Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Materials Science and Engineering with Nanomaterials

Explore nanomaterials, with a direct impact on all aspects of modern life.
  • Duration: 4 Years Full Time
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: F206 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

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Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £38,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

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

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .

Course unit details:
Advanced Metals Processing

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS43102
Credit rating 15
Unit level Level 7
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by Department of Materials
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit aims to apply and extend metallurgical knowledge through exploring the science behind advanced processing technologies and showing how they can be used to obtain novel microstructures and unique properties in metallic alloys. 

Aims

The unit aims to:

  1. Provide an overview of advanced metal processing technologies used to produce components in high value added products (e.g. aerospace), including their applications, and advantages and disadvantages: with a focus on near-net-shape.
     
  2. Explore the metallurgical science behind advanced processing - the effect of the process conditions on a materials’ microstructure and the resultant component performance.
     
  3. Discuss how specialised metal processing can be used to obtain novel microstructures and unique properties in metallic alloys.

 

Learning outcomes

A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Intellectual skills
  • Practical skills
  • Transferable skills and personal qualities

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, group tutorials (problem sessions), recommended textbooks, web resources, past exam papers, electronic supporting information (Blackboard).

 

 

Knowledge and understanding

• Recognize the use of advanced metal processing technologies and their applications
 
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different processing technologies
 
• Explain the metallurgical science behind advanced processing - the effect of the process conditions on microstructure and the resultant component performance
 

 

Intellectual skills

• Discuss the industrial drivers for processing difficult to shape advanced materials.
 
• Have a broad knowledge of the different technologies available for advanced processing semi-finished products and their advantages, disadvantages and applications.
 
• Understand the general metallurgical principles involved in each process to make them work and the mechanisms involved.
 
• Understand the issues, problems, and limitations of each process.
 
• Understand how the processes interact with the materials to change their microstructure and how this can be exploited to optimise the process and improve component performance,
 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles exploited in advanced processing of industrial alloys to overcome the challenges the materials present, design microstructures and develop improved properties.
 
• Have awareness of the applications of advanced processing technologies and the socio-economic benefits.
 

Practical skills

• Show improved logical reasoning, problem solving and ability in applied mathematics.
 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the effect of changing the chemistry and microstructure/architecture of a material on its properties.
 
• Apply simple models to predict processing conditions and material behaviours.
 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Perform simple calculations of to estimate processing variables
 
• Convert word problems into equations and numerical answers.
 
• Develop techniques for estimating the results from calculations.
 
• Work effectively in a group to solve problems.
 

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 70%
Written assignment (inc essay) 30%

Feedback methods

Feedback given (Written and verbal)

Recommended reading

  • “Phase transformations in Metals and Alloys”, D.A. Porter, K.E. Easterling, M. Sherif, Pub. Chapman and Hall, 2009.
  • “Mechanical Metallurgy”, G.E. Dieter, McGraw-Hill
  • “Additive Manufacturing Technologies”, Gibson, Rosen and Stucker ; Pub. Springer
  • “Superplasticity in Metals and Ceramics”, T. G. Nieh, J. Wadsworth, O. D. Sherby, Cambridge University Press.
  • “Powder Metallurgy Technology” , G. S. Upadhyaya , Universities Press, 2011

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 30
Practical classes & workshops 3
Tutorials 3
Independent study hours
Independent study 114

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Wajira Mirihanage Unit coordinator

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