Materials science/technology: Further study

A 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates indicates that six months after finishing their course just over 13% of materials science/technology  graduates had gone on to further study or a combination of work and further study.

Postgraduate study at MSc, MRes or PhD level enables materials graduates to acquire specialist knowledge in a particular sector (e.g. offshore, aerospace), material (e.g. composites, glass) or area (e.g. nanotechnology). Relevant courses of study are available across the UK and a list of industry-accredited universities is available from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) .

Materials graduates wishing to remain within their professional field may also take additional training and qualifications in appropriate software, such as Finite Element Analysis modelling, or industry relevant standards.

Those wanting to move outside the materials field may opt to study for a professional qualification in law, finance or teaching.

These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.

For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.