Composite Materials Pathway

Advanced Aerospace Materials Engineering MSc by Research

www.manchester.ac.uk/materials/postgraduate
The Advanced Aerospace Materials Engineering MSc by • Options for full-time,
Research degree is an industrially relevant programme, part-time and online
developed at a time of great change within the aerospace distance-learning study
industry. The move from aluminium airframes to carbon
fibre reinforced polymers, the continuous drive to improve • Full and part-tuition
aeroengine efficiency, drive down cost and the movement fee scholarships
of the supply chain up the skills ladder are all driving available
dramatic change. This is creating demand for new skills
which this programme uniquely addresses. • Excellent career
prospects in the
Northwest Composites Centre aerospace sector or in
Research degrees in Composite Materials are based within academia
the vibrant Northwest Composites Centre (NWCC), a
collaboration which incorporates researchers from several • Opportunity to
schools in The University of Manchester, together with complete research
colleagues from the University of Liverpool, University of projects at collaborating
Bolton and Lancaster University. universities or in industry

The research at the NWCC encompasses all aspects of • Range of individual

composites, including their design, processing, forming, CPD units available
joining and performance.
 Composite Materials Pathway
Advanced Aerospace Materials Engineering MSc by Research
Duration and study options
The degree can be taken in a standard 12-
month full-time structure up to 60 months
part-time or by distance-learning structure.
Scholarships
There are School scholarships available for
this research degree. UK/EU students can be
awarded up to 100% of their tuition fee, and
Overseas students can be awarded a part-
tuition fee scholarship.
Entry requirements
You will need to be a science and
engineering graduate with at least a 2.2 UK
Honours degree or equivalent.
Career prospects
As a graduate of this degree, you will be
qualified for key positions as a materials
scientist, engineer, manager or consultant
within the aerospace sector. The degree is
also a launch-pad into an accelerated PhD in
UK academia or at one of our international
partner institutions.
Northwest Composites Centre
Current active research covers interfacial
phenomena in composite materials, natural
composites, textile composites, rapid
composites manufacture and non destructive
damage characterisation and evaluation. The
deformation mechanics of a range of high
performance synthetic reinforcement fibres for
composites are explored, as are those of
natural and regenerated cellulose fibres. In
the latter case the main emphasis is on
understanding the relationships between the
microstructure and molecular structure of
these materials and their mechanical
properties. Molecular dynamics modelling
together with experimental studies have been
used to gain an improved insight into the
behaviour of natural fibres.
www.manchester.ac.uk/materials/postgraduate
The degree
One-third (60 credits) of the degree is taught and two-
thirds (120 credits) is a research project; the taught
units are made up of core and optional units, and
include:
Core units
• Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering
• Advanced Composite Manufacturing
Optional units
• Introduction to Composite Design
• Manufacturing for the Complete Life Cycle
• Polymer Characterisation
• Structure and Mechanical Properties of Polymers
• Polymer Processing and Industrial Case Study
• Advanced Composites
• Materials Performance – Life Cycle Design
• Advanced Analytical Techniques
• Engineering Design and Communication
• Finite Elements
• Research Methods
Research project
You will complete an eight-month supervised research
project. The project may be undertaken within the
School of Materials or the School of Mechanical
Aerospace and Civil Engineering at The University of
Manchester, or within industry, research organisation
or a collaborating university. Students who have been
in attendance for the first semester may in special
circumstances carry out their research overseas but
distance learning students may only do so within the
UK.
CPD / individual units
You have the option to undertake individual units as a
standalone course, and in some areas it is possible to
undertake a one-week discrete CPD module. Details
are available on request.
Contact us
For further information, you can email us at
pg-materials@manchester.ac.uk or call us on +44
(0)161 306 5777
You can apply online now at
www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapply