Everything we use is made of materials, yet only a handful of these materials occur naturally. All the rest have been microscopically engineered originally by nature, but increasingly by materials engineers/scientists.

Materials science is the foundation for creating high-performance materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. In this degree, you’ll learn about developing high-performance materials that are lighter, greener and stronger – for use in every aspect of technology. You’ll also develop the theoretical and practical skills to improve materials for aerospace, automotive, biomedical and information technology-based industries. 

This degree builds a foundation in mathematics, chemistry and physics, before moving into the fundamental properties and structures of materials. You’ll investigate aspects of engineering design and the application and selection of materials before concentrating on a research project to sharpen your experimental and analytical skills.

This multidisciplinary degree uses a combination of lectures, practical hands-on laboratory work and research and design projects. It also incorporates components of professional communication, management aspects of business and industrial training. 

Key features

• Specialisation options
  Tailor your study to your interests with one of our specialisations:

• Physical Metallurgy: involves the shaping, alloying, heat treatment, joining, corrosion protection and testing of materials

• Functional Materials: explores the use of functional materials, which possess highly specific native properties and functions

• Process Metallurgy: extracting metals from their ores to make refined alloys

• Materials Engineering: making materials lighter, greener and stronger

• Ceramic Engineering: using ceramic raw materials to manufacture products