Gain an understanding of materials engineering across numerous sectors and progress as a materials science technologist

About the apprenticeship

Course length: typically 4 years, part-time

Start date: September

Course level: Level 6

University award: BEng (Honours) Materials Technology

How much it costs: funded through the employer

Course summary

• Strengthen your understanding of materials engineering principles
• Learn from world-class researchers and experts in the field
• Develop and test innovative new materials
• Use industry standard technology in our engineering labs

On this BEng (Honours) Materials Technology course, you’ll learn everything you need to know about materials used in industry. You’ll design and develop your own products, testing them in our state of the art labs.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills you need to produce materials for purposes such as body armour, engines, battery design and dental work.

This course meets the materials science technologist apprenticeship standard.

How you learn

This course is designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. 

The programme is delivered part-time and combines work-based learning with academic study, meaning apprentices can apply their knowledge directly to the workplace, with their impact growing in value as they progress.

You learn through:

• Lectures and tutorials
• Experimental labs
• Class-room discussions
• Projects
• Team-working activities
• Work-based learning

You will progress through the course following successful achievement of assessments, which address the learning outcomes for each module and allow you to complete the course. 

Campus facilities

You'll study at our City Campus, with access to cutting edge facilities including modern laboratories and specialised equipment.  

Facilities include:  

• Fully-equipped materials laboratories  
• Access to a multi-million-pound dedicated research institute  
• Dedicated research spaces for independent and group projects  
• Well-stocked libraries and online resources for extensive scientific literature  

You will work within dedicated laboratories for  

• Mechanical properties of materials and structures  
• Non-destructive testing 
• Injection moulding 
• Composites manufacturing 
• Casting 
• Welding 
• CNC machining

Entry requirements

Throughout the course, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours at university. They can be existing employees looking to develop their careers, or new applicants to the business.

Applicants must:

• be over 18
• not be in full time education
• have the right to abode in the UK
• meet the course entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent)

GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics and English language at grade C or grade 4, or above.

If you don't have this yet, you'll need to achieve this level before you take your end-point assessment.

UCAS points and college grades

112 UCAS points, including at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC national qualifications or T levels. This should include mathematics or a mathematics-based subject to at least AS level.

For example:

• BBC at A Level including mathematics or a mathematics-based subject, plus at least one other from physics, physical science, engineering science, computer science, technology, chemistry or another science or technology subject. 

• DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma in a science or technology-based subject (including passes in mathematics and two other science or technology-based modules).
• Merit overall from a T level qualification - this must include a B in Core and can be from any engineering specific T level.
• Access to HE Diploma with at least 15 Level 3 credits at merit grade or above, in a Maths or Engineering programme including mathematics

Or:

• A combination of qualifications which must include mathematics or a mathematics-based subject and may include L3 Apprenticeship, AS levels, EPQ and general studies.

Additional qualifications

We may also consider applicants with relevant work experience. 

Modules

Year one

• Materials Science and Mathematics
• Materials Manufacturing and Characterisation
• Solid Mechanics and Mathematics
• Project and Ethical Engineering

Year two

• Chemical and Physical Metallurgy
• Engineering Ceramics and Polymers
• Developing an Engineering Portfolio
• Project and Business Management

Year three

• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
• Fracture, Degradation and Evaluation
• Management Systems
• Dissertation Project and Portfolio

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change.