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MSc Polymer Materials Science and Engineering

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
MSc
Duration
Full-time: 12-months;
Entry requirements

You will need a UK 2.2 Honours degree or overseas equivalent in the following backgrounds; Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Engineering, Composite Materials and Engineering, Biofunctional Materials, Metallurgy and Macromolecular Materials and Engineering. We can consider Biomaterials, Material Physics and other backgrounds on a case by case basis.

Full entry requirements

How to apply
Apply online.

As there is high demand for this course we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Please find more information in our Application and Selection section .

If you are made an offer, in order to confirm your place you will be required to make a deposit payment of £1,000 on or before the deadline date stated in your offer letter.

Please note, refunds are only given for a limited number of reasons, see our page on Acceptance deposits for more information.

Sustainable Development Goals

Find out how this course aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:

  • Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
  • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 15: Life on land

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y N N N

Course overview

  • Learn in our brand-new  Home of Engineering and Materials . A purpose-built space for innovation and creativity that is transforming the way our students study, research and shape the world
  • Develop your skills and knowledge in the chemistry, physics, properties, characterisation and applications of polymeric materials.
  • Gain hands-on training through conducting an extended research project embedded in our world-leading research groups.
  • We are ranked 4th in the UK and among the top 25 in the world for Materials Science (QS World University Rankings 2023).
  • Accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).
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MSc Polymer Materials Science and Engineering overview

Open days

For details of the next University Postgraduate open day, please see open days and visits .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £14,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £36,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and awards to outstanding UK and international students each year.

The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study, and allocates £300,000 in funding each year. Our  Manchester Master's Bursaries  are aimed at widening access to master's courses by removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from underrepresented groups.

For more information, see the Department of Materials  Fees and funding  page or visit the University of Manchester  funding for master's courses  website for more information.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.

Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.

To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our courses address.

  • Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

    Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

  • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

    Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

    Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

  • Goal 15: Life on land

    Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Contact details

Department
Department of Materials
Contact name
Admissions Office
Telephone
+44 (0)161 529 3043
Email
Website
https://www.materials.manchester.ac.uk
School/Faculty

Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality.  Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

You will need a UK 2.2 Honours degree or overseas equivalent in the following backgrounds; Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Engineering, Composite Materials and Engineering, Biofunctional Materials, Metallurgy and Macromolecular Materials and Engineering. We can consider Biomaterials, Material Physics and other backgrounds on a case by case basis.

English language

All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language. Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain the required English Language score:

  • IELTS:  at least 6.5 overall with no sub-test below 6.0.
  • TOFEL iBT:  at least 90 overall with no sub-test below 20. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'.
  • Pearson PTE: at least 70 overall with no sub-test below 65.

Further information on language requirements can be found on our website .

Pre-sessional English

We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you may be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.

To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:

  • 6 Week Pre-Sessional Course:  Minimum 6.0 overall with no sub-test below 5.5.
  • 10 Week Pre-sessional Course: Minimum 5.5 overall with no sub-test below 5.5.

If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate.

English language test validity

Some English language test results are only valid for two years. Your English language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Professional entry qualification

A combination of educational and professional qualifications and industrial experience may also be approved for admission onto the programme. There is no specific entry requirement for registration for single units.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online.

As there is high demand for this course we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Please find more information in our Application and Selection section .

If you are made an offer, in order to confirm your place you will be required to make a deposit payment of £1,000 on or before the deadline date stated in your offer letter.

Please note, refunds are only given for a limited number of reasons, see our page on Acceptance deposits for more information.

Staged admissions

Due to the competition for places, we give preference to students with grades above our minimum entry requirements. If we make you an offer, you will have 6 weeks in which to accept. Any offers not accepted within 6 weeks will be withdrawn so that an offer can be made to another candidate.

Stage 1: Application received by 27 October 2023. Decision by 15 December 2023.

Stage 2: Application received by 15 December 2023. Decision by 16 February 2024.

Stage 3: Application received by 23 February 2024. Decision by 26 April 2024

Stage 4: Application received by 03 May 2024. Decision by 28 June 2024.

You need to submit your supporting documents with your application as it may delay us processing your application by the decision deadline.

Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next stage. If this is the case we will let you know.

Applications received after our final application deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

Please note: All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be closed. We therefore recommend that you apply early in the cycle to secure your place with us.

Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must demonstrate that they have met all the conditions of their offer by 31st July 2024.

Advice to applicants

We require the following documents before we can consider your application.   

*Latest transcripts of study showing all modules completed including credit weighting and grades achieved   

*If you have not yet graduated, a list of the modules that you will be completing in the final year of your degree together with their credit weighting   

*An official document from your university verifying your current weighted average mark if this information is not included in your transcript of study. Please note : this must be recorded as a percentage, not as a GPA grade, and must give the weighted average mark, not an arithmetic average mark   

*We require a reference from someone who has knowledge of your academic ability in support of your application.  In most cases this should be an academic reference, from a lecturer or professor at your last/current university.  In some cases (for example, if your academic studies occurred some time ago) it might be more appropriate to submit a recommendation from someone who is familiar with your professional experience.  If you have difficulty in identifying a suitable referee you should ask for advice from the admissions team.  We will contact the referee directly after you submit your application and direct them to complete our online reference form.   

*Degree certificate if you have already graduated.   

*Curriculum vitae (CV) if you graduated more than three years ago.

If English is not your first language, we also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application.

