BEng (Honours) Materials Engineering
UCAS code
J51CAttendance
Full-time
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-timeAt a glance
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to develop new and innovative materials vital for advancement in aerospace technology, healthcare and environmental engineering. You train in labs equipped with the latest industry standard equipment and gain valuable experience with one our 2,000 national and international placement providers, such as TATA Steel or Rolls -Royce.
Key points
Learn about metals, polymers, ceramics and composites from fundamentals to state of the art advanced design and applications.
Gain the best possible professional experience with help from our placements team.
Qualify for a career in a market where graduates currently command high salaries.
Train on excellent industry standard facilities.
What is materials engineering?
Materials lie at the heart of engineering design and increasingly they control its advancement and its environmental responsibility. There is a continuous demand for new and improved engineering materials and in an increasingly technological world, there are endless opportunities to refine and improve materials for a range of industries including automotive, aerospace and healthcare.
About this course
Materials science and engineering influences our lives each time we use any device, machine or structure. This course gives you the knowledge and skills to equip you to tackle engineering challenges such as developing energy efficient and environmentally friendly machines and structures more efficient engines more powerful computers lighter civil engineering structures safer materials for the home more durable medical implants.
Study for a career as a materials engineer in an employment market where materials graduates enjoy exciting career prospects in both the UK and internationally. It is widely recognised that there is a significant shortage of qualified materials engineering graduates in the UK. Successfully completing this course will enable you to enter a buoyant employment market where our graduates currently command high salaries.
Learn about the structure, properties, processing and performance of materials used in industry, including the development of new or improved materials and advanced processing methods. Then gain a practical understanding of the critical links between the design and realisation of new products, processes and structures through design, testing and analysis in the lab. All of your studies are based around our excellent materials testing and analysis facilities.
We make sure that what you study is relevant to your future career through our longstanding relationships with industries, nationally and internationally. We work with these partners to ensure that course content meets current and specific industrial needs. Our links and partnerships include major organisations such as TATA Steel Rolls-Royce Network Rail Kimberley Clark.
In year three, you have the opportunity to apply what youve learnt in the lab with a one year paid work placement in industry. Our dedicated placement team supports you through the process and has contacts with over 2,000 national and international placement providers. Students typically earn between £12,000 to £15,000 a year.
Key areas of study
Key areas include
materials and manufacturing processes
engineering science and practice
materials testing, analysis and microstructural engineering
metals, ceramics, polymers and composite materials
management, business, societal and environmental aspects of materials
Associated careers
Materials engineers are employed in a variety of roles throughout the engineering industry, from steel production to the automobile and aerospace industries. Materials engineers are in demand due to a shortage of new graduates and qualified technicians. As a result there are excellent opportunities for your career development and progression.
As a graduate from this course you could find employment in automobile industries aerospace industries electronics industries defence.
There are also opportunities in materials processing and production involving metals, polymers, composites and ceramics. Alternatively you may wish to pursue a career in areas such as manufacturing process management and quality control quality assurance research and development design technical liaison.
Professional recognition
Subject to continuing accreditation, this course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. This accreditation meets the academic requirements for you to register with the Engineering Council as an incorporated engineer after you graduate. You must also have completed the whole course with us.
Subject to continuing accreditation, this course is also accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
Course content
Year one modules
materials and manufacturing processes engineering science engineering practice engineering mathematics
Year two modules
physical metallurgy of engineering materials manufacturing processes computing for engineers engineering, society and the environment process route evaluation engineering polymers and ceramics chemical metallurgy physical examination and testing of materials business and management for engineers
Year three
optional work placement
Final year modules
final year project quality and project management microstructural engineering of materials degradation and surface engineering composite materials joining technology and non-destructive testing materials processing
Assessment
coursework examinations
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
Normally a minimum of 220 UCAS points from A levels (or BTEC equivalent) including AS mathematics.
Applications from students who do not have this level of qualification but can demonstrate the ability to cope with the high level of study will also be considered.
Applicants are normally interviewed before being offered a place on the course.
Access an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
2013 entry requirements
Normally a minimum of 220 UCAS points from A levels (or BTEC equivalent) including AS mathematics.
Applications from students who do not have this level of qualification but can demonstrate the ability to cope with the high level of study will also be considered.
Applicants are normally interviewed before being offered a place on the course.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of professional bodies is included in the course fee.
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year.
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year.
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167 or email admissions@shu.ac.uk
For an informal discussion contact Mark Thompson on +44 (0)114 225 6867.