Materials scientist

Materials engineers research the behaviour of materials used in industry to make them stronger, lighter and more hard-wearing.

Salary range: £20,000 to £45,000

How to become a materials engineer

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You’ll normally need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree. Relevant subjects include:

• materials engineering
• materials science or technology
• applied chemistry
• applied physics

You could also take a degree course specialising in one group of materials or their commercial use, for example metallurgy, polymer science, biomaterials, or sports and materials science.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a materials science technologist degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in materials engineering from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• maths knowledge
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• knowledge of physics
• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

• researching new ways to combine materials
• analysing test data, using computer modelling software
• developing prototypes for new products
• designing manufacturing processes that use new materials
• investigating the reasons behind component or structural failures
• supervising a team of technicians
• writing reports 

Working environment

You could work at a manufacturing plant, in a laboratory or in an office.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into project management or technical sales. You could also specialise in a particular material, or work in research and consultancy.

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