Textile Science & Technology: The University of Manchester

Course description

The continuing evolution of the textile industry provides exciting opportunities embracing both the high-performance technical textiles sector and the traditional apparel market. The multi-disciplinary nature of textiles requires expertise in engineering, chemistry, physics and electronics, which, together with associated innovation, leads to cutting-edge products such as clothes which react to climate changes, clothing with mobile communication systems built in and medical textiles including artificial ligaments and heart valves.

This is a unique course in combining traditional science and technology aspects of textiles with exciting and innovative applications in smart textiles, sportswear, aerospace and automotive materials and biomedical implants.

Utilising their technical expertise and broad equipment base the Textile Science and Technology programme aims to develop graduates with the skills to create and implement the next generation of textile innovations for a global market.

Course content

The first year provides a fundamental understanding of fibre, yarn and fabric manufacture, the nature of materials, mathematics, physics, chemistry and computation through an integrated series of lectures, seminars and laboratory projects.

This important foundation provides the platform for exploring areas such as colour, production technology and electronics in subsequent years.

In the final year a research project allows the study of a topic in some depth and provides an ideal opportunity to develop your analytical and personal skills.  Recent projects have covered such diverse areas as medical textiles, ink-jet printing and ethical production management.

Career opportunities

The programme prepares students for a variety of career pathways with graduates entering the research and manufacturing sectors of the textile, chemical engineering and clothing industries. Companies that have recently employed our graduates include such global companies as Ciba Geigy, Coats Viyella, DERA and Marks and Spencer.

Entry requirements

• English language:
  • Grade C or above in GCSE English language.
  • Grade C or above in Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency.
  • IELTS average score of 6 with not less than 5.5 in any one component.
  • Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL) minimum score of 550 (paper based); 213 (computer based), 80 (internet based).
• A level: Grades ABC, to include one science subject and Maths, or two science subjects.
• Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.
• GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language, Dual Science and Mathematics.
• Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification.
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall, with three subjects at Higher Level, to include any two from Maths, Physics, Biology or Chemistry.