The Department of Materials at Oxford
The objectives of the Department of Materials at Oxford University are to produce world class graduate materials scientists and engineers, and to conduct world class research into the manufacture, structure, properties and applications of materials, for the benefit of the UK and world community.
The Department of Materials at Oxford is regularly graded one of the best materials departments in the UK, rated top in The Guardian league tables 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (published in 2013 - 2021).
In the UK Government's most recent assessment of research excellence in UK universities, the 2021 REF, research from Oxford's Department of Materials and its Department of Engineering Science was jointly submitted to REF Unit of Assessment (UOA) 12 - Engineering^. For this submission 71% of the research activity of the two departments was judged to be in the highest, Grade 4* ('World-leading'), category of excellence and a further 26% as Grade 3* ('Internationally Excellent'). 90% of research impact was judged to be 'World-leading'. [^There is not a specific REF UOA for Materials.]
Oxford's M.Eng undergraduate degree in Materials Science
Read about Oxford's undergraduate degree in Materials Science, a four-year 'Integrated Masters' M.Eng programme, in our Course Brochure 'Studying Materials Science at Oxford University' (please note: a new edition of this brochure is in preparation) and in the Materials Science entry within the on-line University of Oxford Undergraduate Prospectus .
Printed copies of the brochure 'Studying Materials Science at Oxford University' can be obtained from undergraduate.admissions@materials.ox.ac.uk
What is Materials Science?
Materials Science is an interdisciplinary subject, spanning the physics and chemistry of matter, engineering applications and industrial manufacturing processes. Modern society is heavily dependent on advanced materials, for example, lightweight composites for more efficient vehicles, optical fibres for telecommunications and silicon microchips for the continuing revolution in digital technology. Materials scientists study the relationships between the structure and properties of a material and how it is made. They also develop new materials and devise advanced processes for manufacturing them. Materials Science is vital for developments in nanotechnology, quantum computing, energy storage and nuclear energy, as well as medical technologies such as bone replacement materials and drug delivery.
To find out more about Materials Science please explore further our Schools Outreach webpages and visit the rest of the Department of Materials website.
If you want to know more about Materials Science at Oxford why not join one of our Virtual Open Days and/or have a look at the videos and other content available via our Virtual Outreach webpage.
Here is a photograph of our new intake of Materials undergraduates at Induction in 2019:
Finally have a look at the reports on recent Oxford Materials Annual Industrial Tours to exciting destinations worldwide.
An Outline of the Programme Content, Assessment and Key Progression Criteria for the M.Eng in Materials Science
(This outline is for illustrative purposes and details may change from time to time. Years 3 and 4 of the programme are currently under review)
THE OXFORD M.ENG DEGREE PROGRAMME IN MATERIALS SCIENCE FOR ENTRANTS UP TO AND INCLUDING OCTOBER 2024 IS ACCREDITED BY THE INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS, MINERALS AND MINING (IOM3), ON BEHALF OF THE UK ENGINEERING COUNCIL, TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CHARTERED ENGINEER STATUS.
