Materials Science and Engineering

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.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Software Engineering and Professional Skills; Engineering Analysis for Materials; Materials and Manufacturing; Utilisation of Materials for Sustainable Engineering; Mechanical Properties: Structure-Property Links in Metals and Chemistry for Engineers.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: AI, Machine Learning and Data Analysis; Materials Structure and Characterisation Techniques; Microstructure Evolution and Control in Metallic Materials: Theory and Practicals; Research Project Preparation; Computational Materials; Mechanical Deformation in Structural Materials: Theory and practicals; Smart Materials and Energy Applications.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Polymers and Composite Materials; Steel and Ceramics in High-Performance Engineering; Materials Group Design Project and Management; Individual Engineering Project; Materials Durability: Fracture, Fatigue and Degradation.

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