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?
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 current materials 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
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UCAS Media Service
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!
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
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.
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.
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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. -
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.