Materials Science and Engineering

Why Materials Science and Engineering?

The UK Materials Industry is valued at over £200bn and materials science and engineering graduates are in high demand.

Here at Queen Mary we equip students with sophisticated technical and problem-solving skills, preparing them to push boundaries and start exciting careers in a wide range of fields. We have a long and proud history, and we’ve kept our passion for innovation and discovery.

Materials science and engineering combines chemistry, physics and engineering and looks at the physical and chemical structure of materials, the properties of materials, manufacturing processes and design. Materials science covers metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites at a variety of length scales including macro, micro and nano.

Programme Highlights

• Accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
• First UK University to establish a Materials Science department established in 1967 
• We have spent over £30m on new and refurbished state-of-the-art laboratory spaces over the last 6 years. 
• Taught by world leading experts at the forefront of research and innovation: 1 Fellow of the Royal Society, 1 Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and 3 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Where can a degree in Materials Science and Engineering take you? 

Materials Science graduates go on to enjoy careers in a wide range of industries; from Aerospace and Sustainable Energy to Medicine and Dentistry. 

As a materials scientist or materials engineer you could be involved in: 

• developing new materials 
• testing properties of materials 
• selecting suitable materials for an engineering project 
• computational modelling 
• adapting materials to enhance certain properties.

Typical roles related to a degree in Materials Science and Engineering include: 

• Sustainable materials engineer 
• CAD technician 
• Design engineer 
• Materials engineer 
• Metallurgist 
• Product/process development scientist 
• Research scientist (physical sciences) 
• Technical sales engineer.