Materials Science and Engineering with a Year Abroad

Successful innovation is dependent on the selection and performance of key materials. From cars, aeroplanes and cruise ships, to sports and musical instruments, prosthetics, mobile phones and flexible solar cells, the right materials can help to define technological progress. Materials Science and Engineering explores how the properties of matter can be controlled, enhanced and manipulated to not only improve performance in existing applications but also to establish new technological applications.

Our Materials Science and Engineering degrees will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of materials science and engineering, developing your analytical abilities alongside hands-on experience of advanced equipment, to meet the evolving demands of the UK materials industry and global research sectors, including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, sports and energy generation.

You will be prepared to respond to pressing global challenges, including climate change, energy transition, resource scarcity and social equity, and will work to consider the broader social and environmental implications of engineering design.

The programme is studied as a 3-year Bachelors of Engineering (BEng), or a 4-year Integrated Master of Engineering (MEng) which meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Both our BEng and MEng courses include options to study with a Year Abroad, a Year in Industry and a Foundation Year.

Engineering at Swansea University has a global reputation and attracts students from across the world. Based at our beachfront Bay Campus, overlooking Swansea Bay, Materials Science and Engineering at Swansea University is ranked:

• A UK Top 10 course (Complete University Guide 2026)*
• 2nd in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)*
• 5th in the UK for Career Prospects (Guardian University Guide 2026)*
• 7th in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2026)
• 9th in the UK for Research (Times Good University Guide 2026)*

Assessed under Materials Technology
*Assessed under General Engineering

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
Introduction to Materials Engineering, Materials Resources, Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Properties of Materials, Instrumental and Analytical Chemistry

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
Software Engineering, Functional and Smart Materials, AI, Machine Learning and Data Analysis, Order and Disorder in Materials, Materials for Energy, Computational Materials

As part of this programme, you will spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year.

In Year 4, you will typically study areas including:
Advanced Optical Materials and Devices, Fracture and Fatigue, Individual Engineering Project, Microstructure and Characterisation, Propulsion, Composite Materials, Ceramics

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Materials, Minerals and Mining, Institute of