Ranking
6th
Complete University Guide 2025
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Course overview
Solve world sustainability challenges with our BEng Materials Science and Engineering. Prepare for an exciting future as part of the next generation of materials scientists and engineers.
You’ll explore how metals, glasses, polymers, ceramics and composites work throughout their lifecycle. From healthcare and Formula One to aerospace and tech, you’ll be able to choose from roles in a huge range of industries and research areas.
Accredited degree
Accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Why Study Materials Science and Engineering at Birmingham?
When we learn about a new topic, we can immediately see why this problem needs to be solved in engineering. The small number of students mean there is a lot of engagement between the lecturers and students. Because the School is so research focused, the academics are real experts in their field.
Course structure
Join our three year full-time BEng programme comprising of taught and optional modules including a research project in year 3 on a topic that interests you. You'll be assessed using a combination of exams, written assignments, oral presentations, computer-based tests, laboratory and project reports.
You’ll study a broad overview of materials science, and learn how to apply existing knowledge of maths, physics and chemistry to an exciting new subject.
You’ll gain practical experience in the lab and develop your communication and analytical skills alongside the technical content. There’ll be a focus on applications and sustainability. All students take the same modules in year 1.
Course highlights
- 6th
in the UK for Materials Technology
Complete University Guide 2025
- 9th
in the UK for Materials Technology
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Birmingham is ranked 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 12th amongst UK universities.
Combining science, maths and engineering you’ll learn to understand the materials all around us. Discover how materials behave, how to use them and improve them to develop new products. Apply your knowledge to real-world challenges and build project management and teamworking skills.
With an estimated 70% of innovation due to advances in materials, your career will put you at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries. Learn from our global experts and benefit from links to key employers as you begin your graduate career.
- Enter a stimulating academic community, where students, staff and industry collaborate to solve research challenges
- Join a small, friendly academic community with enhanced staff contact time and support
- Learn from a wide-range of Materials Science subject experts
- Benefit from strong industrial partnerships during integrated research projects and networking events
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
Materials Science and Engineering at Birmingham combines teaching from lecturers who are global experts in their field, with excellent facilities and labs to enhance your experience. We have strong partnerships with key employers who provide projects and work placements for our students and regularly recruit from our pool of graduates.
Lecture
Tutorial
Practical assignments
1:1 Supervision
Projects
- Learn about cutting-edge developments in your chosen areas of interest, with lectures delivered by world-leaders in their fields
- Participate in tutorials that promote independent problem-solving and enquiry-based learning
- Develop a spectrum of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, time management, and communication through project work
- Gain valuable experience by taking part in practical assignments that simulate real-world tasks and cultivate job-ready skills
- Benefit from 1:1 supervision that offers personalised learning which gives you the opportunity to get tailored guidance and feedback that meets your individual needs
Our School is part of the largest centre for materials research in the UK and our facilities provide you with the best possible environment to grow and succeed. Our first-class teaching and laboratory facilities include state-of-the-art study spaces and computer suites where we use the latest educational technologies to reinvent lab classes and showcase the fundamental principles behind materials engineering.
You can choose to do a year in industry between years 2 and 3. We will support you to find suitable internships and you'll be mentored by academic members of staff throughout the application and your placement. This is an invaluable opportunity to take a role in a company applying your theoretical knowledge to real-world issues.
Alternatively, you can choose to spend a year studying abroad at an international university between years 2 and 3 of your degree. This will give you an opportunity to study in a new environment, experience a new culture and maybe improve your foreign language skills.
Assessment
Assessment of your learning will comprise a mixture of written exams and continually assessed coursework. As well as end-of-year exams and written assignments, assessment methods include oral presentations, computer-based tests, laboratory and project reports.
Each module is assessed independently and most contain some components of continuous assessment. Some modules are completely assessed by either examination or coursework.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Modules are either worth 10 or 20 credits, and you will take modules totalling 120 credits each year. Years 1 and 2 are exclusively compulsory modules. Year 3 is a combination of compulsory and optional modules.
2025/26
Core modules
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Magnetic Engineering | 20 | Full Term |
| Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainability | 20 | Full Term |
| Mathematics and Computing for Engineers | 20 | Full Term |
| Mechanics and Structures | 20 | Full Term |
| Practical and Design Skills for Materials Science | 20 | Full Term |
| Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Fluids | 20 | Full Term |
Teaching staff
Dr Mark Ward
Admissions Tutor
Dr Mark Ward's staff profile.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
AAB to include A-level Mathematics and one of Physics, Chemistry or Design and Technology.
- IB
6,6,5 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and either Physics, Design Technology or Chemistry, with a minimum of 32 points overall.
- BTEC
BTEC only considered when combined with other qualifications.
Number of A-levels required: 3.
Required subjects and grades: A-level Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics.
General Studies not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.
Foundation Year
Would you like to study this course but lack the entry qualifications? You can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses. Learn more:
- UK students (not eligible if studying A-level Mathematics)
- international students
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
- Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer. For more information, please contact outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
BBB to include Maths or Further Maths and one from Physics, Chemistry or Design & Technology.
- Contextual Offer
ABB to include Maths or Further Maths and one from Physics, Chemistry or Design & Technology.
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
- £9,535
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Course scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships which are exclusive to our programmes.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Apply
The UCAS code for this course is J5F2.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
- 29 January 2025
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
Career opportunities
Prepare for a thriving career in Materials Science and Engineering. This course will equip you with the technical, analytical and professional skills to lead change and innovation in a number of fascinating sectors including aerospace, automotive, biomedical, sport and sustainable development fields. As a student of Materials Science and Engineering at Birmingham, you will get a front-row seat to the latest innovations in the field, giving you a cutting-edge advantage as you make your first steps into the industry.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.