Use your knowledge of materials’ structure and behaviour to develop products and solutions that can change our world for the better.
What's on this page?
- Study options
- Chat to a current materials science and engineering student
- Subjects it's useful to have studied first
- Careers: Where it can take you
- Getting in: Entry requirements
- Other subjects you may be interested in
- Considering an apprenticeship?
- Explore further
- Application advice
As a materials scientist and engineer, you’ll look at how materials behave, and how their structure controls their behaviour – in some cases developing new materials that will provide solutions to things like quantum computers and Net Zero energy.
Graduates are in demand in industries like:
- aerospace
- automotive
- biomedical
- construction
- energy
- healthcare
- sports
- sustainable development
You could work anywhere from small and medium enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and big business to academic research, via government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). There’s lots of variety in job roles too, from research and development, quality assurance, production and engineering, through to installation and maintenance.
You could enjoy an average starting salary in excess of £25,000 and work your way up to project management or technical sales. You could also decide to specialise in a particular material, or choose to work in research or consultancy.
The impact you could make
- Develop a prototype for a new, scalable green energy product.
- Create the next ‘smart fabric’ that will allow athletes even more comfort and durability in their clothing.
- Build on existing nanotechnology that will take us further and more safely into outer space.
What you could study
- Mathematics and computing
- Performance of structural materials
- Engineering practice
- Fundamentals of processing
- Structure of solids
- Materials characterisation
- Functional properties
- Materials processing
- Thermodynamics
Chat to a current materials science and engineering student
Chat to a currentmaterials science and engineering student using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:
- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
Chat to students powered by 
UCAS Media Service
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Morgan
Coventry University
Motorsport Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
I have loved living and studying in Coventry and it is now a second home to me. I have a passion for F1 and to hopefully have a future career in the industry, I decided to do a course in Motorsport and have really enjoyed learning so far :) -
Sharon
University of Plymouth
MEng (Hons) Robotics
I am an international student born and raised in Qatar but is inherently Indian. I love how I have been exposed to different cultures and lifestyles living in a country that is different from where I'm from. Moving to Plymouth for university has been an exciting journey so far and I hope to make the most out of the years I intend to be here. Aside from academics, I love music, dance, art, watching a bunch of TV shows, movies and reading all kinds of genres!
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Example module "Nanotech is my favourite module. The subject is a perfect mix between chemistry and physics for me." First year materials science and engineering student, The University of Manchester
Example project "Cool group project on material analysis at the moment. I enjoy doing lab work, so it was a fun experience." Second year materials science and engineering student, The University of Sheffield
Physics
Chemistry
Maths/Further maths
Design technology
IT/Computing
Biology
Hard skills you'll develop
- Project engineering
- Project management
- Procurement
- New product development
Soft skills you'll develop
- Communication
- Management
- Planning
- Problem-solving
- Innovation
Available jobs 124,090 vacancies in the past year 4.79% growth over next 8 years Average salary £42,271 Up to £63,830
Career options
Engineering
Materials engineer or scientist
Building and construction
Production
Research
What is a…. metallurgist?
You may never have heard of a metallurgist, but metallurgy – also known as metallurgical engineering – is the science of developing and making metals and alloys from raw materials like gold, silver, copper, steel, aluminium, nickel, and iron. These metals may be used as parts in machinery, electrical items, and medical devices, among others, and can range from nanotechnology to industrial scale products. Metallurgists have an important role to play in creating future technologies, and environmental sustainability. Just think about what your mobile phone is made of!
Take our careers quiz to find your ideal job matched to your personality type.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study materials science and engineering at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from materials science and engineering applicants.
A levels AAB Scottish Highers AABBB Vocational BTEC DDD Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
Engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships
Check out our industry guide to help you decide if an engineering and manufacturing apprenticeship might be the right choice for you.
