Key information

Duration: 1 year full-time
Start date: October 2024
Location: South Kensington campus
ECTS: 90 credits
View our fees 

Apply nowInformation for MSc offer holders

Suitable for engineers and scientists from various backgrounds, this MSc in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering explores the key properties of different materials and equips you to research, design and apply solutions to real-life engineering problems across a wide range of materials.

This broad and flexible degree aims to equip you with core knowledge of Materials Science and Engineering that can be applied to any materials-based career, giving you flexibility in the global job market. The degree programme is also accredited by the Institute of Materials, Mineral and Mining (IOM3).

This degree would suit applicants looking for:

  • Preparation for research as a PhD student
  • Preparation for work in an industry requiring materials expertise
  • A conversion from other backgrounds to Materials Science and Engineering

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Course information

Course Structure

This course aims to equip students with knowledge and understanding of the key structural properties of different classes of materials. You will gain skills in characterisation of materials, in particular their structural, thermal, morphological and chemical properties.

You will use the principles and underlying theory of a range of characterisation methods, including:

  • X-ray diffraction
  • Focussed Ion Beam
  • Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
  • Atomic Force Microscopy
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Scanning Probe Microscopies

As well as a range of modelling tools, applicable to a broad spectrum of material types at different length scales.

Expert academics teach our courses through formal lecturing and student-led coursework. Formal teaching extends from October to the end of March, with examinations during the summer term. At the start of the autumn term, students will select a research project and then write a research project plan during the remainder of the term. The research will be carried out after examinations.

In Summer Term, you will also undertake a specially designed research project within an active research area, working alongside our established research groups.

View our MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Programme Specification to learn more.

Learning tools and provision

You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and the unique opportunity to participate in world-leading research through your expected contribution to existing research group projects, which may lead to being published yourself.

You will be able to use the extensive high-performance computing resources available, along with the latest software. Our comprehensive library makes available the latest publications related to our research areas.

Entry requirements

Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in materials, mechanical/civil/chemical engineering, physics or chemistry. Please note, a first class degree (or equivalent) is strongly preferred. Applicants with relevant industrial experience would also be considered.



An English qualification is also required (except for applicants with a first degree awarded from universities in Australia, Canada, Guyana, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the West Indies.)

Modules and projects

Core modules Options - choose four:
Characterisation of the Structure of Materials Advanced Biomaterials
Theory and Simulation of Materials Advanced Engineering Alloys
The Art of Research Advanced Nanomaterials
Research Project Advanced Structural Ceramics
  Advanced Tissue Engineering
  Biomaterials
  Ceramic and Glasses
  Electroceramics*
  Engineering Alloys
  Machine Learning
  Modelling Materials with Density Functional Theory
  Nanomaterials
  Nuclear Chemical Engineering*
  Nuclear Materials for Reactor Systems*
  Nuclear Reactor Physics*
  Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics*
  Optoelectronic Materials*
  Quantum Mechanics 
  Surfaces and Interfaces*
*You must complete all options with an asterisk to graduate with an MSc in energy specialism, including your project.

Project

The course strongly focuses on independent research, and a substantial research project is embedded in the course.  In the Autumn term, students will select a research project (worth approximately half of the total mark). Following developing a research plan in the Autumn Term, students are able to do full-time research after the exams.

During the project, students will work in an established research group alongside renowned academics and experienced research staff and have access to state-of-the-art facilities and support. Students are expected to make a genuine contribution to live projects and produce original research of a standard sufficient for peer-reviewed publications.

How to apply/ Deadlines

Applications for MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering for 2024/25 will open mid-October 2023. Please visit our Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Study Page for more information about admissions deadlines.

How to apply

Other useful links 

Energy Transition specialisation

Advanced Materials Science and Engineering: Specialising in Materials for the Energy Transition

You will be given the option to specialise in Materials for the Energy Transition, and if you meet the additional criteria, you will be eligible for the following extra annotation on your degree certificate: Specialising in Materials for the Energy Transition.

Advances in materials are key towards delivering affordable, reliable and green energy. This includes materials for solar cells, materials for low-carbon hydrogen production, and other chemicals or materials for nuclear technology.

If you are keen to learn more about these cutting-edge materials and want to contribute to the energy transition, you can choose the specialisation in Materials for the Energy Transition as part of your MSc degree programme. This specialisation will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed in the field of sustainable energy.

*To graduate with an MSc in energy specialism, you must complete all options with an asterisk in the 'modules and projects' section. This includes your project.

Theory Simulation specialisation

*For 2024/25 entry*
MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering: Specialising in Theory and Simulation of Materials

You will be given the option to specialise in Theory and Simulation of Materials, and if you meet the additional criteria, you will be eligible for the following extra annotation on your degree certificate: Specialising in Theory and Simulation of Materials.

Theory and simulation of materials play a major role in science and engineering projects and our work underpins research across the Department of Materials, providing insight into properties and processes. Our world-class methods place us at the forefront of Theory and Simulation research across a wide range of applications, including sustainable technologies and fuels and thermoelectrics.

If you are keen to learn more about the role of Theory and Simulation of Materials, you can choose the specialisation in Theory and Simulation of Materials as part of your MSc degree programme.

*To graduate with an MSc in Theory and Simulation, you must complete all options with an asterisk in the 'modules and projects' section. This includes your project.