MSc in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Key information
Duration: 1 year full-time
Start date: October 2021
Location: South Kensington campus
ECTS: 90 credits
View our fees
This degree would suit applicants looking for:
- A conversion from other background to Materials Science and Engineering
- Preparation for research as a PhD student
- Preparation for work in industry requiring materials expertise
The aim of the MSc in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the applications of, and developments in, Materials Science and Engineering today. We will motivate you to develop your ability to research, design, assess, implement and review solutions to real-life engineering problems across a wide range of materials. This degree course prepares you to become an independent, ethical and responsible Materials Science and Engineering professional with a global appeal. We emphasise the benefits of working as a team, as well as individually, by means of cohort building activities.
Nuclear engineering stream
We offer the option to specialise in materials for nuclear power generation. The purpose of this specialisation is to help meet the nuclear industryʼs requirement for suitably qualified personel in both technical and managerial roles. This programme will focus on understanding materials systems in extreme environments. You can choose the specialist nuclear engineering stream within MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering.
If you successfully complete all five the required nuclear engineering modules and your research project on a relevant nuclear engineering topic, you will graduate with MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering - Specialising in Nuclear Engineering.
Our courses are taught by expert academics, through formal lecturing and student-led coursework. Our students will have access to world-leading expertise and infrastructure by contributing to active research projects as part of established research groups.
This broad and flexible degree allows engineers and scientists from a variety of backgrounds (Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics or Chemistry) to build on their experience and expertise. It develops their understanding of materials at the level of the atom, through microstructure up to the macroscopic, employing theories and models appropriate to all these length scales. It supplements strong bases in engineering and sciences with transferable skills training to take them to the next stage of their career in academia or industry, and is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Mineral and Mining (IOM3).
Tabbed information block
Course information
Course Structure
Formal teaching extends from October through to the end of March with examinations taking place 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 the exams.
This course aims to equip students with knowledge and understanding of the key structural properties of materials 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 materials types at different length scales.
View our MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Programme Specification to find out 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 groups projects, which may lead to being published yourself thus putting your research career on the best possible track. You will be able to use the extensive high-performance computing resources available, along with the latest software. We have a comprehensive library making available the latest publications related to our research areas.
Entry requirements
A 2:1 honours BEng or MEng degree or equivalent international qualification in an engineering or science discipline (Materials, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical Engineering or Physics or Chemistry). Applicants with relevant industrial experience would also be considered.
- For international qualifications equivalences, please visit the Postgraduate Academic Requirements - Country Index webpage.
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, United Kingdom, United States of America, and West Indies.
- For English Language requirements, please visit the English Language Requirement and accepted qualifications webpage.
Modules and project
| Core modules | Options - Choose 5 (only 4 are assessed) |
|---|---|
| Material Characterisation | Advanced Biomaterials |
| Materials Modelling | Advanced Engineering Alloys |
| Research Project | Advanced Structural Ceramics |
| Research Project Plan | Advanced Thin Film Manufacturing Technologies |
| Art of Research | Biomaterials |
| Ceramic and Glasses | |
| Electroceramics | |
| Electronic Structure and Optoelectronic Behaviour | |
| Engineering Alloys | |
| Fusion and Advanced Reactors* | |
| Modelling Materials with Density-Functional Theory | |
| Nanomaterials I | |
| Nanomaterials II | |
| Nuclear Chemical Engineering* | |
| Nuclear Materials* | |
| Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics* | |
| Nuclear Reactor Physics* | |
| Polymers and Composites | |
| Surfaces and Interfaces | |
| Tissue Engineering |
* In order to graduate with the nuclear engineering option, you must take all of the optional modules marked with an asterisk (*). The modules in the table are those we plan to deliver. Please be aware that there may be unforeseen circumstances in which we cannot deliver a module.
Project
The course has a strong focus 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 the development of a research plan in the Autumn Term, students will be 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 to produce original research of a standard sufficient for peer reviewed publications.
How to apply/ Deadlines
Applications to the MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering for 2021/22 will open on Monday 5 October 2020 and close on Friday 26 March 2021.
Other useful links
Scholarships/Tuition Fees
Departmental MSc scholarships 2020-21
The Department of Materials offers four scholarships to MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering applicants .
| MSc Home Academic Excellence Scholarship | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | An MSc Home Scholarship is available to one UK applicant typically with a First Class Honours level or equivalent in their undergraduate qualification and showing outstanding academic merit. A successful candidate will present a strong application and references. If available, published academic papers and academic prizes they have won will be considered. |
| Application Process | There is no separate application process. Outstanding candidates from the UK who have accepted an offer from us will be considered for the scholarship . The scholarship will be awarded to the candidate with strongest academic track record, judged on the basis of the material provided with the application. |
| Value | The scholarship covers:
|
| * paid in twelve monthly instalments over the duration of your MSc programme | |
| MSc Academic Excellence Scholarship | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | An MSc Academic Excellence Scholarship is available to one UK *, EU or international applicant, typically with a First Class Honours level or international equivalent in their undergraduate qualification and showing outstanding academic merit. A successful candidate will present a strong application and references. If available, published academic papers and academic prizes they have won will be considered. |
| Application Process | There is no separate application process. Outstanding candidates who have accepted an offer from us will be considered for the scholarship . The scholarship will be awarded to the candidate with strongest academic track record, judged on the basis of the material provided with the application. |
| Value | The scholarship value is: 1. £12,500 ** 2. A stipend of £6,000*** |
| *UK applicants will be considered for only one of the Departmental MSc scholarships on offer **The value of the scholarship only partially covers the full international tuition fees for the programme *Paid in twelve monthly instalments over the duration of your MSc programme. |
|
MSc Home Academic Potential Scholarship | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | An MSc Home Academic Potential Scholarship to one UK applicant with a First-Class Honours level or equivalent in their undergraduate qualification and showing strong academic potential. We particularly welcome applications from Women and Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. We also encourage applications from candidates who are interested in discipline-hopping to Materials Science. |
| Application Process | There is no separate application process. Outstanding candidates from the UK who have accepted an offer from us will be considered for the scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to the candidate with strongest academic potential, judged on the basis of the material provided with the application. The successful candidate will be notified by 31 July 2021. |
| Value |
|
| *Paid in twelve monthly instalments over the duration of your MSc programme. | |
MSc International Academic Potential Scholarship | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | An MSc International Academic Potential Scholarship to one international applicant with a First-Class Honours level or equivalent in their undergraduate qualification and showing strong academic potential. We particularly welcome applications from Women and Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. |
| Application Process | There is no separate application process. Outstanding international candidates who have accepted an offer from us will be considered for the scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to the candidate with strongest academic potential, judged on the basis of the material provided with the application. The successful candidate will be notified by 31 July 2021. |
| Value | The scholarship covers: 1. The fees difference between overseas and home fees (£19,350). |
| *Paid in twelve monthly instalments over the duration of your MSc programme. | |
Next steps
We strongly recommend that potential candidates apply early in the academic year (from November to February). If you are successful in securing the scholarship candidates will be notified by the end of August 2021.
Other scholarships and funding support
| Scholarships | Loans | Tuition Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
Use our Search Tool to see which scholarships and awards you may be eligible for |
Postgraduate study loans (SLC Managed) |