MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Our full-time MSc is aimed at talented engineers and scientists with a passion for understanding and creating innovative materials.
Key information
Applications are now closed
Overview
This MSc is suited to talented engineers and scientists with a passion for understanding and creating innovative materials. It will equip you with core knowledge of materials science and engineering that can be applied to any materials-based career, giving you flexibility in the job market.
This flexible MSc is a stand-alone qualification designed to prepare students to solve problems in materials science and engineering under the exacting conditions we encounter today.
The programme is broad, covering many aspects of both the science of materials and engineering applications, and includes course work and original research components.
Our students will have access to world leading knowledge and infrastructure by working on real research projects as part of established research groups, and you will be motivated to develop your ability to research, design, assess, implement and review solutions to real-life engineering problems across a wide range of materials.
This course aims to equip you 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, Electron Microscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Scanning Probe Microscopies – as well as a range of modelling tools, applicable to a broad spectrum of materials types at different length scales.
Study programme
You begin by studying the three taught core modules and five optional modules (four of which are assessed) in the Autumn and Spring terms. Your written examinations take place during the Summer term, and coursework assessment takes place throughout your studies.
Your research project is completed throughout your studies, with the majority of the work taking place after your written examinations. In the first term you will complete a project plan, and in the second term you will work on the literature review for your final report. You will carry out your research over the summer after exams finish, and submit your research thesis in September.
Professional accreditation
This degree is professionally accredited by The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
Achieving a professionally accredited degree demonstrates to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. It also brings international recognition of your qualification, which is particularly useful for students preparing for a career abroad.
Our accreditation agreement with The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining is renewed every 5 years, and the current agreement runs between 2018 and 2022.
Structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
Page last reviewed on 22 October 2021.
Structure
Compulsory modules
You study all of the modules below.
- Characterisation of the Structure of Materials
- Theory and Simulation of Materials
- The Art of Research
- Research Project
Optional modules
You choose five optional modules from below. You will only be assessed on four of these.
- Advanced Biomaterials
- Advanced Engineering Alloys
- Advanced Nanomaterials
- Advanced Structural Ceramics
- Advanced Thin Film Manufacturing Technologies
- Advanced Tissue Engineering
- An Introduction to Density Functional Theory
- Biomaterials
- Ceramic and Glasses
- Electroceramics
- Engineering Alloys
- Fusion and Advanced Reactors*
- Nanomaterials
- Nuclear Chemical Engineering*
- Nuclear Materials for Reactor Systems*
- Nuclear Reactor Physics*
- Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics*
- Optoelectronic Materials
- Surfaces and Interfaces
* In order to graduate with the nuclear engineering option, you must take all of the optional modules marked with an asterisk (*).
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
- Laboratory
- Lectures
- Oral presentations
- Practical sessions
- Small group discussions
- Tutorials
- Written reports
Assessment
- Coursework
- Examination
- Practical
- Research project
Course timetable
You will receive your course timetable by the beginning of your studies in October and the core teaching hours for the College are 9am–6pm.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Admissions
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in materials, mechanical/civil/chemical engineering, physics or chemistry.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
How to apply
Making an application
Apply online
All applicants must apply online.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
Application fee
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for taught Master's applications (excluding MBAs)
- £135 for MBA applications
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
ATAS certificate (overseas candidates)
An ATAS certificate is required for all visa-nationals, with the exception of EEA/Swiss nationals and nationals of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA.
To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme’s Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and ‘descriptor’, as well as your university supervisor name. For this course, these are:
| CAH code | Descriptor | Supervisor name |
|---|---|---|
| CAH10-03-02 | Materials technology | Professor Peter Haynes |
| CAH10-02-02 (*old code) | Materials technology | Professor Peter Haynes |
Your student visa application, or extension of stay, will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate and cannot provide one.
For further guidance on obtaining an ATAS certificate please see the information on our International Student Support website.
Further questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, visas and more.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£15,400
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£35,700
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies. Find out more about our scholarships to see what you might be eligible for.
A number of external organisations also offer awards for Imperial students. Find out more about non-Imperial scholarships.
Departmental scholarships
The Departments is offering two scholarships for 2021 entry. These will be awarded to one UK and one international candidate. Outstanding candidates will be automatically be considered but must have a First-Class Honours level or equivalent in their undergraduate qualification and show strong academic potential:
- MSc Home Academic Potential Scholarship: For on UK applicant and covers the full home tuition fee and a stipend of £16,680
- MSc International Academic Potential Scholarship: For one international applicant and covers the fee difference between home and overseas fees (£19,350)
We particularly welcome applications from Women and Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
British Council scholarships for women in STEM
This course is eligible for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, which Imperial is offering for the 2022/23 academic year. These are for women from Brazil, Mexico or Peru who apply to one of our eligible STEM Master's courses. Find out more about this scholarship.
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
Got a question?
Raj Adcock
T: +44 (0)20 7594 6728
E: materials@imperial.ac.uk
Sign up for our newsletter
Receive regular updates with useful information about studying with us.
Studying at Imperial
Living in London
London’s fusion of culture and charm will give you a student experience unlike any other.
Student finance
Our tuition fees website has everything you need to know about funding your studies.
International students
Imperial is ranked as the UK's most international university, welcoming students from over 140 countries.
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to universities. We've put together this information in a dedicated section of our website.
Read our terms and conditions for these areas: