Four reasons to study Materials Technology

1. Meaningful consequences

Students of Materials Technology are of true value to society. In an era when the planet is facing some of its greatest ever environmental challenges, and civilisation is developing like never before, material technologists play a huge role in sustaining our way of life.

For example, developing a new material to help build aircraft to makes them lighter and more fuel-efficient. Or a material that could provide an effective solution to storing nuclear waste. Or better batteries, to store electricity from renewable sources. The human race has countless problems, and Materials Technology can help to solve many of them.

2. Theoretical and practical learning

Prospective Materials Technology students can look forward to a healthy balance between learning about the theory behind how materials behave, and taking part in practical exercises that test these theories for real. You’ll have lots of opportunities to put what you’ve learned in the classroom into practice in the lab. 

3. Keep your options open

Unlike many other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects, a degree in Materials Technology doesn't tie you down to a career in a specific field. Graduates have gone on to pursue professions as varied as mining, biomedicine and aerospace. This is a subject area that offers plenty of options.

4. Transferable skills

If you choose a career path that’s not directly related to Materials Technology, the degree will give you a wide range of transferable skills that will impress potential employers in many different fields. Among the numerous desirable qualities that you'll be able to list on your CV are problem-solving, communication, commercial awareness and a high level of competence with IT.