As far back as the Stone Age, materials have played a significant and defining role in human development — central to contemporary prosperity and the keys to future social evolution. Material engineers, therefore, have an essential role to play in developing and refining the materials of today and tomorrow, exploring their limits and taking their potential to the next level.

Materials-related challenges are found in all disciplines of engineering — biomedical, telecommunications, aeronautical, construction, chemical and mechanical, to name just a few. All aspects of a product's life, from initial idea or discovery to prototype, finished article, and eventual recycling processes, fall under the scope of materials engineering. Materials engineers focus on the application of materials, testing, developing, and modifying them to be used in just about any product one can imagine, from jet engines and skis to smartphones and sanitary products.

Contemporary challenges in materials cut across the traditional lines of engineering and science. Success in the field relies on a mix of competence and knowledge, understanding where problems arise, effective testing, and model building.

The education you will receive on this programme reflects this diversity, and you will use advanced experimental equipment and modern software for materials simulation to tackle real-life material problems, provided by industry partners. You will learn through a pedagogical philosophy of ‘make and break’, exploring the limits of new materials and ideas through experiments both theoretical and practical. We also emphasise the importance of interdisciplinary and intercultural communication and teamwork — essential ingredients for success in the modern international industry.

You will become an engineer of reality, both a problem finder and solver, and a developer in theory and practice. As well as an expert in materials, you will also come to represent a bridge between researchers and the construction sector.

When you study this programme, you will gain the knowledge and skills to handle the complexity of materials problems, and to find solutions within the entire lifecycle of a product, from design and manufacturing to end use, and recycling. You will learn how to choose materials, develop processes and properties and understand failures, applying your expertise in materials to make products more efficient, cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally sustainable.