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BEng (Honours) Materials Technology

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BEng (Honours) Materials Technology

Degree apprenticeship

This degree apprenticeship will give you the understanding of materials engineering across numerous sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, healthcare, defence and energy, to progress as a materials science technologist.

 

 

 

 


How does the degree apprenticeship work?

You study a university course alongside 30+ hours of employment a week – so you'll need a relevant job role before you apply. The combination of the course and the job has to meet a national ‘apprenticeship standard’ – in this case the Materials Science Technologist apprenticeship, so you get to study for a recognised qualification, while earning a salary and having no student fees to pay.

Our next start date for this course will be in October 2023

The course normally takes 3.5 years part-time.


 

1. Course summary

  • You will learn the underlying principles of materials engineering and provides the skills to develop new materials such as body armour for defence, materials for engine parts, battery design, dental work, bone replacement and prosthetics.
  • Highly qualified staff will support your study including many who have gone through the same journey as you and/or have in-depth industrial experience and who can relate academic theory to real-world practice. 
  • You'll study in an environment that hosts state-of-the-art lab and teaching facilities with leading edge technology.

This course gives you the practical skills to start an career as a materials science technologist with an apprenticeship. Working and studying part-time means you bring practical knowledge gained in the workplace into the classroom and laboratory. You'll experience equipment, processes, different job roles and typical problems in the workplace which gives context and relevance to academic theory. You'll be supported by their individual academic supervisor and work based learning coach as well as a workplace mentor.


 

2. How you learn

Materials science technologists are at the forefront of materials innovation across numerous sectors including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, defence and energy. They support activities ranging from novel product development, performance testing and quality control, failure diagnosis, and production process design. You will learn the underlying principles of materials engineering and provides the skills to develop new materials such as body armour for defence, materials for engine parts, battery design, dental work, bone replacement and prosthetics.

You will develop of a portfolio of work to carry you through apprenticeships end point assessment. All degree apprenticeships require an end point assessment which could be an integrated part of the course or delivered as a standalone element. For more information please refer to this page.

You learn through

  • part-time study at the University
  • workplace learning
  • coursework
  • portfolio work
  • end point assessment


 

3. Where you'll study

You'll study at our City Campus, in modern teaching labs with cutting edge physical equipment and software applications which you will use during the course of your study.

4. Entry requirements

You need a job role to accompany your apprenticeship course

This has to be 30+ hours a week of employment in a relevant job role – and you would need your employer to agree to fund your course, either through government co-funding or the apprenticeship levy. You must also have the right to Abode in the UK.

You also need qualifications

The usual entry requirements include GCSE (or equivalent) maths and English language at Grade C, 4 or above – plus one of the following

112 UCAS points that include at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications to include mathematics or a mathematics-based subject to at least AS level. For example:

  • BBC at A Level including mathematics or a mathematics-based subject plus at least one other from physics, physical science, engineering science, computer science, technology, chemistry or other science or technology subject.
  • DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma in a science or technology-based subject (including passes in mathematics and two other science or technology-based modules)
  • A combination of qualifications which must include mathematics or a mathematics-based subject and may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies.
  • a equivalent qualification

Considerations will be given, under the discretion of the course leader, for applicants with appropriate work experience, through SHU's recognition of prior learning (RPL) process. Apprentices who RPL either English Language or Maths GCSEs at grade 4 or above will be required to gain this/these formal qualification/s before completion of the Degree Apprenticeship.

Applicants must be in employment within a suitable role associated with the materials and manufacturing industries that will enable them to gain the work-based learning and experience to meet the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard.




5. Modules

Year 1

• materials science for apprentices • materials and manufacturing engineering for apprentices • solid mechanics and materials characterisation • engineering mathematics and statistics for apprentices • ethical engineering practice (work-based learning) • investigative project for apprentices (work-based learning) •


Year 2 • engineering metallurgy for apprentices • engineering ceramics and polymers for apprentices • chemical and thermodynamic properties of materials for apprentices • developing an engineering portfolio •
engineering business management for apprentices (work-based learning) • applied project for apprentice (work-based learning) •


Year 3 • composite materials for apprentices • fracture, degradation and evaluation for apprentices • advanced manufacturing and microstructural engineering • management systems for apprentices (work-based learning) • engineering project & portfolio (40 credits, work-based learning) •


 

6. Fees and funding

You'll need an employer who can support your application – funding your course through government co-funding or the apprenticeship levy.

Funding options for employers.


 

How do I apply?

If you're already employed and your employer is willing to support your application, here's what you need to do.

If you don't have an employer who can support you yet, here's how you can look for opportunities.

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