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Overview

Our Materials Engineering degree includes the development, specification and engineering applications of new and existing materials. 

Our research areas within Materials Engineering include:

• kinetics and formation mechanisms of new materials
• predictive modelling based upon mechanistic understanding

Work covers the production, property measurement and performance assessment of:

• ceramics
• polymers
• metals
• composites

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the . This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact. 

What you'll learn

Your research will focus on understanding the physical and chemical descriptions that underlie material's performance. You'll also work towards developing property and performance models of materials.

We focus on developing new materials for advanced engineering applications. This includes microelectronics, optics and power transmission.

Current research projects include:

• developing novel surface engineering processes and materials (such as fullerene-like coating materials)
• energy-based methods for performance modelling
• nanomaterials and nanocharacterisation techniques
• novel materials for intensified processes

One of our research strengths is measurement and modelling of the mechanical response of materials at high-spatial-resolution. This is particularly in microelectronic and optical devices. A combination of unique equipment and interdisciplinary expertise supports this. Another research focus is the materials requirements for sustainable development. This includes the use of key resources, in particular water and energy. We have significant research into the generation of:

• energy from novel sources
• low carbon and renewable technologies
• application of materials for the healthcare sector
• the clean-up of effluent and wastewater.

Our major research topics include:

• fuel cells
• bio-fuel cells and energy systems
• gasification, cold plasma gasification
• biofuel production
• gas, water and solid treatment
• nano-structured polymer composites for pollution control
• sustainable and environmental electrochemical systems
• photochemical processes and electrochemical synthesis

Our mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. We attract high-quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.

Find out more about our research areas:

• Materials Concepts and Reaction Engineering
• Advanced Materials and Electrochemical Engineering
• Process Intensification
• Design Manufacture and Materials

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

The module information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

How you'll learn

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Thesis
• Viva

Additional assessment information

We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.

Postgraduate research student support

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• wellbeing
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Find out more about our postgraduate research student support

Our staff

The Design, Manufacture and Materials and Materials, Concepts and Reaction Engineering subject group pages outline our specialist research areas. You'll be able to:

• explore possible research programmes
• find out more about staff working in these research areas
• identify a potential research supervisor

Your development

The School of Engineering runs a postgraduate training programme. It is compulsory for all new students and involves selected taught modules. You'll receive research training from the Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School. This covers professional/key skills, personal development and research techniques.

You may supplement your income by leading laboratory demonstrations and tutorial classes.

Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme 

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact

Through workshops and activities, you'll build your transferable skills and increase your confidence. Here you’ll cover:

• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements

Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Ãå±±½ûµØ within:

• a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits. They combine research expertise and training of many leading universities and academic schools. You’ll study alongside a cohort of other interdisciplinary PhD students.

PhD's are usually funded. You’ll find funding opportunities in the fees and funding section of each PhD course page.

The following centres/partnerships may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area:

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.

You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.

We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Facilities

The School of Engineering has a wide range of attractive facilities.

It has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation supporting our research, teaching and contract research projects.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Why is this fee shown as a range?

We are unable to give an exact fee, this is why the fee is shown as a range. This fee range takes into account your research topic and resource requirements.

Your research topic is unique so it will have unique resource requirements. Resources could include specialist equipment, such as laboratory/workshop access, or technical staff.

If your research involves accessing specialist resources then you're likely to pay a higher fee. You'll discuss the exact nature of your research project with your supervisor(s). You'll find out the fee in your offer letter.

PGR Home fee note

Home fees for research degree students

For 2025-26 entry, we've aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by .  For 2026-27 entry, we will again be aligning our standard Home research fees with UKRI. They will announce their fees in Spring 2026.

 

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance .

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

How to apply

Open days and events

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Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Ãå±±½ûµØ.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events