The world works based on minerals and mineral extraction. All the resources and materials obtained from beneath the surface of the Earth are used to sustain the life that lives above the surface. Therefore, mankind needs minerals, materials and resources to survive in the world. The detailed study of mineral extraction and studying such materials is called Materials Sciences or Materials Engineering. Materials Engineering is a branch of study that focuses on obtaining minerals from the Earth, ensuring they are obtained safely, and the extraction process of minerals is carried out properly. 

Material engineering is a course offered by most universities across the United Kingdom. Universities in the UK have programmes designed so that students are employed with theoretical knowledge coupled with industrial experience. A hands-on approach is what makes materials engineering in the UK an option worth exploring. 

To study materials engineering in the UK, students must be able to come up with new technologies to improve on the existing methods of mineral extraction. The responsibility of mankind towards nature is being highlighted more than ever these days. Being a materials engineer is responsible for making sure that new materials are designed sustainably from minerals. The career has vast opportunities for an individual to become a compelling engineer and designer of mineral technologies. 

Job Prospects in the UK:

The jobs requiring a Materials Engineer in the United Kingdom are available in fair abundance. The universities in the United Kingdom give students access to the job market to find employment in their field of choice. The field a Materials Engineer works in depends on the organisation that an individual is working for and the minerals that the individual typically works with. 

The most common roles that a Materials Engineer needs to fulfil are performing tasks such as analysing and selecting the right minerals to come up with composite materials and assessing the qualities of the mineral. However, while doing so, a major task that dawns upon any Materials Engineer is to make sure the waste is minimised, and the impact of the physical process on the environment is minimised. 

Materials Engineering is a broad sector that offers employment opportunities across industries and sectors. Employers can be huge multinational corporations extensively involved in mineral extraction and conversion or research laboratories that perform studies in the subject. A materials engineer might end up working with the common minerals that include carbon fibre, glass, chemicals, industrial minerals, metals, and more. 

Income of a Materials Engineer in the UK:

Materials Engineering in the UK gives individuals pay that is well above the minimum wage and is a highly regarded profession. Income in the industry may differ between locations, industries, and sectors. 

The average salary of a Materials engineer in the United Kingdom is just shy of £33,500 a year. 

The pay grade also depends on the quality of work done and the experience that an individual brings. Most entry-level materials engineers could obtain a salary of around £28000 a year. As engineers become more experienced in their field, salaries can increase up to £35000. The highly experienced engineers who have been in the field for a very long time have been reported to earn an income of about £48000 a year. 

Universities in the United Kingdom for Materials Engineering: 

The UK has some of the best universities equipped with the best faculty to offer an insight into the subject of materials engineering. In addition, most universities share close ties with the industry resulting in a very practical teaching method. 

The best universities for materials engineering in the UK that is held in high regard include: 

• University of Cambridge 
• University of Oxford 
• Imperial College London
• University of Manchester 
• University of Sheffield 
• The University of Nottingham.

Degrees offered by Universities in Materials Engineering: 

The universities in the United Kingdom offer degrees in materials engineering at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Besides these, if individuals wish to pursue their studies further in the field, they could even apply for research degrees or give exams to become a Chartered Engineer. Chartered Engineers are those who are specialised individuals in their field. 

The degrees in materials engineering available at the undergraduate level are:

• BEng in Materials Science and Engineering with Industry Experience
• BSc in Metallurgy and Materials Science 

The degrees available at the postgraduate level are: 

• MSc in Materials Chemistry 
• MEng in Materials Engineering with Industry Experience

Entry Requirements: 

Universities in the United Kingdom require a background that shows an understanding of science concepts for pursuing an undergraduate degree. The student should have also passed these subjects with an A-Level grade. Besides this, the universities also require IELTS scores to assess proficiency in English. A score of 6.5 is usually accepted. 

Suppose students are going for a master’s degree in materials engineering. In that case, the language scores remain the same while the subject requirements ask you to have a degree from a recognised university with First or Upper Second Class Honours. 

Besides the above, students are also required to submit essays or cover letters depending upon university requirements. Some universities may even take interviews to assess the quality of the individual’s candidacy as a student.