MSc by Research in Materials

About the course

The Oxford MSc by Research in Materials is a master's level research degree programme, typically of two years duration. 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 30 academic staff, 16 Senior Research Fellows, and around 230 research students and 87 postdoctoral researchers. Research students are of many nationalities and come to the department from diverse scientific backgrounds. They are graduates in the traditional subjects of materials science, physics, chemistry and engineering and also mathematics, earth sciences and biology.

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.

Only a very small number of places are offered on the MSc by Research in Materials programme each year as the majority of the department's 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.

Assessment

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.

The MSc by Research in Materials is examined at the end of the programme by means of a written thesis and an oral examination

Graduate destinations

Graduates of the DPhil and MSc by Research in Materials are highly regarded by a wide range of employers, including universities, high-tech start-up companies, engineering consultancies, industry (including aerospace, electronics, automotive, steel manufacture, medical and household products sectors), world-famous technology companies schools and colleges, and the financial and business sectors.

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of the following UK qualifications or their equivalent: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a suitable science subject. The qualification above should normally be achieved in one of the following subject areas: materials science; chemistry; physics and mathematics. However, other subjects may be acceptable 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 from a Double First Class University 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 3.5 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 from a Double First Class University is normally regarded as equivalent.