Materials Science and Engineering, BEng (Hons)

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Course Overview

Successful innovation depends on the selection and performance of key materials. From cars, aeroplanes and cruise ships, to sports equipment and musical instruments, the right materials can help to define technological progress.

Materials Science and Engineering explores how the properties of matter can be controlled. It includes elements of physics and chemistry, connecting closely with most other areas of engineering.

This degree will prepare you for a rewarding career across engineering sectors including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, sports, and energy generation.

Develop your analytical abilities whilst gaining hands-on experience of advanced equipment, establishing skills which are vital to securing employment in industry.

Why Materials Science and Engineering at Swansea?

  • 1st in the UK for Student Voice* (NSS 2024)
  • 1st for Student Experience (The Times Good University Guide 2025)
  • 3rd in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
  • 8th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide 2025)
  • 8th in the UK Materials Technology (The Times Good Univertsity Guide 2025)
  • Top 131 in the World (QS World University Rankings 2025)

This course offers you the opportunity to spend a YEAR IN INDUSTRY (UCAS H502), in the UK or overseas, giving valuable workplace experience as well as a salary that is currently over £15,000 on average. Support and guidance is provided to help secure your placement.

We also offer you the option to spend a YEAR ABROAD (UCAS H510) at a partner university which enriches the degree, giving you a valuable cultural experience which can broaden your horizons when seeking employment.

* Based on the average positivity score across questions 22 to 25 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide.

Your Materials Science and Engineering Experience

Our state-of-the-art facilities include world-leading equipment for the characterisation of mechanical properties of metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials.

We also have an extensive range of laboratories housing scanning electron microscopes with full microanalysis and electron backscatter diffraction capabilities.
 
Visits to Tata Steel, Timet, Ensinger and Airbus will give you real industrial world insights.

Materials Science and Engineering Employment Opportunities

Our graduates are set on course for a range of exciting career opportunities including:

  • Metallurgist
  • Product Development Scientist
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Manufacturing Systems Engineer 
  • Patent Examiner
  • Quality Manager
  • Process Development Scientist

Our graduates go on to have interesting and varied careers at companies such as, Tata Steel, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Atkins, GE Aviation, Mott MacDonald and Babcock International Group.

Modules

You will mostly study a set series of 10-credit modules, culminating in a final year 30-credit research project.

Becky explains her modules in Year 1 Materials Science and Engineering


Materials Science and Engineering, BEng (Hons)

Materials Science and Engineering with a Year Abroad, BEng (Hons)

Materials Science and Engineering with a Year in Industry, BEng (Hons)