Advanced Materials

The discovery, development and application of advanced materials is at the heart of engineering innovation. Informed by our close research collaborations with industry we are developing the next generation of talented materials scientists and engineers. With a fundamental interest in materials science this course will develop your understanding of materials’ properties, selection, processing and advanced design procedures.

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for graduates with science, applied science, engineering or related degrees keen to pursue careers in the development or exploitation of materials; graduates currently working in industry keen to extend their qualifications; or individuals with other qualifications who possess considerable relevant experience.

Why this course?

Cranfield University has an enviable track record in the development and application of advanced materials and their associated processing and manufacturing technologies. This spans from our surface engineering coatings used to increase the operating temperature of gas turbine engines to the development of composite materials structures for application in some of the world’s most exotic super cars.

This course equips students with the knowledge and skills to solve a wide range of engineering challenges.

Our research and commercial work with industry shape our taught programmes where our academic teams are leading in their fields.

We have centres in enhanced composites and structures, surface engineering and precision and welding engineering. Our research and teaching teams are passionate in sharing their knowledge and experience in materials. 

The group and individual projects are often sponsored by industry giving you highly relevant context to your studies and practical work. With access to many of our unique laboratories and facilities,  working alongside our leading research teams Cranfield is the perfect environment to launch your career.

Informed by Industry

Our courses are designed to meet the training needs of industry and have a strong input from experts in their sector. Our advisory panel has members from well-known companies as Bentley, NCC, Micro Materials, Rolls-Royce. Students who have excelled have their performances recognised through course awards. The awards are provided by high profile organisations and individuals, and are often sponsored by our industrial partners. Awards are presented on Graduation Day.

The course comprises eight assessed modules, a group project and an individual research project.

The modules include lectures and tutorials, and are assessed through practical work, written examinations, case studies, essays, presentations and tests. These provide the 'tools' required for the group and individual projects.

Group project

The group project experience is highly valued by both students and prospective employers where teams of students develop both technical and team working skills to solve an industrial problem. Part-time students can prepare a dissertation on an agreed topic in place of the group project.

Industrially orientated, our team projects have support from external organisations. As a result of external engagement, Cranfield students enjoy a high degree of success when it comes to securing employment.

Example group projects include:

1. Self-lubricating coatings for novel power dense rotary engine: sponsored by Enigma England the group project looked to provide an innovative materials solution to allow a dry lubrication system for their rotary engine. Self-lubricating coating were investigated, characterisation tests completed to determine tribological properties alongside the simulation of the mechanical environment in the engine. Microscopy and SEM imaging were also used by the students to observe the material surfaces. The project concluded with a recommendation for the rotor (hard anodised aluminium 2024 coated with PTFE ) and the chamber (AMC4632) of the engine.
2. Solar desalination – Off-grid water treatment technology: this innovative British Council sponsored project looks to help provide an innovative solution to a lack of clean water supplies in the hottest regions on Earth. The student team developed a low cost desalination system that’s easy to maintain and can be disassembled for transportation. The materials innovation incorporated Fresnel lenses into the desalination system.

Individual project

Students select the individual project in consultation with the Course Director. The individual project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research, think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge and overcome genuine problems.

Example individual projects include:

• Material selection of a polymer for high-temperature automotive connectors
• Investigation of plasma cleaning process for wire+arc additive manufacturing

Assessment

Taught modules 40%, Group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), Individual project 40%

University Disclaimer

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory modules and (where applicable) some elective modules affiliated with this programme which ran in the academic year 2018–2019. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2019 entry. All modules are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to Materials Engineering
• Failure of Materials and Structures
• Finite Element Analysis
• General Management
• Materials Selection
• Surface Science and Engineering
• Composites Manufacturing for High Performance Structures
• Design Durability and Integrity of Composite Aircraft Structures
• Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing Technologies

Candidates must possess, or be expected to achieve, a first or second class UK Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant science, engineering or related discipline. Other relevant qualifications, together with significant experience, may be considered. 

Applicants who do not fulfil the standard entry requirements can apply for the Pre-Masters programme, successful completion of which will qualify them for entry to this course for a second year of study.

English Language

If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. Our minimum requirements are as follows:

• IELTS Academic – 6.5 overall
• TOEFL – 92
• Pearson PTE Academic – 65
• Cambridge English Scale – 180
• Cambridge English: Advanced - C
• Cambridge English: Proficiency – C

In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.

We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date).

Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test.

Applicants who do not already meet the English language entry requirement for their chosen Cranfield course can apply to attend one of our Presessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. We offer Winter/Spring and Summer programmes each year to offer holders.