Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Study Details: 1 year
Materials are at the heart of nearly every technological innovation – from sustainable energy solutions to advanced medical devices. This MSc course offers you a comprehensive understanding of materials science and engineering, underpinned by our world-leading research and strong industry links.
You’ll explore how the structure, properties and performance of materials can be designed and optimised to meet real-world challenges in areas such as advanced manufacturing, energy, aerospace and healthcare. The course spans metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, giving you the knowledge and flexibility to work across a range of high-impact sectors.
Hands-on practical sessions are central to your learning. You’ll work with cutting-edge equipment and characterisation techniques in our dedicated laboratories, developing essential skills in materials testing, analysis and processing. You’ll also build confidence with computational tools, including programming and modelling, as part of your training in digital skills.
A major part of the course is the individual research project. Guided by an academic supervisor, you’ll contribute to cutting-edge work within one of our active research groups. Projects are aligned with industry needs or real-world applications, giving you valuable insight into the sector and strengthening your research, analysis, communication and project management skills.
Our state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities such as The Diamond Building and Henry Royce Centre include advanced microscopy, mechanical testing labs and high-performance computing resources, giving you experience with technologies used in industry and academia alike.
Graduates from this course go on to work in technical and leadership roles across a wide range of sectors, both in the UK and globally, or progress to further study. Many build careers in industries such as aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing.
Fully accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Graduates will have the underpinning knowledge for later professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject with relevant modules.
Many of our graduates go into industry, often as materials engineers. Others work across the energy sector, aerospace, automotive (including motorsport), and the built environment - where materials specialists are essential for roles like building insulation consultancy and sustainable construction.
Our graduates are employed by leading organisations in the UK and globally, such as:
Our course equips you with advanced knowledge of the structure, properties and performance of materials, along with the practical skills to apply this expertise in real-world engineering environments. You'll also build transferable skills in critical thinking, project management, data analysis and communication - highly sought-after by employers across industries, helping to boost your employability and career prospects.
As a postgraduate student at Sheffield, you’ll have access to tailored career support through our Careers and Employability Service, including one-to-one guidance, help with job applications, CV reviews and interview preparation. You’ll also benefit from employer networking events and exclusive opportunities through the Engineering Graduate Recruitment and Placement team, helping you explore and secure your next step after graduation.
Core modules:
Science of Materials
Advanced Materials Processing and Characterisation
Practical, Modelling and Digital Skills
Heat and Materials with Application
Choose one from this group
Glasses
Metallurgical Processing
Functional and Structural Ceramics
Nanomaterials Process Design
Advanced Nuclear Systems
Nuclear Reactor Engineering
Engineering Alloys
And choose one from this group
Energy Generation and Storage
Deformation, Fracture and Fatigue
Functional Nano- and Bio-nanomaterials
Design and Manufacture of Composites
Sustainable Materials Manufacturing
Advanced Materials Manufacturing
And take
Project
A QS world top-100 university Studying at the University of Sheffield means you’ll get the future that follows a degree from a Russell Group Universit...
Wed 29 Apr 2026