Materials Science and Engineering (Industrial) MEng, BEng

Course overview

From aerospace, communications and medicine, right through to everyday consumer goods like TVs, technical fabrics for high-performance clothing and sports equipment, the discovery and development of new materials have significantly impacted the world. Materials science is also at the forefront of global challenges like the move towards net zero, with new materials for energy generation and storage enabling reduced carbon emissions. This is why material scientists are highly sought after across a wide range of industries — and why it’s such a relevant discipline to learn.

Studying materials science and engineering at Leeds will equip you with a thorough grounding in the concepts that underpin materials science from an engineering, physics and chemistry perspective, alongside learning a range of transferable skills to equip you for a career in this fast-moving field.

As it’s a multidisciplinary course, you’ll benefit from the excellent facilities, research and teachings from three separate schools: the School of Chemical and Process Engineering, the School of Physics and the School of Chemistry.

You’ll be taught by expert academics, many of whom are members of the Bragg Centre for Materials Research and affiliated to the Sir Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, giving you the chance to interact and develop professional relationships with researchers at the forefront of the industry.

You’ll also have access to specialist facilities right here on campus, alongside exciting opportunities like studying abroad and industrial work placements to ensure you have the best grounding to head out into your professional career.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.

Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.

Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and International Project Qualification (IPQ): We recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ or IPQ we may make an offer of ABB at A-Level with an A in Mathematics and a B or higher in either Physics or Chemistry.

GCSE: English Language at grade C (4) or above, or an appropriate English language qualification. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: ABC including an A in Mathematics and a B in Physics or Chemistry.

For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Career opportunities

With rapidly growing and advancing industries, there is an increasing demand for qualified materials scientists and engineers for existing production processes and for the creation and improvement of brand-new materials.

This is why employment opportunities in this field can be far-reaching, with the potential to take you all over the world.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 10 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2023, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

The breadth of knowledge and experience, along with the teamwork, communication, research and IT skills, taught on the course are widely transferable and desirable to a whole host of employers.

Qualifying with a degree in materials science and engineering from Leeds will set you up with the core foundations you need to pursue an exciting career across a wide range of industries, including:

• Aerospace
• Sustainable materials
• Pharmaceuticals and fast-moving consumer goods
• Armed forces and defence
• Biomedical engineering
• Consumer goods manufacturing
• Sports equipment
• Telecommunications
• Transport