialization options, and additional opportunities such as research projects or double degrees?
At Griffith, depending on the program which you entered into study with, you can do double degrees, Work integrated learning, semesters abroad, for science students, there is a requirement to do a research project or working in industry for at least 6 months in your 3rd year
Mobility Programs
Does your university accept mobility students?
Yes, we accept transfers, with credit given based on the individual’s circumstances, depending on previous educational institution you are applying from.
Are there mobility opportunities / exchange programs (short duration) promoted by your association as well?
There are many opportunities for international students to spend a portion of their degree here. Griffith University has many such programs advertised on their website. GUBSA will occasionally advertise such programs when we are asked to and if our executive believes them to be a benefit to our members
Lifestyle in the Country
How would you describe the lifestyle in your country/city to an international student?
Brisbane is a great place to be an international student, the people are friendly, the climate is mild, and there are many places for recreation not far from campus.
Do you have any tips or advice for students planning to study there?
Bus fares are very cheap now, plan your journeys and you will save a lot of money, make friends with a local who has a car for other off campus activities.
What is the cost of living for students in your city (p/ month, for example)?
Accommodation cost can vary a lot, between $1000-2000/month depending on whether you’re sharing a room or not, cost of food also varies, from $2-50/meal, prepare to spend at least $500/month on food.
What are the most popular student activities or traditions in your city/university?
There are many sport clubs, a bar on campus, there are also several great beachside destinations with a few hours commute from the university, there’s the Gold Coast to the South which is better for surfing, but more popular and expensive and the Sunshine Coast to the North which is less busy, but still not cheap.
Internships/Research
How do students find internship opportunities in Biomedical Engineering? Are there university platforms, databases, or partnerships, or do students have to find them independently?
There are many university based opportunities to intern with partnered companies, it is a requirement for many programs that you do internship or Work integrated learning. These are not automatic and require input from students as certain positions are more highly sought after
Are there university career fairs or events that help students connect with companies?
At least once every trimester there is some sort of career fair that businesses and government institutions that may be future employers are present at.
Do graduates from your university usually stay in the country or move abroad to work?
Most graduates will stay in the country for their career, but a significant proportion will spend at least some time working abroad.