PhD Materials: The University of Manchester

Course description

The School encompasses an exceptional breadth of research and training in materials, from design and development, to performance and protection and management and marketing. The School's activities are built on its global reputation for excellence in research and teaching, reflected in the award of a Queen's Anniversary Prize for outstanding postgraduate training and research in Corrosion and Protection. This, together with close industrial links, provides graduates with an excellent launch-pad for their future careers.

A number of specialist School research centres have been established, providing a focus on specific research areas involving nuclear science and engineering, metal/polymer and composite characterisation, aerospace technology and innovative knitted materials.

Career opportunities

Traditionally, the first destination of their materials science graduates was manufacturing industry, although approximately one third continued their education for a higher degree .In recent years, increasing numbers have found employment in IT companies, management consultancies and banking. Their degree programmes now span metallurgy, ceramics, polymeric materials, composites and biomaterials. All these materials themes are represented in the companies in which their graduates have found employment in recent years.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

For 2006/7, the standard academic entry requirements for a Masters programme (either taught or research) will be a Lower Second UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline. For a Doctorate level programme (e.g. PhD) it will be an Upper Second UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline or a first degree with an additional UK Masters degree (or international equivalent).

English language:

Students will need to be able to demonstrate competency in the English language and students who do not already possess a recognised English Language qualification will need to take a test such as IELTS or TOEFL and attain a minimum of IELTS 6.5 (with no sub test < 5.5), TOEFL 570 with 5.0 in the TWE (Test of Written English) or CBTOEFL 230 with 5.0 in the TWE.