Materials Engineering, MSc

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Course Overview

The MSc in Materials Engineering provides you with an advanced understanding of the field of materials science and engineering, furthering your analytical abilities and hands-on experience of industry-relevant equipment, to address the demands of the international materials industry.

As one of the UK’s leading centres for materials teaching and research, Swansea University offers you an innovative programme that combines fundamental knowledge of core materials, with applied and emerging design and manufacturing techniques, to cater to a wide range of technological applications.

With a strong emphasis on addressing socio-economic and environmental concerns in future technological development, you will build technical excellence alongside creativity, ethical awareness, and social responsibility, empowering you to contribute to a more inclusive and forward-thinking industry.

The course can be studied full-time or part-time with the option to include a Year in Industry.

Why Materials Engineering at Swansea?

Based at our coastal Bay campus overlooking Swansea Bay, you will study at one of the UK’s leading centres for materials teaching and research, ranked within the top 131 courses globally (QS World University Rankings 2025), and with 100% of our research environment ranked as world-leading and internationally excellent (REF2O21).

The materials research conducted at Swansea is funded by prestigious organisations including Rolls-Royce, The European Space Agency and Tata Steel.

Your Materials Engineering Experience

Throughout your studies you will receive expert training across a wide range of areas, including traditional materials comprising of advanced steels, ceramics, polymers, composites and aerospace materials, as well as advanced manufacturing processes and technologies linked to power generation. You will also study social aspects and sustainability in engineering, and your learning will be enhanced by hands-on experience with advanced engineering tools and methodologies.

Our state-of-the-art facilities include world-leading equipment for the characterisation of microstructure and mechanical properties, alongside an extensive range of laboratories housing scanning and transmission electron microscopes.

The programme can be studied full time over 1 year, or part-time over 2 or 3 years. We also offer a 2-year study option that includes a year in industry, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. During your second year you will complete either an industry placement or industry-focussed project where you will work on a real-life challenge undertaken in collaboration with one or more of our industry partners.

Materials Engineering Employment Opportunities

On completion of the course your engineering expertise, knowledge and experience will give you the confidence to further your career prospects. Roles including:

  • Materials Engineer
  • Metallurgist
  • Product Development Scientist
  • Research Scientist
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Manufacturing Systems Engineer
  • Process Development Scientist

Many of our graduates have built successful careers in companies such as Tata Steel, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Atkins, GE Aviation, Mott MacDonald and Babcock International Group.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.