Materials science and engineering is an exciting and interdisciplinary field that combines physics, chemistry, and engineering to explore the universe of materials, and how materials are developed, manufactured and recycled. In this field, you will learn how different materials behave under various conditions, and how to manipulate them to make them even better, transforming cutting-edge technologies like electric cars, space travel, and medical implants that can change lives. As a graduate of materials ecience and engineering, you can expect to work in a huge range of sectors, making it an exciting and fulfilling career path with endless opportunities for growth and innovation.
Let's talk about... science apprenticeships (Sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University)
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Listen to our brand new podcast all about degree apprenticeships in science. Find out about funding, what day-to-day life is like, making friends, and more from our expert panel.
A day in the life of an Engineering Apprentice
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Check out live apprenticeship vacancies in engineering.
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Discover Materials
Lots of resources and activities on their website to help you delve into the world of materials science and engineering.
-
Materialism Podcast
A podcast all about materials science and engineering, hosted by associate professor Taylor Sparks from the University of Utah.
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Materials Today
A journal that features news on research and innovation, and articles of interest for people who are fascinated by or work in materials science.
84% of students are highly likely to recommend materials science and engineering to others, based on their experience of studying so far (UCAS subject guide survey 2023)
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- tick!You’ll need to demonstrate a broad interest in fundamental science as well as design, manufacturing, and engineering. What books or journals have you read, or what content have you watched or listened to, that illustrates your passion and understanding of these areas?
- tick!How can you show your natural curiosity about the subject? Maybe you’re a runner and you’re interested in how different fabrics absorb sweat? Or maybe you’re interested in sustainable mobile phones, and have been researching what they’re made of or how they could be improved?
- tick!What about the practical side? Can you mention a school project or hobby outside of school that shows you have experience of how to assess a material’s performance, and/or look into how and what it’s made of?
- tick!Can you demonstrate skills like planning and project management? Maybe you’ve had a part-time job or volunteering role outside of school that required these skills? Or is there any work experience you can draw on?
- tick!What do you want to do with your degree? Maybe you want to work towards sustainability goals, or focus on nanotechnology? Show you understand the industry you’re heading into and some of the roles you could do within that.
We asked admissions tutors to share their dos and don’ts for writing a strong and engaging engineering personal statement. Here's what they told us.
Explore courses
Materials Science and Engineering
Imperial College London
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · London · 28/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Materials Science and Engineering
University of Birmingham
MS · 1 Year · Full-time · Birmingham · 09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Materials Science and Engineering
University of Leeds
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Leeds · 25/09/2024
Tariff points: 136/147
Materials Science and Engineering
University of Manchester
BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Manchester · 16/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Materials Science and Engineering
Queen Mary University of London
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · London · 16/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Materials Science and Engineering
University of Sheffield
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Sheffield · 30/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Materials Science and Engineering
Loughborough University
MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Loughborough · 30/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Materials Science and Engineering
Swansea University
MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Swansea · 23/09/2024
Tariff points: 136/168
Automotive Engineering
University of Wolverhampton
BEng · 3 Years · Full-time · Wolverhampton · 16/09/2024
Tariff points: 104/104
Aerospace Engineering
Brunel University London
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Uxbridge · 23/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Aerospace Engineering
University of Bath
MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Bath · 30/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Automotive Engineering
University of Bedfordshire
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Luton · 09/2024
Tariff points: 112/112
Automotive Engineering
Birmingham City University
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Birmingham · 09/2024
Tariff points: 112/112
Automotive Engineering
University of Brighton
BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Sandwich · Brighton · 23/09/2024
Tariff points: 104/120
Automotive Engineering
Northumbria University, Newcastle
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Newcastle upon Tyne · 23/09/2024
Tariff points: 112/112
Aerospace Engineering
University of Nottingham
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Nottingham · 23/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Aerospace Engineering
Queen's University Belfast
MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Belfast · 16/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Automotive Engineering
Staffordshire University
MS · 12 Months · Full-time · Stoke-on-Trent · 09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
Automotive Engineering
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
HND · 2 Years · Full-time · Swansea · 23/09/2024
Tariff points: 80/80
Automotive Engineering
University of Warwick
BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Coventry · 23/09/2024
Tariff points: N/A
