MSc Materials Science and Engineering

Metallurgy and Materials Science at Birmingham is a major research centre with world-class facilities. Our research is at the leading edge of Materials Science and Engineering, and we work closely with a range of industrial partners to ensure that the potential of our discoveries is maximised.

New materials underpin development and progress across a wide variety of sectors. New technologies, from planes to batteries, from hip implants to electronic devices, are made possible, and often limited by, the materials we currently know and use. Materials Scientists and Engineers work hard to understand how and why materials behave the way they do and exploit this knowledge to develop new materials with amazing properties.

By studying Materials Science and Engineering, you will develop a fundamental understanding of how the properties of a material, such as strength, electronic properties and biocompatibility, are affected by the material’s structure, such as its crystal structure or microstructure.

This knowledge can then be used to formulate strategies to develop new materials, such as alloys able to operate at higher temperatures for jet engine blades or high-toughness ceramics for armour applications. This programme will equip you with the skills required to join a wide variety of industries in the capacity of materials specialist or continue your education at a PhD level.

Why study Materials Science and Engineering Masters at Birmingham?

• Materials underpin almost all industrial sectors and the global challenges have increased the demand for new materials.
• Accordingly, there is a growing demand for materials engineers and researchers worldwide and in rapidly developing countries in particular. The School of Metallurgy and Materials has long been a centre of excellence in materials research and education.
• The course is designed for graduates who want to acquire knowledge, concepts and research skills in advanced materials to seek a research or technology development career in materials. It will also provide excellent preparation for those wishing to undertake the classic PhD, new PhD with integrated studies and EngD.
• One of the best centres for materials research in the UK.
• World-leading and unique facilities, such as the £60M High-Temperature Research Centre.
• Strong collaborations with a large number of industrial partners, including Rolls-Royce, Baosteel and many others.
• Wide range of research activities, from the atomic scale to components.