Materials Science and Engineering with a Year in Industry

Successful innovation depends on the selection and performance of key materials. From cars, aeroplanes and cruise ships, to sports equipment and musical instruments, the right materials can help to define technological progress.

Materials Science and Engineering explores how the properties of matter can be controlled. It includes elements of physics and chemistry, connecting closely with most other areas of engineering.

This degree will prepare you for a rewarding career across engineering sectors including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, sports, and energy generation.

Develop your analytical abilities whilst gaining hands-on experience of advanced equipment, establishing skills which are vital to securing employment in industry.

This course offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, giving valuable workplace experience as well as a salary that is currently over £15,000 on average. Support and guidance is provided to help secure your placement.

Why Materials Science and Engineering at Swansea? • 1st in the UK for Student Voice* (NSS 2024) • 1st for Student Experience (The Times Good University Guide 2025) • 3rd in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025) • 8th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide 2025) • 8th in the UK Materials Technology (The Times Good Univertsity Guide 2025) • Top 131 in the World (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Our state-of-the-art facilities include world-leading equipment for the characterisation of mechanical properties of metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials.

We also have an extensive range of laboratories housing scanning electron microscopes with full microanalysis and electron backscatter diffraction capabilities.

Visits to Tata Steel, Timet, Ensinger and Airbus will give you real industrial world insights. Our graduates also go on to have interesting and varied careers at companies such as, Tata Steel, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Atkins, GE Aviation, Mott MacDonald and Babcock International Group.