Materials Science and Engineering with an Industrial Placement Year BEng (Hons)
University of Sheffield
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.4) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) - BEng (Hon)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Sandwich

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) - BEng (Hon)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Sandwich

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Materials Technology
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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T Level
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Course info

In our core undergraduate degree, youll discover the underlying principles of materials science, and how these are applied across materials engineering situations. You can keep your course general or tailor your degree in later years with optional materials modules.**Discover the principles of materials science and engineering, and how these are applied across the whole field of engineering. Put your learning into practice with the opportunity to work in industry for a year.**For the first two ...Read more

In our core undergraduate degree, you'll discover the underlying principles of materials science, and how these are applied across materials engineering situations. You can keep your course general or tailor your degree in later years with optional materials modules.


Discover the principles of materials science and engineering, and how these are applied across the whole field of engineering. Put your learning into practice with the opportunity to work in industry for a year.

For the first two years of your Materials Science and Engineering BEng at Sheffield, you'll focus on developing your fundamental understanding of the field in both theory and in the hands-on practical way expected of materials engineers. Group projects will see you take on complex real-world problems – applying your engineering knowledge while developing the transferable skills like communication, team working and project management sought after by employers.From courses on materials properties to materials sustainability, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to meet the challenges of the 21st century – and to provide real and lasting solutions. Between your penultimate and final year you'll undertake an industrial placement year - applying your knowledge to the workplace. Gaining valuable work experience will give you an advantage when looking for graduate jobs.In your final year you'll have the opportunity to choose the specialist modules that interest you, from metallurgy to functional materials, composites, biomaterials, nuclear materials and everything in between. Other core modules will also give you detailed industrial knowledge like computational modelling techniques, quality management and understanding financial and legal risks.As part of the course, you’ll also complete an independent research project. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase your technical lab skills and consolidate your learning by driving the field in new directions.


Why study this course?

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Industrial placement year

- you have the option to either study abroad for a year or spend a year working in industry, gaining real-world experience and connections. Links with partners such as Siemens Gamesa and Rolls-Royce make Sheffield the right choice if you want to do a placement year – and mean we have world-famous companies joining us on campus for employability fairs and networking sessions.-


Artefacts project

- bridging theory and practice, this project empowers you to explore the use of different materials in commercial products, in an open-ended group project.-


Links with industry

- our Industrial Advisory Board provides a link between your studies and the professional world, ensuring we teach you the skills in demand from industry.-


Practical training

- you’ll be using industry standard equipment – making, testing and characterising different materials in our bespoke labs.-


Specialist teaching facilities

- 'Learning by doing' is the reason The Diamond was built. Dedicated to engineering, you’ll apply the theory you learn in lectures and during lab classes – consolidating your understanding alongside students from other disciplines, and beyond the bounds of the curriculum.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
1/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
5th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
18th
Materials Technology
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 97 = 3% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
3%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Materials Technology graduate salary at this uni
£24,000
UK Materials Technology graduate salary
£25,000
What students say
T
Tia
23 Feb 24

- The best student union - Lots of great facilities - The town is big enough to feel like a city but small enough to not feel overwhelmed and..Read more

Z
ZERUI
01 Nov 23

Everything..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

AB Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:36,M:9 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H2,H2,H2,H2,H2,H3 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DD Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDD Grades / Points required

T Level:

D Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

B Grades / Points required

including two of Maths, Physics or Chemistry

in two of Maths, Physics or Chemistry + AABBB at Scottish Highers

Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject (to include units in two of Maths, Physics or Chemistry), with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit

with 6, 5 in two of Higher Level Maths, Physics or Chemistry

including two of Maths, Physics or Chemistry

in Engineering or Applied Science + A in A Level Maths

in Engineering, Applied Science or Blacksmithing and Metalworking + A in A Level Maths

Distinction in either the Maintenance, Installation & Repair for Engineering & Manufacturing or Design & Development for Engineering & Manufacturing T Level, including grade A in the core component + A in A Level Maths

+ AA in two of Maths, Physics or Chemistry at A Level

Popular A-level subjects

Materials Technology

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Mathematics
90%
Physics
83%
Chemistry
78%
Biology
19%
Further Mathematics
8%
HESA

Latest reviews

Latest Materials Science reviews

Materials Science
Materials Science
Materials Engineering & Technology
T
Tia
23 Feb 24
Materials Science and Engineering BEng (Hons)
- The best student union - Lots of great facilities - The town is big enough to feel like a city but small enough to not feel overwhelmed and...
Read more
Z
ZERUI
01 Nov 23
Polymer Chemistry MSc
Everything...
Read more
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How Materials Science students rated:

Student rating
( 4.7) 6 reviews
5 star
67%
4 stars
33%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 1,702 reviews
5 star
55%
4 stars
38%
3 stars
6%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield , Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a prestigious research university in South Yorkshire, known for its excellence in education, research,...

Student rating
( 4.4) View reviews
CUG ranking
18th

Whatuni Student Choice Awards

Winner: Student life

WUSCA award for Students' Union

Whatuni Student Choice Awards

Winner: Overall Rating

WUSCA award for Students' Union

Whatuni Student Choice Awards

Winner: Students' Union

WUSCA award for Students' Union
University of Sheffield
Western Bank Sheffield S10 2TN United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Sheffield  0.7 miles away
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