Materials science/technology : Career areas

In 2009, around a third of materials science graduates were in full-time or part-time employment, six months after finishing their degree in 2008. This includes those who were working whilst studying part time. Almost half had chosen full-time further study options.

Of those entering employment, nearly a quarter (23%) went into professional engineering-based roles. A further 15% branched out into the business and finance sectors and a similar percentage chose to follow careers in the education sector.

The popular route for many materials graduates choosing to remain within engineering is to join a structured training programme that will support progression to chartered engineer status. 

The skills gained and developed during a materials science degree mean graduates are suited to many numerate roles, project management, technical sales positions or even design-based positions.

Where are the jobs?

Although traditional manufacturing and industry in the UK has been scaled back in recent years, there are still opportunities for materials graduates in these areas because of their knowledge of how to maximise the efficiency and lower costs of processes and how to manage environmental impact. As well as materials companies (e.g. paints, steel), employers may be in oil and gas, aerospace, utilities, pharmaceuticals, the nuclear industry, the armed forces and defence.

There are also many emerging and growth areas where materials graduates can find career openings, including nanotechnology, biomedical materials, high performance textiles, composites and the development of sustainable materials.

For more information on specific sectors, see, for example:

• Engineering - a diverse sector encompassing many different fields and roles, including consultancy, management, sales and research and development, as well as pure engineering roles.
• Energy and utilities - in the UK, these sectors include oil, gas and petroleum, nuclear power, coal, renewable energies, waste management and water industries. Roles in some areas, particularly oil and gas, are renowned for paying high salaries.
• Manufacturing - a challenging sector, facing tough competition from China and other emerging economies. It includes aerospace, chemicals, electronics, food and drink and more.

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.

Statistics are collected every year by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, with the data being collected within just six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out what do graduates do? and your degree...what next?