MSc Advanced Composites
- MSc
Overview
Composites are increasingly replacing traditional metallic components in various industrial applications, such as aerospace structures (aircraft wings and fuselage, rocket fairings, satellite structures), wind turbine blades and automotive components (chassis for F1 cars and hypercars, lightweight components for electric vehicles), due to their high specific stiffness and strength. The unique characteristics of composites are essential for making our future engineering produces more sustainable and energy-efficient. Currently, there is a high industrial demand for engineers with knowledge and skills in composites.
This MSc provides you with an in-depth theoretical understanding and practical knowledge of advanced composites. The programme is based in the Bristol Composites Institute (BCI), which houses state-of-the-art composites manufacturing facilities to help you conduct cutting-edge research in composites engineering.
As BCI has strong industrial and research links with major international companies and research centres, you will have great opportunities to study industry-relevant problems through your dissertation projects. BCI closely collaborates with the National Composites Centre (NCC) to create synergies between academia and industry. The NCC offers our MSc graduates the chance to apply for the NCC internship scheme, which is an excellent opportunity to gain strong industrial research experience.
Programme structure
Our taught units primarily focus on structural mechanics, design and analysis, manufacturing and testing of composites, while providing optional units to further specialise your expertise in other relevant areas.
The programme includes a research-based dissertation, which allows you to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the taught units to scientific or industrial problems. This research experience will support you in pursuing academic or professional careers in composites engineering.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Advanced Composites.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths subject.
If you do not have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Composites Engineering, Engineering Design or Mechanical Engineering, you must have a UK score of 60% (or international equivalent) in the following units:
One mechanics unit.
OrOne materials unit, and one unit from the following list: Composites, Finite Element Analysis, Manufacture, Mathematics, Programming, or Simulations.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:
- evidence of significant, relevant paid work experience (minimum one year) in the Composites industry as an engineer (not in managerial roles)
- a relevant postgraduate qualification
Specific module requirements would still apply.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £14,500 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £7,250 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £32,500 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
This programme is a great career development route for students with engineering or non-engineering backgrounds to develop and expand their expertise in composites engineering.
Graduates from this programme could enter a career in one of the rapidly growing composites-related industries, such as aerospace, marine, automotive and wind turbine engineering, materials testing/manufacturing or engineering consultancy. Some of our MSc graduates continue to PhD study.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk