Program Overview

Materials Science and Engineering MEng

The Materials Science and Engineering MEng at Sheffield offers a unique balance of research and practical industrial experience, preparing you for diverse careers in both research and industry.

Course Description

Discover the underlying principles of materials science and how these are applied across materials engineering situations. Keep your course general or tailor your degree with optional materials modules. You'll interact directly with industry through industrial focussed projects, and in the final year undertake a research project embedded in one of our leading research groups.

Modules

• First year:
  • Performance and Sustainability of Materials
  • Functional Materials and Applications
  • Thermodynamics and Mechanics of Materials
  • Biology and Chemistry of Materials
  • Mathematics for Materials Engineers
  • Skills for Materials Engineers
  • Global Engineering Challenge Week
• Second year:
  • Deformation and Failure of Materials
  • Advanced Skills for Materials Engineers
  • Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials
  • Structure and Characterisation of Materials
  • Functional Materials
  • Industrial Materials Processing
  • Engineering - You're Hired
  • Optional modules:
    • Biology and Chemistry of Living Systems
    • Materials and Energy
    • Perspectives in Materials Research
    • Materials Development Group Project
    • Biomaterials II
• Third year:
  • Industrial Finance and Management
  • Advanced Materials and Degradation
  • Industrial Training Programme: Inorganic Materials
  • Surface Degradation and Protection
  • Introduction to Finite Element Modelling
  • Industrial Training Programme: Nuclear Materials
  • Accounting and Law for Engineers
  • Optional modules:
    • Advanced Ceramics
    • Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology
• Fourth year:
  • Research Project & Literature Review
  • Optional modules:
    • Nuclear Reactor Engineering
    • Glasses
    • Metallurgical Processing
    • Atomistic and Mesoscale Modelling of Materials
    • Design and Manufacture of Composites
    • Polymer Processing
    • Composite Materials and Micromechanics
    • Nanostructures and Nano-structuring
    • Advanced Nuclear Systems

Learning and Assessment

You'll learn through lectures, labs, tutorials and problem classes. We take a 'learn by doing' approach to our courses, so that you develop transferable, industry relevant skills and use equipment found in the workplace.

Entry Requirements

• Standard offer: AAA, including two of Maths, Physics or Chemistry
• Access Sheffield offer: AAB, including two of Maths, Physics or Chemistry
• Other qualifications: International Baccalaureate, BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, T Level, Scottish Highers + Advanced Higher/s, Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels, Access to HE Diploma
• English language requirements: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C, IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

Graduate Careers

Our graduates are in demand and go on to achieve success in leading industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, construction, and renewable energy. They develop advanced materials, improve manufacturing processes, and drive innovation.

Department

The School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering is at the heart of groundbreaking innovation and research. With over 135 years of history, the University has long been a hub for materials science excellence.

University Rankings

• A world top-100 university (QS World University Rankings 2026)
• Number one in the Russell Group (based on aggregate responses, National Student Survey 2025)
• 92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• University of the Year for Student Experience (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)

Fees and Funding

• Home students: £9,535 (2025 annual tuition fee)
• Overseas students: £30,570 (2025 annual tuition fee)
• Additional costs: Materials for the Industrial Training Programme modules and all final year individual projects will be covered by your tuition fee.
• Funding: £2,500 per year scholarships for international students, Student Funding Calculator

Placements and Study Abroad

• Industry contact: Close relationships with businesses across a broad range of industry sectors
• Placement: Optional industrial placement year, converting the four-year course to a five-year Degree with an Industrial Placement Year
• Study abroad: Opportunity to extend this course with a year abroad, usually between the second and third year, with over 250 University partners worldwide.