Overview

Composites are increasingly replacing traditional metallic components in various industrial applications, such as aerospace structures, wind turbine blades and automotive components.

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 the field of composites engineering.

Furthermore, 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 is closely collaborating with the National Composites Centre 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 to pursue 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

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in a STEM subject.

Applicants who have studied a non-Engineering STEM subject must have at least one mechanics module (such as mechanics of materials, solid mechanics or structural mechanics) at 60%. If you have not studied any mechanics modules then you must have at least one module related to materials (such as structure of materials or strength of materials) at 60% AND one module related to one of the following areas: Maths (algebra, statistics or calculus), Simulations, Manufacture, finite element analysis, MATLAB or other coding experience, or composites at 60%.

Applicants who are predicted to achieve or have achieved a first-class honours degree in a STEM subject and do not meet the above module requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies. We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant qualification.

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 statement

If 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

UK: full-time
£14,000 per year
Overseas: full-time
£30,900 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 for 2024/25

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.