MEng Materials Science and Engineering
Take your study further with a an individual research project and an additional year of advanced study in this professionally accredited, integrated Master's degree
Key information
Award
MEng
Duration
4 years
full-time
Applications : admissions ratio
6 : 1
Based on 2021 entry data
- UCAS course code: JFM2
- ECTS: 240
- Start date: October 2023
- Department: Department of Materials
- Campus: South Kensington
Overview
Many of the technological advances that have transformed our lives are founded in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). Modern life would be impossible without the thousands of manufactured items we use every day, from the clothes we wear, to our phones, cars, computers and the buildings we inhabit, as well as more advanced and life-changing technologies like biomedical devices or satellite communications.
The motivation to invent or improve materials comes from our need to solve real societal problems, in fields such as healthcare, energy, environmental sustainability and transport. New opportunities are growing in areas such as biomedical engineering, 3D printing, robotics and quantum computing.
Our courses engage you in both the scientific and engineering aspects of the discipline. You will learn about the processing, structure, properties and performance of materials and much more.
Studying Materials Science and Engineering
All of our undergraduate courses follow a core series of modules. These will provide you with a strong base of theoretical principles.
Experimental work is a core part of all our courses. This starts with a series of laboratory tutorials that introduce foundational ideas and key techniques in a practical setting.
The laboratory sessions associated with the modules will introduce you to the key practical skills. As the course progresses, you are given more opportunity to design your own experiments to test a hypothesis and investigate materials using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.
In your third year you can choose from a selection of optional modules, allowing you to specialise in the areas you are most interested in.
You will also be able to broaden your educational experience by taking an I-Explore module.
In your fourth year, your study reaches Master’s level. You will undertake an individual research project with one of the Department’s research groups. This may involve you working at an external facility such as Diamond in Oxfordshire or spending time in a laboratory overseas, e.g. at MIT in the US. Project students work alongside researchers, including world leading academics and PhD students, in areas from bone regeneration to aircraft landing gear and from solar cells to cement bonded refractories.
You will have a wide choice of advanced modules alongside your research project. Studying to this level means that graduates require fewer years of work experience to become a Chartered Engineer (see Professional Accreditation below).
Transfer between courses
The common structure of the first two years of our Materials degrees means that transfer between courses is usually possible at set points during your degree.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Structure
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 them.
Year 1
Core modules
- Mathematics and Computing 1
- Performance of Structural Materials
- Engineering Practice 1
- Fundamentals of Processing
- Structure 1
- Properties 1
Year 2
Core modules
- Mathematics and Computing 2
- Engineering Practice 2
- Materials Characterisation
- Properties 2
- Structure 2
-
Performance of Functional Materials
Year 3
Core modules
- Materials Processing
- Processing Laboratory
- Theory and Simulation of Materials
- Managerial Economics
- Research Techniques
- I-Explore
Your I-Explore module offers you choices from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department. You will be taught alongside students from other courses with options including business, management and many more.
Optional modules
You choose four modules from below.
- Engineering Alloys
- Ceramics and Glasses
- Nanomaterials
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Optoelectonic Materials
- Mathematics and Quantum Mechanics
- Biomaterials
Optional modules represent an indicative list of those that are likely to be available rather than all optional modules that will be offered every year.
Year 4
Core modules
- Individual Project
Optional modules
You choose four modules from below.
- Advanced Biomaterials
- Advanced Engineering Alloys
- Advanced Nanomaterials
- Advanced Structural Ceramics
- Advanced Tissue Engineering
- Density Functional Theory
- Electroceramics
- Nuclear Materials
Optional modules represent an indicative list of those that are likely to be available rather than all optional modules that will be offered every year.
Inter-Departmental Exchange
You have the opportunity to substitute a module for an exchange with another department at Imperial.
Download the programme specification [PDF] – this is the most up-to-date version available for this course. It may change for your year of entry. If/when changes to this course are approved by the College, we will update this document and the information on this course page.
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
Professional accreditation
This degree is professionally accredited by The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council.
Achieving a professionally accredited degree demonstrates to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency.
Achieving a professionally accredited integrated Master's degree (MEng) means that you have satisfied the first step to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) in your chosen field by satisfying the educational requirements of professional registration. To gain Chartered status, you will need to demonstrate your ability to meet additional graduate level competences described in the Engineering Council's UK-SPEC.
A CEng is a highly respected qualification earned by professionals working in engineering, which can lead to higher earning potential and better career prospects.
Professional registration 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 five years. The current accreditation agreement is due to be renewed for students starting their studies in the 2023–24 academic year. The Department expects to be accredited into the future.
Associateship
As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Royal School of Mines on completion of this course.
The Royal School of Mines is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Imperial College London in 1907.
Find out more about our Associateships.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
Teaching focuses on applied science, with a grounding in theory and a great emphasis on practical work. You’ll be expected to take part in challenging experiments with advanced equipment.
