Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 23, 2026, from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, publishing the modification of the curriculum for the Degree in Biomedical Engineering |
|---|---|
| Publication | August 15, 2026 |
| Effective date | August 15, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Current and future students of the Degree in Biomedical Engineering at UPCT |
| Category | Education |
| Total load | 240 ECTS |
| Implementation | Progressive from the 2026/27 academic year |
| Official source | BOE-A-2026-17832 |
The Degree in Biomedical Engineering at UPCT debuts a new curricular structure from the next academic year. The Resolution of July 23, 2026 publishes the official modification of the curriculum, with a technological orientation clearly focused on the digitalization of the healthcare sector: artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing and virtual reality enter as specific subjects of the degree.
For students already enrolled, MedTech sector companies that collaborate with the university or seek profiles of recent graduates, and for internship centers, this change has direct implications for the competency profile of graduates from 2026/27 onwards.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution sets the new credit distribution for the Degree in Biomedical Engineering at UPCT. The degree maintains the standard 240 ECTS for four-year degrees, but reorganizes and updates its content. The structure is as follows:
| Training block | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Basic training | 66 |
| Mandatory subjects | 150 |
| Optional subjects | 6 |
| External internships | 6 |
| Final Degree Project (TFG) | 12 |
| Total | 240 |
The most notable element of the new curriculum is the incorporation of specific biomedical engineering subjects with a marked technological profile. These are the new subjects expressly included in the resolution:
- Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Additive Manufacturing of Medical Products
- Virtual Reality
- Interoperability of Medical Equipment
Implementation will be progressive according to the schedule included in the degree documentation, beginning in the 2026/27 academic year. The resolution exhausts the administrative process: it may be appealed through a request for reconsideration within one month or through administrative litigation within two months from its publication.
Economic and operational impact
Although this resolution does not generate direct costs for companies or involve economic sanctions, it does have relevant operational consequences for several actors in the MedTech and healthcare ecosystem:
- MedTech sector companies and medical device manufacturers: new graduates will have specific training in additive manufacturing of medical products and interoperability of medical equipment, which expands the technical profile available in the labor market from 2030 onwards (when the first cohort trained entirely under the new curriculum graduates).
- Internship centers: with only 6 ECTS of mandatory external internships, companies collaborating with UPCT should assess whether their internship agreements adapt to the new structure and new competency profiles.
- Digital health and medical AI startups: the inclusion of Applied Artificial Intelligence as a specific subject makes UPCT graduates more competitive candidates for roles developing AI solutions in clinical environments.
- Current students: progressive implementation may create transition situations between the old and new curriculum. It is essential to consult with UPCT about the exact adaptation schedule for each year.
Who is affected?
- Future students entering the Degree in Biomedical Engineering at UPCT from the 2026/27 academic year onwards.
- Students currently enrolled in the degree, who must know the progressive implementation schedule to determine which curriculum applies to them.
- Companies and hospitals with internship agreements with UPCT in the field of biomedical engineering.
- HR departments of MedTech companies, medical device manufacturers and digital health startups that hire biomedical engineering profiles.
- Research centers and healthcare innovation units collaborating with UPCT.
Practical example
A prosthetics and implants manufacturing company based in Murcia that regularly collaborates with UPCT for recruiting biomedical engineers for internships will find, from the 2026/27 academic year onwards, candidates who have taken Additive Manufacturing of Medical Products as a mandatory subject. This means that interns already arrive with theoretical knowledge of 3D printing applied to medical devices, reducing technical onboarding time.
At the same time, if that same company has an internship agreement signed under the previous curriculum, it will need to review with UPCT whether the competencies and objectives of the agreement remain valid or should be updated to reflect the new training profile, especially regarding Interoperability of Medical Equipment and Applied Artificial Intelligence.
What should interested parties do now?
- Current degree students: contact UPCT's academic secretariat to learn about the progressive implementation schedule and determine which curriculum applies to them each year.
- Future students (2026/27 entry): review the updated degree documentation on UPCT's website to learn about the complete offering of mandatory and optional subjects under the new curriculum.
- Companies with active internship agreements: review the objectives and competencies included in current agreements and assess whether updating is necessary to align with the new training profile (especially in applied AI, additive manufacturing and interoperability).
- HR departments of MedTech companies: update job profiles and selection criteria for junior biomedical engineers, incorporating the new technological competencies that graduates of the new curriculum will bring.
- Those wishing to appeal the resolution: the deadline is one month for a request for reconsideration or two months for administrative litigation, both from August 15, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new UPCT Biomedical Engineering curriculum take effect?
The resolution was published and took effect on August 15, 2026. Implementation of the new curriculum will begin progressively in the 2026/27 academic year, according to the schedule included in the degree documentation.
How many ECTS does the new UPCT Degree in Biomedical Engineering have?
The degree maintains a total load of 240 ECTS, distributed as: 66 ECTS of basic training, 150 ECTS of mandatory subjects, 6 ECTS of optional subjects, 6 ECTS of external internships and 12 ECTS of Final Degree Project.
What new subjects does the modified curriculum include?
The new curriculum incorporates specific biomedical engineering subjects with advanced technological orientation: Applied Artificial Intelligence, Additive Manufacturing of Medical Products, Virtual Reality and Interoperability of Medical Equipment.
Does the curriculum change affect students already enrolled?
Yes. Implementation is progressive, which may create transition situations between the old and new curriculum. Current students should consult with UPCT's academic secretariat about the exact schedule to determine which curriculum applies to them each year.
Can this resolution be appealed?
Yes. The resolution exhausts the administrative process and may be appealed through a request for reconsideration within one month from its publication (August 15, 2026), or through administrative litigation within two months from that same date.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17832