Options with materials science/technology
A materials science/technology degree course covers a combination of engineering, scientific and mathematical disciplines. It may be studied as a single honours degree or as a joint/combined subject with a range of other subjects.
During the course you gain an understanding of manufacturing, processing and the fabrication of materials, their properties and performance in different environments, and learn to design using different materials to meet particular specifications.
Studying for a materials science/technology degree also provides you with a strong set of transferable skills valued by employers. These include:
Presentations and group projects help to develop strong oral communication skills, including the ability to articulate your ideas clearly and concisely, to persuade and negotiate with others and to build interpersonal relationships. These are key skills for many materials-based roles, which often involve consulting, advising clients or colleagues and working in cross-functional teams.
You also study your academic subject in context, providing you with an understanding of the challenges currently facing the science and engineering sectors, including issues concerning the environment, sustainability, cost saving and competition from overseas production.
Employers are increasingly looking for evidence of practical work experience because it demonstrates a genuine interest in your discipline, knowledge of how to apply your academic learning and a commitment to supporting your future employability. If your course offers an industrial placement component, you would be strongly advised to consider this option. Independently arranged vacation placements are equally valuable.
Voluntary work (fundraising, organising events, community outreach) or getting involved in university life (clubs, societies, Students’ Union) may help to develop key skills such as managing projects, working in multidisciplinary teams and interacting with people from different backgrounds.
You may also want to join the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) , which offers student membership rates. The IOM provides access to information, training and networking opportunities, as well as competitions and awards.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
Six months after graduation 36% of materials science graduates are in full-time employment. A further 13% are combining further study and work.
Of those entering employment, around 15% go into professional engineering-based roles. A further 16% take on roles in research, analysis and development and another 22% take on other technical roles.
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 developed during a materials science degree mean graduates are suited to many numerate roles, project management, technical sales positions, the law profession (specialising in industrial law) or even design-based positions.
Opportunities for materials graduates are available in the manufacturing sector related to materials science and engineering. 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. Opportunities are also available in teaching and research.
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.
Opportunities are also available in a wide range of other industries such as finance (e.g. accountancy, banking, stockbroking and consultancy), publishing, advertising, the civil service and general administration.
For an insight into potential employment areas see:
For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within 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?
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.
