Available both full and part-time the MSc Advanced Materials will provide graduate scientists and engineers with a fundamental understanding of materials' properties and their processing. Students will gain the necessary skills to apply their knowledge to a wide range of careers in industry. The course also aims to develop personal skills in problem solving, research methods, teamwork and management techniques. The modular format of the taught element permits a high degree of flexibility of attendance at Cranfield for part-time students who may commence the course at any time during the year.

The course comprises three elements:
Taught Modules

Eight one-week assessed modules which include lectures and tutorials, and are assessed through written examinations and assignments. These provide the 'tools' required for the group and individual projects.
Group Project

The group project is an applied multidisciplinary team based activity. It provides students with the opportunity, whilst working in teams under academic supervision, to take responsibility for project tasks. Success is dependent on the integration of various activities, working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets. Many projects are industrially orientated with support from industry and other external organisations. Part-time students prepare a dissertation on an agreed topic in place of the group project.
Individual Project

The individual research project is either industrially or Cranfield University driven. Students select the individual project in consultation with their Course Director. It provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate independent research ability, working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets.

By choice of individual project, students can specialise in a number of areas, including advanced materials, aerospace materials, automotive materials, composites, materials processing, materials characterisation and analysis, materials recycling and sustainability, motorsport, nanotechnology and nanoscale engineering, polymer engineering, and surface science and engineering.
The Modules

· Composites Performance

· Engineering Polymers and Polymers for Composites

· Failure of Materials and Structures

· Finite Element Analysis & Materials Modelling

· General Management

· Materials Selection

· Properties and Processing of Metals

· Surface Science and Engineering

Modules are also available as short courses independent of MSc registration.
Assessment

· Taught modules 40%

· Group project 20%

· Individual project 40%

For part-time students a dissertation replaces the group project.
Entry Requirements

Candidates must possess, or be expected to achieve, a 1st or 2nd class UK honours degree or equivalent in a numerate, scientific or engineering discipline. Other relevant qualifications together with considerable industrial experience may be considered.
Start Date and Duration

The full-time MSc Advanced Materials commences each October and is of 12 months’ duration. The course is also available on a part-time basis for persons working in industry. Part-time students are expected to complete the programme within three years.
Funding

Funding opportunities exist, such as industrial sponsorship and School bursaries. For the majority of part-time students sponsorship is organised by their employers. For information on funding opportunities please visit: www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/funding Please note that a formal offer of a place on this course must first have been received before consideration can be given for funding.
How to Apply

Application forms are available at: www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/application
Specialist Equipment

A wide range of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities support advanced research programmes in industry in areas including aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronics, materials processing, micro-engineering, motorsport, nanotechnology, precision engineering and sensors.