You can expect a balance of theoretical and practical work, through lectures and laboratory work. There is also the opportunity to complete a research project, which will rely on substantial individual study. In addition to those more traditional teaching methods, you can expect industrial visits and tutorials.
Teaching and independent study hours
A full academic year involves about 1500 hours of study in total.
Some of modules have a very high component of coursework, e.g. Engineering Principles 1 is 100% coursework. However, the majority involve about 60 hours of lectures, tutorials and workshops, 40 hours of laboratory work, 100 hours of coursework, problem solving, private study and project work, and about 50 hours of revision for an end of module examination.
There is significant variation in this balance between different modules, but all modules of equivalent value involve similar levels of commitment and workload.
Electives in year 3 and 4 are typically involve 30 hours of lecture or workshop time, 60 hours of coursework, problem solving, private study and project work, and about 35 hours of revision for an end of module examination.
Lectures, practicals and other formal activities take place on weekdays only, with Wednesday afternoons normally remaining free. We do not normally schedule teaching out of term time.
Assessment
Over the course of your studies you will experience different assessment methods in each module you complete. You will be assessed by written examinations, class tests and coursework.
You can expect a variety of different types of assessment, such as:
- Performance in the Teaching Laboratory
- Laboratory reports
- Online programming tests
- Written coursework
- Group project reports
- Written examinations
- Poster Presentations
- Research thesis
- Oral presentations
Assessment types
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 40% | 35% | 38-45% | 67-74% |
| Examination | 60% | 65% | 55-62% | 26-33% |
| Based on the typical pathway through the course; percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number | ||||
Staff expertise
At Imperial, you will be taught by a range of teachers of all levels from Professors to PhD students, including some who undertake groundbreaking research and are regarded as experts in their field.
You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the College.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.
For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.
A-levels
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2023 entry is AAA overall, to include:
- A in Mathematics
- A in Chemistry or Physics
- A in a useful subject (listed below)
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted, nor are A-levels in foreign languages that are studied in the applicant’s native language.
Students taking English exam board science A-levels will be required to pass the practical endorsement.
Useful subjects
- Biology
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Economics
- Electronics
- English Language
- English Literature
- Further Mathematics
- Geography
- History
- Languages
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Psychology
Typical offer range
As a guide, here are the typical offers made to at least 80% of A-level applicants for 2021 entry:
- Three A-level offer: AAA-A*AA
Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)
If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.
The practical endorsement is part of the reformed English linear A-levels.
Additional Mathematics support
Our A-level Mathematics online course covers a range of key topic areas to help you gain a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques required to succeed in your A-level Mathematics exams.
This optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus with the aim of developing your thinking skills, fluency and confidence.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is available free of charge via the EdX website. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
International Baccalaureate
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2023 entry is 38 points overall, to include:
- 6 in Mathematics at higher level
- 6 in Chemistry or Physics at higher level
Typical offer range
As a guide, the typical offer made to at least 80% of IB applicants for 2021 entry was 39 points.
Mathematics Higher Level
The Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level with no preference.
Additional Mathematics support
We have launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Advanced Placements
The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Imperial.
If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Imperial alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.
Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.
Our minimum requirement for this course is grades 5, 5, 5 to include:
- 5 in Calculus BC
- 5 in Chemistry or Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism) or Physics C (Mechanics)
Additional Mathematics support
We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Selection process
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Post-application admissions day and interview
If your UCAS application indicates that you are likely to satisfy our requirements, you will be invited to an applicant day.
Applicant days are held on Wednesdays between November and March and run from 10.30 to 15.30. You will be expected to attend the whole day.
During an applicant day, you will hear from our Director of Undergraduate Studies and then our Admission Tutor.
Activities include:
- A 30 minute one-to-one interview with one of our lecturers. We aim for the interview to be more of a conversation. The main purpose of the interview is for us to see whether you are suitable for the course, as much as for you to decide if Imperial is the place for you.
- A 45 minute group task. The task will be an engineering-based problem-solving challenge to see your team working skills, as we deem this to be an important part of life at Imperial.
- A 60 minute Q&A with current student ambassadors where you will be able to ask them questions about the course and studying in London.
We hope our applicant days will be held in-person at our South Kensington campus, however this will be subject to restrictions at the time. We will notify applicants who are invited about the arrangements. For those unable to travel, the applicant days will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams.
Foundation programmes
A foundation course is a one-year preparation course, designed for international students, which leads to undergraduate programmes in the UK. Foundation programmes are normally for school-leavers who have studied a non-British curriculum but wish to pursue a degree at a UK university.