We may be willing to consider your application without this document, but if we choose to make you an offer, the conditions will include IELTS (or equivalent qualification).You must submit all these supporting documents with your application. If any of the above information is missing, we will not be able to consider your application and it will be rolled forward to the next stage or withdrawn.

How your application is considered

We consider your full academic history including which course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in relevant course units in our final decision making.

If you graduated more than three years ago, we will also consider the information contained on your CV and any relevant work experience you have to assess if you are still able to fulfil the entry criteria.

Interview requirements

No interview is required for this course.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

CAS information  

Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.

If you have previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4 visa as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please send a copy of your previous CAS statement to us as it will assist with the issue of your new CAS statement. This includes study in the UK on study abroad programmes and any study that you did not complete.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.

Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are not accepted for this course. If you receive an offer for 2024 entry and decide not to accept it, should you subsequently wish to be considered for 2025 entry you would be required to reapply.  Please note: as we do not offer deferrals it is not possible to roll forward any previous deposits paid.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

The Polymer Materials Science and Engineering MSc is a multidisciplinary course with the aim of giving students a rich understanding of the chemistry, properties, processing, characterisation and application of polymers. A wide range of polymers are considered, including commodity, speciality and those with applications in biomedicine, composites, nanotechnology and electronics. We aim to bring students to the cutting-edge of polymer research, including the latest materials and techniques, with the opportunity to conduct research in world-leading research groups and facilities. 

The MSc course is made up of taught course units and a research dissertation. The taught course units are delivered through a combination of lectures and practical laboratory work.

Aims

  • To provide knowledge and understanding of the link between polymer chemical structures, physical properties, processing methods and ultimate applications.
  • To provide knowledge and understanding of the material science principles that govern the behaviour of polymers and other materials.
  • To develop skills in the synthesis and characterisation of polymers.
  • To develop skills in problem solving, project management and independent research.

Special features

The polymer materials science and engineering program has a strong focus on research from the start. It has an interdisciplinary curriculum, taught by specialists from a range of disciplines, including chemistry, physics, composites, nanomaterials and processing.

Teaching and learning

We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including tutorials, workshops, seminars and research projects.

Find out more by visiting the  postgraduate teaching and learning  page.

Coursework and assessment

We will assess your progress using:

  • written reports
  • oral presentations
  • laboratory reports
  • examinations
  • dissertation project

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
PGT Dissertation MATS63330 90 Mandatory
Introduction to Materials Science MATS64101 15 Mandatory
Research Methods MATS64201 15 Mandatory
Principles of Polymers & Composites MATS68301 15 Mandatory
Control & Design of Polymerisation Reactions MATS68502 15 Mandatory
Polymer Physics & Physical Properties MATS68602 15 Mandatory
Advanced Composites MATS64602 15 Optional
Soft Matter MATS65602 15 Optional

Additional fee information

Additional fee information

If you are made an offer, in order to confirm your place you will be required to make a deposit payment of £1,000 on or before the deadline date stated in your offer letter.

We ask for the deposit as competition for places is high and there is limited availability. The deposit amount is then deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.

Once we receive your payment, your place on the course will be confirmed.

The deposit is non-refundable, except in the following situations:

  • You fail to meet the conditions of your offer
  • You are refused a visa or entry clearance to enter the UK
  • Your application for government funding has been unsuccessful

Evidence must be provided before a refund will be processed under any of the circumstances above.

If your offer specifies an English Language condition which you subsequently do not meet, the Admissions Team will require the official certificate of an English Language test taken after the date of the offer as evidence that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions. The English language test certificate provided with your application documents is not accepted as proof that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions as it will pre-date the offer.

If your offer specifies an academic condition, the Admissions Team will require official university documentation as evidence that you have not met the condition from the institution at which you studied.

Scholarships and bursaries

Across our institution, we offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and awards to outstanding UK and international students each year.

The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study, and allocates £300,000 in funding each year. Our Manchester Masters Bursaries are aimed at widening access to master's courses by removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from underrepresented groups.

For more information, see the Department of Materials Fees and funding page or visit the University of Manchester funding for master's courses website for more information.

If you are a sponsored student please check the requirements of your sponsorship before registering on a course. If you require further information please contact the Department.

Facilities

The Department of Materials has moved to a brand new, state-of-the-art building, designed to transform the way our students study, research and shape the world. Our new Home for Engineering and Materials boasts a range of teaching spaces, lecture theatres, multi-purpose study areas, social spaces and of course fantastic laboratories.

The excellent materials science labs we have underpin our research and teaching activities. As well as our extensive laboratory facilities, including the electron microscopy suite, 3D printing, polymer processing equipment, corrosion labs, mechanical testing equipment and chemistry laboratories, we also have the National Graphene Institute and Henry Royce Institute right on our campus. Manchester is the place to be if you're a materials scientist!

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Graduates of this course have gone on to fill key posts as materials scientists, engineers, managers and consultants in academia, industry and research and development. Some graduates also continue their research in one of our PhD programmes within the Department.

Recent graduates of this MSc have gone on to work for companies including:

  • The University of Manchester
  • ABInBev Nigeria
  • Saudi Food & Drug Authority
  • Printpak
  • Airbus D&S
  • UBS Investment Bank
  • American University of Beirut
  • Nestlé
  • Applied Graphene Materials
  • QUB

Accrediting organisations

This course is accredited by the  Engineering Council  and  Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining  (IOM3).

Upon graduating with an a an accredited Bachelor’s (with Honours) in engineering/technology plus further learning of an accredited Master’s - such as this MSc course- students will have fulfilled the educational requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).