Cookie policy

By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to allow us to collect information on and off Studee as outlined in our cookie policy.

Home

    Study materials engineering abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying materials engineering as an international student.

    Find materials engineering programs

    Explore materials engineering programs abroad

    See other programs in materials engineering

    Materials engineering degrees abroad

    Material engineers apply their knowledge of material properties to engineering designs and projects.

    As a materials engineering student, you’ll develop a thorough understanding of the structure and behaviors of different materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and biomaterials. You’ll explore how materials perform in different environmental conditions, and consider how they could be used to develop problem-solving technologies and products.

    The engineering industry is a global one, and the expertise of materials engineers are highly-prized across the world. By studying abroad, you’ll gain an international perspective that’ll help you kickstart a career anywhere you choose.

    Materials engineering program structure

    Bachelor’s degrees require at least three years of full-time study, but completing an industrial placement as part of your BEng will increase your total program length to four years. Placements allow you to put your skills into practice and network with experts in the field.

    Universities in the US follow the liberal arts model, so you’ll take general education classes alongside your materials engineering major. Undergraduate programs in the US take four years to finish.

    Students wishing to work in research, development, or education can gain specialist knowledge through a postgraduate degree. A master’s program generally takes one or two years to complete, while a PhD adds a further five or so years to your studies.

    Teaching is mainly delivered through lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and computer labs. Assessment methods vary between modules, but research projects, exams, presentations, written assignments, and computer-based tests are common.

    Every university’s program content will be slightly different depending on the elective modules offered. However, most institutions cover these core areas:

    • Fundamentals of materials science
    • Design for structural applications
    • Design for functional applications
    • Modeling materials behavior
    • Physics of materials
    • Microstructures of materials
    • Mechanics of materials
    • Structure of solids
    Materials engineering program structure

    Bachelor’s degrees require at least three years of full-time study, but completing an industrial placement as part of your BEng will increase your total program length to four years. Placements allow you to put your skills into practice and network with experts in the field.

    Universities in the US follow the liberal arts model, so you’ll take general education classes alongside your materials engineering major. Undergraduate programs in the US take four years to finish.

    Students wishing to work in research, development, or education can gain specialist knowledge through a postgraduate degree. A master’s program generally takes one or two years to complete, while a PhD adds a further five or so years to your studies.

    Teaching is mainly delivered through lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and computer labs. Assessment methods vary between modules, but research projects, exams, presentations, written assignments, and computer-based tests are common.

    Every university’s program content will be slightly different depending on the elective modules offered. However, most institutions cover these core areas:

    • Fundamentals of materials science
    • Design for structural applications
    • Design for functional applications
    • Modeling materials behavior
    • Physics of materials
    • Microstructures of materials
    • Mechanics of materials
    • Structure of solids

    Best countries to study materials engineering

    Best universities to study materials engineering

    See all universities offering materials engineering programs

    How to study materials engineering abroad

    1. University & program search

      Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

    2. Application guidance

      We'll get you to the right place to start your application

    3. Visa & travel advice

      Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
    Our services are 100% free for students like you because we're funded by universities.

    Start your search Get free advice

    Materials engineering study abroad programs

    Materials engineering undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in materials engineering

    • false

      Biomedical Materials Science - BSc University of Birmingham, UK

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      30,618 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 22,260 GBP

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Biomedical Materials Science
    • false

      Chemical Engineering, Engineering Materials major - BSc Florida A&M University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      17,940 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 17,940 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Chemical Engineering, Engineering Materials major
    • false

      Chemistry: Polymer and Materials Science - BSc/BA Murray State University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,920 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 13,920 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Chemistry: Polymer and Materials Science
    • false

      Electrical Engineering: Materials and Devices - BSc University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      27,000 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 27,000 USD

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Electrical Engineering: Materials and Devices
    • false

      Engineering Technology: Materials Joining - BSc LeTourneau University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      32,630 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 32,630 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Engineering Technology: Materials Joining
    See all bachelor's degrees in materials engineering

    Associate in materials engineering

    • false

      Forest Renewable Materials/Science and Engineering - ASc Southwestern Oregon Community College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      10,791 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 10,791 USD

      Start date
      September, June, March, January
      Show program overview about Forest Renewable Materials/Science and Engineering
    • false

      Materials Science Engineering - AES Moraine Valley Community College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      9,408 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 9,408 USD

      Start date
      January, August, June
      Show program overview about Materials Science Engineering
    See all associate degrees in materials engineering

    Diploma in materials engineering

    • false

      Materials Engineering Technology - UGDip Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      15,537 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 19,512 CAD

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Materials Engineering Technology
    See all undergraduate diplomas in materials engineering

    Materials engineering graduate programs

    Master's in materials engineering

    • false

      Biomedical Device Materials - MSc University of Limerick, Ireland

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      17,117 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 14,321 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Biomedical Device Materials
    • false

      Advanced Materials - MSc Cranfield University, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      28,197 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 20,500 GBP

      Start date
      October
      Show program overview about Advanced Materials
    • false

      Chemical and Materials Engineering - MSc Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      4,602 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 3,850 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Chemical and Materials Engineering
    • false

      Chemistry of Sustainable Processes and Materials - MSc University of Oulu, Finland

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      11,952 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 10,000 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Chemistry of Sustainable Processes and Materials
    • false

      Computer Engineering: Thermal, Fluids and Materials - MSc California State University, Long Beach, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,604 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 14,604 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Computer Engineering: Thermal, Fluids and Materials
    See all master's degrees in materials engineering

    Doctorate in materials engineering

    • false

      Chemistry and Materials Science - PhD Lakehead University, Canada

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      17,841 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 22,406 CAD

      Start date
      January, September, May
      Show program overview about Chemistry and Materials Science
    • false

      Materials Science and Engineering - PhD Florida A&M University, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      24,669 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 24,669 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Materials Science and Engineering
    • false

      Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization - PhD Texas State University, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      15,034 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,034 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization
    • false

      Science of Advanced Materials - PhD Central Michigan University, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,920 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 16,920 USD

      Start date
      August, May
      Show program overview about Science of Advanced Materials
    See all doctorates in materials engineering

    Future materials engineering careers

    As a materials engineering student, you’ll graduate with the tools needed to shape a forward-thinking and exciting career.

    Your technical and professional skills can be transferred across several sectors, including manufacturing, research and development, education, and technology. Here are some of the job prospects available to you:

    • Materials engineer
    • Product/process development scientist
    • Manufacturing systems engineer
    • Materials tester
    • Aerospace engineer
    • CAD technician
    • Design engineer
    • Metallurgist

    Adding practical, real-world experience to your CV is sure to grab the attention of recruiters. The majority of universities have a careers office where staff can help you find and apply for relevant placement opportunities.