Foundation programmes are offered by many UK universities, but only two would be considered for entry to Imperial:
- UCL’s Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE), and
- Warwick’s International Foundation Programme (IFP) in Science & Engineering
UCL UPCSE
A year-long programme for international students whose school leaving qualifications do not allow them direct entry to UK universities. Students must complete four modules across the year – two compulsory and two elective modules:
| Module | Status |
|---|---|
| Research and Academic Skills: Science and Society | Compulsory |
| Academic English | Compulsory |
| Biology | Elective |
| Chemistry | Elective |
| Mathematics | Elective |
| Physics | Elective |
| Information correct at time of publishing, but subject to change | |
To be considered for admission to Materials, international students studying UCL UPCSE must achieve:
- 80% overall
- 80% Mathematics
- 80% Chemistry or Physics
WARWICK IFP SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
A year-long programme for international students whose school leaving qualifications do not allow them direct entry to UK universities.
To be considered for admission to Materials, international students studying Warwick IFP Science and Engineering must achieve:
- 80% overall
- 80% Mathematics and Physics
To meet these requirements, students should choose from the following IFP pathways:
- Engineering
Contextual admissions
We want to make sure that the Imperial learning community is as diverse as the society we serve. So to make our admissions process as fair as possible, we have introduced admissions schemes for Home students that allow us to consider your application in the full context of any additional barriers you may face.
Find out if you meet the eligibility criteria for our contextual admissions schemes.
If your predicted grades meet the minimum College entry standard of AAA at A-level or an equivalent level qualification in the relevant subjects, this department will guarantee you an interview.
Read more about the contextual admissions scheme in this department and others.
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.
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 higher 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 undergraduate applicants.
Tuition fees and funding
We charge tuition fees for every year that your course lasts. The fee you will be charged is based on your fee status, which is determined by government regulations.
Home rate of tuition
2023 entry
£9,250 per year.
Please note, this fee is set by the UK government and is subject to change until it has passed into legislation. We will update this page when this happens.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2023 will apply to fees for the academic year 2023–2024.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee or not 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.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Overseas rate of tuition
2023 entry
The fee for Overseas students has not been confirmed for the 2023-24 academic year. The fee is controlled by the College and we will update this page when it is announced.
As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2022-23 was £35,100.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts. For example, the RPIX value in April 2023 will apply to fees for the academic year 2023–2024.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee or not 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.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Additional course costs
This section outlines additional costs relevant to this course. These are not included in your tuition fees. It's possible that all, or only some, of these will be relevant to you.
Figures are approximated, usually based on costs in the most recent academic year. They are likely to change each year but it's useful for you to be aware of the things you may have to pay for. This can help you budget for life at Imperial.
Mandatory costs are those that you will need to pay to fully participate in and complete your studies. Optional costs are not essential to your studies so you can opt-out of these.
| Description | Mandatory/optional | Guide to cost |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop computer | Mandatory | £100 deposit if loaned from department |
| Please review the information below for more information on the costs listed in the table. | ||
Laboratory equipment
You are provided with laboratory books and materials (such as experiment samples) for your practical classes.
Laptop computer
You will need a laptop for some classes and coursework. The laptop must meet a minimum specification. For the 2021-22 academic year this was:
- Windows 10 capable
- Intel i5/i7 6th/7th generation processor
- 16GB RAM
- 256 GB SSD HDD
- Webcam
The Department has a number of laptops available for loan for the duration of your course. A deposit of £100 is required, refundable when you return the laptop at the end of your course.
You will have the chance to indicate whether you wish to take part in the laptop loan scheme when contacted by the Department in September before you start your course.
If you choose to borrow a laptop, you will be sent an invoice for the deposit amount which is payable online before the start of term. A variety of payment methods are available.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Wearing personal protective equipment is compulsory for some activities on this course. Where this applies, the Department of Materials will provide you with the necessary PPE free of charge to ensure you can undertake lab work safely. This includes:
- Goggles
- Lab coat
Software
You are provided free computer software, which is required to complete coursework, including:
- MATLAB
- Office 365
- Solid Works
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
Most Imperial undergraduates choose to live in our halls of residence in their first year. You can compare costs across different accommodation options.
Bursaries and scholarships
Careers
A degree in Materials Science and Engineering can open the door to careers in a wide variety of sectors from chemicals manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to technical management and scientific research and development (R&D). There are lots of emerging sectors to think about too, such as nanotechnology, biomedical materials, high performance textiles and composites.
Recent graduates of the Department have become:
- Graduate Engineer, Multinational automotive company
- Software Development Engineer, Amazon
- Management Consultant, EY
- Material Scientist, Rolls-Royce
- Quality Excellence Engineer, Johnson & Johnson
How to apply
UCAS key information
- UCAS course code: JFM2
- UCAS institution code: I50
Apply on UCAS
You can start and track your application on UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices.
Application deadlines
25 January 2023 at 18.00 (UK time).
If your application includes a medicine course, the deadline is 15 October 2022 at 18.00 (UK time).
Any questions?
Explore our step by step guide on how to apply. You can also find answers to your questions about admissions.
Related departments
You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Design Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
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