Bachelors in Materials Engineering in UK

Many of the technological advances that have transformed our lives are founded in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). Modern life would be impossible without the thousands of manufactured items we use every day, from the clothes we wear, to our phones, cars, computers and the buildings we inhabit, as well as more advanced and life-changing technologies like biomedical devices or satellite communications.

The motivation to invent or improve materials comes from our need to solve real societal problems, in fields such as healthcare, energy, environmental sustainability and transport. New opportunities are growing in areas such as biomedical engineering, 3D printing, robotics and quantum computing.

Our courses engage you in both the scientific and engineering aspects of the discipline. You will learn about the processing, structure, properties and performance of materials and much more.

Our Materials Engineering programme will give you a strong grounding in the physical and chemical structure, properties, manufacturing and design of materials.

The first year has been designed to offer a very broad skills based engineering background, to discover how materials engineering interacts with all the different engineering disciplines in practice. You’ll build a strong foundation in fundamental engineering concepts such as fluid mechanics, design, materials and mathematical modelling, whilst being introduced to Materials Engineering through our ‘Explore Materials’ module. Modules in design and experimental practice, will help you to develop the practical workshop and laboratory-based skills necessary for all engineers, and put core programme material into perspective and to practical use.

Our specialised second year modules have been designed to help you focus on developing an understanding of the relationships between the structure and composition of materials and their properties and functionality, and the broad range of applications for different materials.

The third-year design project will provide you an opportunity to use your skills and knowledge to address topics associated with the four Grand Challenges for the future as identified by the UK Government - artificial Intelligence and data, ageing society, clean growth and the future of mobility. For example, with projects tackling issues ranging from the development of bespoke devices for personalised healthcare to the use of sustainable energy to create the next generation of transportation systems.

Students who choose to take the MEng degree will carry out an industry or research-linked project that focuses on solving real engineering research and design problems.

We've recently undertaken a review of our programmes to ensure that they will prepare you for life beyond 2030 and ensure they reflect the global challenges facing both our society and your future as engineers. We have developed the modules we offer in consultation with our students, staff and industry to enhance your student experience and graduate employability.

We have mapped the modules in our programmes to a range of attributes that we would like our students to attain, within the areas of creativity, resilience, communication and professional practice in order to produce well-rounded, interested and highly employable graduates. This not only ensures that students develop the required technical knowledge and understanding as they progress through their degree, but also gives us the confidence that students will graduate with skills they can apply to a range of future careers or higher-level study.

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, which has modules in mathematics, physics and chemistry, you can start the MEng degree.

In our core undergraduate degree, you'll discover the underlying principles of materials science, and how these are applied across materials engineering situations. You can keep your course general or tailor your degree with optional materials modules.

As well as lectures and tutorials, you'll learn through experiencing real-world engineering situations with extensive practical work in important manufacturing processes and using the latest investigative equipment.

Successful innovation depends on the selection and performance of key materials. From cars, aeroplanes and cruise ships, to sports equipment and musical instruments, the right materials can help to define technological progress. 

Materials Science and Engineering explores how the properties of matter can be controlled. It includes elements of physics and chemistry, connecting closely with most other areas of engineering.

The integrated Engineering Foundation Year programme can lead to any full engineering degree. It is not a qualification in its own right, but the first year of a four-year BEng degree.

This degree will prepare you for a rewarding career across engineering sectors including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, sports, and energy generation.

As you progress, your developing analytical abilities will combine with hands-on experience of advanced equipment, establishing skills which are vital to securing employment in the wider aerospace industry.