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Materials Science and Engineering
Develop your appreciation of materials science and engineering and build your research expertise through to Master's level.
Course key facts
Qualification
MEng
Duration
4 years
Start date
October 2027
UCAS course code
JFM2
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Applications: places
8 : 1 (2025)
Minimum entry standard
AAA (A-level)
38 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Further your understanding of materials science and engineering (MSE) on this four-year Master's degree.
You'll assess how technological advances relating to materials are helping transform our lives, from the clothes we wear through to emerging, life-chasing technologies.
You'll investigate how the motivation to invent or improve materials can solve problems in areas including healthcare and transport.
You'll also consider the latest innovations in fields such as biomedical engineering, robotics and quantum computing.
This course will help you engage with both the scientific and engineering aspects of the discipline as you learn about the processing and performance of materials.
Experimental work in a laboratory setting is designed to help you build practical experience of key materials research techniques.
This includes the opportunity to design your own experiments and carry out investigations using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.
You'll then start to specialise across a series of optional modules during your third and fourth years.
Your final year will see your studies reach Master's level, with your work culminating in an individual research project.
You are embedded within a research theme of your choosing within the department as you build your research expertise alongside world-leading academics and researchers.
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Undergraduate events
Want to get a feel for life at Imperial?
Save the date for our next Open Days on 24–25 June and 12 September 2026. You can also find upcoming in-person and online events across the UK and overseas on our Events pages.
Search our eventsStructure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll study all core modules.
Core modules
- Mathematics and Computing
- Performance of Structural Materials
- Engineering Practice
- Fundamentals of Processing
- Structure 1
- Properties 1
You’ll study all core modules.
Core modules
- Mathematics and Computing 2
- Engineering Practice 2
- Materials Characterisation
- Properties 2
- Structure 2
- Performance of Functional Materials
You’ll study all core modules.
You’ll also choose four optional modules.
Core modules
- Materials Processing
- Processing Laboratory
- Theory and Simulation of Materials
- Managerial Economics
- Research Techniques
- I-Explore
Optional modules
- Sustainable Metallurgy
- Powder-Based Manufacturing
- Nanomaterials
- Math and Quantum Mechanics
- Biomaterials
- Optoelectronic Materials
- Advanced Characterisation
- Nuclear Fusion
- Magnetic Materials & Devices
- Materials Sustainability
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
You’ll complete a research project and choose four optional modules.
Core modules
- Individual Project
Optional modules
- Nuclear Materials
- Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage
- Density-Functional Theory
- Ceramics and Composites for Extreme Environments
- Materials for Quantum and Semiconductor Technologies
- Machine Learning for Materials
- Tissue Engineering
- Nanomedicine
- Aerospace Metallurgy
- Microstructure Engineering in Metal Processing
Professional accreditation
This degree is professionally accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council.
With a professionally accredited degree, you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. Professional accreditation also provides international recognition of your qualifications, which you can use to launch a career abroad.
With this integrated Master’s degree, you’ll fully meet the educational requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Becoming a Chartered Engineer can further enhance your career prospects and earning potential. It demonstrates your competencies and commitment to lifelong learning – providing you with recognition in your field and greater influence and opportunities.
Our accreditation agreement with IOM3 is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement is due to be renewed in August 2028.
Associateship
In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the Royal School of Mines (ARSM) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Laboratory work
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Group work
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Coursework
- Examination
Year 1
- 40% Title 1 goes here
- 60% Title 2 goes here
Year 2
- 35% Title 1 goes here
- 65% Title 2 goes here
Year 3
- 38% Title 1 goes here
- 62% Title 2 goes here
Year 4
- 67% Title 1 goes here
- 33% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
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Laboratory performance
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Laboratory reports
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Online programming tests
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Written coursework
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Group project reports
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Written examinations
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Poster presentations
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Research thesis
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Oral presentations
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Once applications open, you can register and start your application via the UCAS Hub. There, you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.
Applications open on 12 May 2026.
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
If your UCAS application indicates that you are likely to satisfy our requirements, you will be invited to an applicant day.
Applicant days are held on Wednesdays between November and March and run from 10.30 to 15.30. You will be expected to attend the whole day.
During an applicant day, you will hear from our Director of Undergraduate Studies and then our Admission Tutor.
Activities include:
- A 30 minute one-to-one interview with one of our lecturers. We aim for the interview to be more of a conversation. The main purpose of the interview is for us to see whether you are suitable for the course, as much as for you to decide if Imperial is the place for you.
- A 45 minute group task. The task will be an engineering-based problem-solving challenge to see your team working skills, as we deem this to be an important part of life at Imperial.
- A 45 minute Q&A with current student ambassadors where you will be able to ask them questions about the course and studying in London.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH10-03-02
- Descriptor: Materials technology
- Supervisor name: Professor Sandrine Heutz
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
The common structure of the first two years of our Materials degrees means that transfer between courses is usually possible at set points during your degree.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2027 entry
£10,050* per year
Fees to be confirmed
*Home tuition fees
In England and Wales, the UK government sets the maximum tuition fee (known as a 'fee cap') chargeable by universities for Home students. Imperial’s Home fees for undergraduate courses starting in 2027 will align with this cap, which means that, subject to parliamentary approval, they are expected to be £10,050.
It is current Imperial policy to charge Home fees in line with the Government’s fee cap. The UK government announced its proposed fee caps for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 academic years in November 2025.
The fee cap beyond this hasn’t been announced yet but the Government plans to increase the fee cap each year to match inflation.
So, you should expect a rise in your fee each year. As soon as we know what this will be for 2028- to 2029 academic year and beyond, we will publish it on our course pages.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
The loan is paid directly to the university.
You will start repaying it only after you leave your course, have a job, and are earning above a certain amount.
Once the repayments start, the amount you pay each month depends on how much you earn, not on how much you owe in total.
Upcoming changes: Lifelong Learning Entitlement
From January 2027, students who live in England can access student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) – a single funding system that brings together Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans.
The LLE currently applies to England only. Student finance in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is not affected by this change.
You can learn more about the LLE on the GOV.UK website.
Home students can apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help with their living costs.
How you apply for student finance depends on whether you have studied before and where you’re from or normally live. Find out more on the UK government's website.
Upcoming changes: Lifelong Learning Entitlement
From January 2027, students who live in England can access student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) – a single funding system that brings together Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans.
The LLE currently applies to England only. Student finance in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is not affected by this change.
You can learn more about the LLE on the GOV.UK website.
The Imperial Bursary is available to all Home undergraduate students with a household income below £70,000 per year.
The amount awarded is based on your household income, with up to £5,000/year available for students from the lowest income households.
It's money which you don't need to pay back, and it's paid on top of any government funding you may also receive.
It is available for each year of your course, as long as your annual household income remains below £70,000.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
Overseas fee
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2026-27 was £45,500.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
97% Of Imperial Materials graduates in work or further study*
- 97% Of Imperial Materials graduates in work or further study*
- 3%
91% Of Imperial Materials graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 91% Of Imperial Materials graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 9%
*2021-22 graduate outcomes data, published by HESA in 2024
Pursue career opportunities related to materials science and engineering.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Aerospace, healthcare & research and development (R&D) are just some of your options.
You’ll also be highly sought after in emerging sectors such as nanotechnology, biomedical materials, energy materials and quantum technologies.
Other potential career paths include automotive engineering, software development engineering, management consulting & manufacturing and technology.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 6728
- Email: materials@imperial.ac.uk
Visit the Department of Materials website.
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Meet our students
See what led our current students to study Materials Science and what they enjoy most about their course.
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Request info
Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Course data
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications