Master's in Materials Science
A postgraduate degree, usually one or two years after a bachelor's, that takes you deeper into one area of a field and often ends with a research project or thesis.
Overview
Why study a Master's in Materials Science?
A master's in Materials Science lets you go deeper into the subject or redirect a related degree towards materials. Taught programmes, usually titled MSc, MEng or MS, mix advanced modules with a substantial research project, while research master's such as the MPhil, MASc or thesis-based MS centre on a single investigation and can lead on to a PhD. Popular specialisms include metallurgy, polymers and composites, biomaterials, energy and battery materials, electronic materials, nanomaterials and computational materials science.
Programme length varies by country. Most taught master's in the United Kingdom last one year, US degrees one to two years, Canadian and Australian programmes around one and a half to two years, and master's in Germany and Japan normally two years. Many programmes are open to graduates in physics, chemistry, metallurgy and mechanical or chemical engineering, which makes materials a common choice for Indian B.Tech and B.Sc graduates who want to specialise. Some add bridging modules in the first term for students from neighbouring fields.
A master's is often how graduates enter a particular part of the field. Specialist knowledge counts in areas such as failure analysis, corrosion, additive manufacturing, semiconductor processing and battery development, and a programme with strong links to the relevant industry can help with projects and contacts. Check how much laboratory access a taught programme gives, who supervises projects and whether industry partners set or sponsor them. If you are considering a PhD later, a research-heavy master's will give you the most relevant experience.
Curriculum
What you may study
Master's programmes often include modules such as these.
- Advanced microstructure and phase transformations
- Advanced characterisation and electron microscopy
- Fracture, fatigue and failure analysis
- Corrosion and surface engineering
- Polymer and composite materials
- Biomaterials and medical devices
- Energy materials for batteries and solar cells
- Thin films and semiconductor materials
- Computational and data-driven materials design
- Research methods and dissertation project
Published programmes for Materials Science at Master's
No programmes for Materials Science at Master's are published yet.
Not in our catalogue yet: that reflects what Universta lists, not what universities teach.
Programmes show each university’s published offering. Course guides describe the course across universities.
Admission
Getting into Master's in Materials Science
Most programmes ask for a bachelor's in materials science, metallurgy, physics, chemistry or a related engineering discipline such as mechanical, chemical, production or aerospace engineering. Indian applicants usually need a B.Tech, B.E. or B.Sc with good marks, and universities often state a minimum percentage or CGPA that differs from one institution to another. Some programmes expect particular subjects in your degree, such as thermodynamics or solid-state physics, and a minority of US universities still want GRE scores, which many others no longer require.
You will generally need IELTS, TOEFL or PTE scores unless your previous degree was taught in English and the university accepts that as a waiver. Your statement of purpose should name the materials or problems you want to work on and connect them to projects, internships or laboratory work you have done. References from academics who know your practical work carry weight. For research master's, contacting a potential supervisor before applying is common in many countries.
Careers
Career pathways
With a master's degree, graduates often move into roles such as these.
- Materials Engineer
- Materials Scientist
- Failure Analysis Engineer
- Corrosion Engineer
- Polymer Scientist
- Composites Engineer
- Battery Materials Engineer
- Semiconductor Process Engineer
- Additive Manufacturing Engineer
- Characterisation Scientist
- Research and Development Engineer
- Patent Examiner
Sectors
Industries
Aerospace and Defence
Master's graduates qualify alloys, composites and coatings for engines and airframes, and investigate why parts crack, corrode or wear in service.
Semiconductors and Electronics
Graduates develop thin films, process steps and inspection methods for chips, displays and sensors, often in process integration or yield roles.
Energy and Batteries
Specialists work on electrode and electrolyte materials, battery cell development, hydrogen technologies and components for nuclear and renewable power.
Automotive and Transport
Graduates design lighter structures, choose materials for electric vehicles and improve joining, coating and recycling methods.
Medical Devices and Healthcare
Materials specialists develop and test implants, dental materials and device components, working closely with regulatory and quality teams.
Testing, Inspection and Certification
Consultancies and laboratories employ master's graduates to lead failure investigations, approve materials against standards and advise clients.
Who hires
Employers
- Rolls-Royce
- Airbus
- Intel
- Samsung Electronics
- Johnson Matthey
- Umicore
- Saint-Gobain
- BASF
- Tata Steel
- Bharat Forge
Named for illustration only; not a ranking, endorsement or partnership.
Outlook
Looking ahead
Demand for materials expertise is following some large industrial shifts. Battery production, semiconductor manufacturing and hydrogen technologies are expanding in Europe, North America and Asia, and several governments, including India's, are supporting new factories in these areas. Lower-carbon steel and cement, lighter vehicles and aircraft, and the recovery of critical metals all depend on understanding how materials are made and how they fail, so specialist master's training can be directly relevant.
Methods are changing too. Materials informatics uses databases, simulation and machine learning to narrow down candidate materials before anything is made, and automated laboratories are speeding up testing. Graduates who pair laboratory experience with coding and data analysis are useful in both research and industry. A master's can also be a step towards a PhD, so think about whether you want a research career before choosing between taught and research routes.
Specializations
Other Science specializations at Master's
Subject
Science at Master's
Questions
Questions about Master's in Materials Science
Can I apply for a Materials Science master's with a mechanical or chemical engineering degree?
Often, yes. Many materials master's programmes accept graduates in mechanical, chemical, production, aerospace or metallurgical engineering, as well as physics and chemistry. Some add introductory modules on crystallography or phase diagrams in the first term. Check each programme's stated entry subjects and be ready to point to materials-related coursework, such as strength of materials or engineering chemistry.
What is the difference between a taught and a research master's in Materials Science?
A taught master's is built around lectures, laboratory classes and a project, usually in the final few months, and suits students heading into industry. A research master's is mostly a single supervised investigation with few or no lectures, and it is often a route into a PhD. Research master's are more likely to come with funding in countries such as Canada, while taught programmes usually charge full fees.
Do I need a master's to work as a materials scientist?
Not always. Many graduates start as materials engineers or technologists with a bachelor's, especially in metals, manufacturing and testing. A master's helps if you want a specialist role, such as battery development, semiconductor processing or failure analysis, or if you studied a neighbouring subject and want to move into materials. Research scientist posts usually expect a PhD.
Is the GRE required for Materials Science master's programmes?
Rarely outside the United States, and many US programmes have made it optional or dropped it. Where it is still requested, the quantitative section matters most. Requirements change from year to year, so check each programme's admissions page for the current rule before you book a test.
Plan
Plan your Master's
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