Materials

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1 place StudyQA ranking:2297 Duration:2 years

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The Oxford MSc by Research in Materials is a master's level research degree programme, typically of two years duration, carried out under the supervision of an experienced member of staff. Research projects in this leading department are available in most branches of materials science, as well as some aspects of solid state physics and chemistry.

As a student on the Oxford MSc by Research in Materials you will be part of one of the top-ranked materials departments in the world. This vibrant research school consists of around 28 academic staff, 13 Senior Research Fellows, and around 180 research students and 86 postdoctoral researchers. Research students are of many nationalities and come to the department from diverse backgrounds; being graduates in the traditional subjects of materials science, physics, chemistry and engineering and also mathematics, earth sciences and biology.

Only a small number of places are offered on the MSc by Research in Materials each year as the majority of our research students are enrolled on the doctoral programme, the DPhil in Materials. The MSc students work, train and study alongside the DPhil students, together forming a cohort of research students in materials.

The MSc by Research in Materials is normally carried out in two years of full-time study under the supervision of an experienced member of staff. It is examined at the end of the programme by means of a written thesis and an oral examination. A wide range of exciting projects is available. In common with other UK universities the first year is a probationary year, soon after which, subject to satisfactory progress, students normally transfer to full MSc by Research status. Details of research degree programmes, including training opportunities (academic courses, research-specific skills and generic transferable career skills) and progression requirements, can be found in the current version of the graduate course handbook.

Research interests of the department extend over most branches of materials science, as well as some aspects of solid state physics and chemistry: they include the study of a wide range of materials of relevance in advanced technological applications, including metals and alloys, composites, semi- and super-conductors, polymers, biomaterials, ceramics and materials for quantum information processing.

Much of the research is carried out in close collaboration with industry. World-leading research takes place on:  

  • characterisation of materials, where there is emphasis on electron microscopy and related techniques
  • processing and manufacturing of materials
  • modelling of materials, where there is attention to both structures and processes
  • properties of materials
  • energy materials, including those for batteries, nuclear fusion and photovoltaics
  • quantum information processing, which includes groups working on experimental studies, theory and modelling.

Each of the department's research groups works within one or more of the following broad themes and research projects available to applicants for the MSc by Research in Materials are listed under these themes:

  • energy materials
  • structural and nuclear materials
  • ceramics and composites
  • applied superconductivity
  • device materials (including semiconductors and NEMS)
  • polymers and biomaterials
  • nanomaterials
  • processing and manufacturing
  • characterisation of materials
  • computational materials modelling
  • quantum information processing (experimental studies, theory, and modelling).

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in a suitable science subject; normally this subject would be one of materials science, chemistry, physics or mathematics, but could include other subjects depending on the area of research chosen.

For candidates offering a UK bachelor's degree or UK integrated undergraduate master's degree, normally an overall grade of at least 60% is required. As examples of international equivalents to this requirement: for the US system a GPA of 3.3 to 3.4 out of 4.0 on a four-year bachelor's programme is normally regarded as equivalent and for the Chinese system an overall degree mark of 82% on a four-year bachelor's degree programme is normally regarded as equivalent.

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants for the department's research degrees have at least an overall mark of 65% in a UK bachelor's degree with Honours, or equivalent. International equivalents to this requirement: for the US system a GPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 on a four-year Bachelor's programme is normally regarded as equivalent and for the Chinese system an overall degree mark of 85% on a four-year bachelor's degree programme is normally regarded as equivalent.

Normally the required qualification(s) must be achieved by the date of commencement of the research programme for which you have applied.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

  • Official transcript(s)
  • CV/résumé
  • Statement of purpose/personal statement: 400 words, accompanied by a list of preferred projects and supervisors
  • References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Standard level

est

Standard level scores

Higher level scores

IELTS Academic 
Institution code: 0713

7.0 Minimum 6.5 per component  7.5  Minimum 7.0 per component 

TOEFL iBT 
Institution code: 0490

100

Minimum component scores:

  • Listening: 22
  • Reading: 24
  • Speaking: 25
  • Writing: 24
110

Minimum component scores:

  • Listening: 22
  • Reading: 24
  • Speaking: 25
  • Writing: 24
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) 185

Minimum 176 per component

191 

Minimum 185 per component

Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) 185

Minimum 176 per component

191 

Minimum 185 per component

  • Global Education
  • Hill Foundation Scholarships
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