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Department of Materials

University of Oxford

  2. Admissions
  3. Undergraduate Admissions

Undergraduate Admissions

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 and 2019 (published in 2013 - 2018). 

In the UK Government's most recent assessment of research excellence in UK universities, the 2014 REF, Oxford Materials was one of the top-rated materials departments in the country. 98% of our activity was judged to be in the highest categories of excellence [ Grades 4* & 3*; respectively 'world-leading' (60%) and 'internationally excellent' (38%)]. 90% of our 'impact' was judged to be 'world leading'.

OM Brochure 4

Course Brochure

Find out more by reading our course brochure 'Studying Materials Science at Oxford University' which contains all the information we think you will need.

Printed copies of the brochure 'Studying Materials Science at Oxford University' can be obtained from undergraduate.admissions@ox.ac.uk or undergraduate.admissions@materials.ox.ac.uk

If you want to know more about Materials contact us and come to one of our open days!

Finally have a look at the report on this year's annual industrial tour to exciting destinations worldwide!

 

 

 

An Outline of the Programme Content, Assessment and Key Progression Criteria for the M.Eng in Materials Science

(Please note that this outline is for illustrative purposes and that details may change from time to time. Years 1-3 of the programme are currently under review)

THE OXFORD M.ENG DEGREE PROGRAMME IN MATERIALS SCIENCE FOR ENTRANTS IN OCTOBER 2019 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.

1st year (‘Prelims’)

Courses

Directly examined

  • Structure of materials
  • Properties of materials
  • Transforming materials
  • Mathematics for materials

Continual assessment

  • Practical work
  • Crystallography classes
  • Computing in Materials Science

Additional elements

  • Engineering drawing and CAD classes
  • IT skills
  • Industrial visits (optional)
  • Career planning
  • Foreign language (optional)
  • Introduction to errors in measurement

Assessment

First University examination (‘Prelims’): Four written papers; continual assessment components equivalent to a fifth paper. Resit for written papers available in September.

Progression

Normally, students are required to achieve an overall mark of at least 40% in the first year examination in order to progress to Year 2.

(The ‘prelims’ mark does not contribute to the final degree classification upon graduation.)

2nd year & 3rd Year (‘Part I Final Honours School’)

2nd year

Courses

Directly examined

  • Structure and transformation of materials
  • Electronic properties of materials
  • Mechanical properties
  • Engineering applications of materials
  • Foreign language (optional)
  • Supplementary subject (optional)

Continual assessment

  • Practical work
  • Industrial visits
  • Entrepreneurship course

Additional elements

  • Mathematics
  • Industrial talks
  • Communication skills

3rd year

Courses

Directly examined

  • Options courses in Materials. For further information about the options courses we offer at present please see our Lecture Course Synopses.

Continual assessment

  • Team design project, assessed by written report and oral presentation
  • Characterisation of Materials or Materials Modelling module, assessed by written report
  • Industrial visits

(At the start of Year 3 it is possible to transfer to a 3-year BA degree in Materials Science, graduating at the end of Year 3. A student opting to do this takes a smaller set of materials option lecture courses and carries out a literature-based research module. This option is intended for the occasional student who may change their mind about their career path while following our M.Eng programme. The BA degree is not accredited by the IOM3 / UK Engineering Council.)

Assessment

Final University examination, Part I: Six written papers; continual assessment components equivalent to a further two papers. Resit available one year later.

Progression

Normally, students are required to achieve an overall mark of at least 50% in the Part I assessment in order to progress to Part II)

4th year (extended terms) (‘Part II Final Honours School’)

Courses

Research project (full-time).  See examples of previous projects.

Additional elements

  • Presentation skills
  • Project management skills
  • Industrial visits
  • Careers events
  • Information skills & Reference Management
  • Writing skills and IPR
  • Foreign language option
  • Technology transfer (to be confirmed)
  • Ethics & Sustainability
  • Workshop skills
  • MatLab and LabVIEW

Assessment

Final University examination, Part II (equivalent to 4 papers): Part II dissertation submitted and assessed; Oral examination of project dissertation. No Resit.

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