Physical sciences · Engineering
Materials Science
BSc, BA or equivalent
Overview
Materials Science is a course family, not one university programme and not an offer of a place. Students usually spend the degree on why materials behave as they do, and how that choice changes a design.. It is different from straight chemistry or straight mechanical engineering, though it borrows from both.. People who settle into it are often those who like linking a property you can measure to the structure inside a material.. Modules, placements and indicative grades vary by university and by year. Completing the degree does not by itself guarantee a job, professional registration or a later training place. International A levels and the IB Diploma are not treated here as the same qualification as GCE A level. Use the university's own page before you apply.
You want to study why materials behave as they do, and how that choice changes a design and you have checked that this degree is actually the route into the work you want.
straight chemistry or straight mechanical engineering, though it borrows from both.
like linking a property you can measure to the structure inside a material.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Structure of materials
- Mathematics
- Chemistry or physics
Year 2
- Metals, polymers and ceramics
- Testing
- Processing
Final year
- Failure and design
- Project
Skills
Useful before you start
- Careful reading
- Independent study
- Clear writing or calculation, depending on the subject
Developed during the degree
- Applying ideas to new problems
- Working with feedback
- Explaining your work
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Seminars or workshops, Independent study.
Assessment often includes Coursework, Exams, A project or dissertation.
Typical weekly commitment
A general estimate for this kind of degree. It is not a timetable from one university.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | AAB–AAA. Two of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics is a common pattern. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 36 points for AAB and 38 for AAA, including 17 or 18 across three Higher Level subjects. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 5, 4 for AAB and AP 5, 5, 5 for AAA, with GPA 3.0/4.0. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
Two of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics is a common pattern.
Often recommended: Mathematics.
GCSE and IGCSE
English language and mathematics at GCSE or IGCSE are commonly expected. Required grades differ by university. International GCSEs are not automatically treated as GCSEs.
Indicative only. Universities publish their own subject and grade requirements, and those can change.
Other ways in
- A foundation year is a separate published route, not an automatic backup.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
No admissions test is stored as usual for this course. A university can still set one for a particular year.
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
No individual UK course page is stored yet for this subject. Use the university site.
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Chemist
Alternative route
Materials roles can suit chemistry graduates and materials graduates. The job title is not automatic.
Research scientist
Common route
Research posts often expect a master's or doctorate.
Mechanical engineer
Alternative route
Materials knowledge supports engineering design. It is not the same as a mechanical engineering degree.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.