As far as careers in science go, few can hold a candle to materials engineering when it comes to versatility. It’s not hard to imagine why: from plastic to nylon to synthetic rubber, synthetic materials are ubiquitous.

Whether you’d like to work in medicine, aerospace engineering, or essentially any field you can imagine, a career in materials engineering is the way to go.

No matter if you’re just starting out or would like to take your career to the next level, these seven universities will equip you with the skills and qualifications you need to be a successful materials engineer.

In this guide, we let you in on some of the world’s best materials engineering schools.

What Jobs are Available for Material Engineers?

There are a number of job options available for material engineers. Material engineering is commonly referred to as materials science and since it involves the studying of the properties of different materials so as to develop similar materials with better physical and chemical properties, jobs are available for professionals in this field in numerous areas. Material Engineers are employed in sectors such as aerospace, oil and gas, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, research, among others. These jobs pay relatively competitive salaries making it a good career path to follow for those interested in materials science.

Top Materials Engineering Schools in the World

1. Nanyang Technological University

Among the best materials engineering schools in the world, Nanyang Technological University has consistently been ranked among Asia’s best universities. With its emphasis on science and technology, it comes as no surprise that Nanyang has an excellent materials engineering program.

What sets this program apart is its versatility. As an undergraduate student, you can choose to pair your major in materials engineering with one in business, medical biology or pharmaceutical engineering. There is even a program in which you can study for a double degree in materials engineering and economics.

Many of Nanyang’s professors are industry practitioners, so you’re sure to learn skills that are relevant to an actual work environment.

Click to See: Nanyang Technological University Acceptance Rate

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At Department of Materials Science and Engineering in MIT, you’ll find yourself in a challenging, yet supportive environment surrounded by world class faculty and peers. Professors of this excellent materials engineering institution are regularly involved with the latest breakthroughs and inventions, such as this rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

At both the undergraduate and graduate level, you’ll be doing lab work from the get-go. If you’d like to be at the forefront of solving problems like cancer and the energy crisis, MIT is the place for you.

3. Stanford University

Located at the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford University is an obvious choice for anyone looking for a degree in materials engineering. You’ll be surrounded by companies like Apple and Tesla while being supported by BEAM, Stanford’s renowned career center.

Being recognized as one of the best materials engineering schools, Stanford is unique in that it allows you to obtain both a bachelor’s and master’s degree at the same time through its Coterminal Program. You can apply for this program after obtaining 120 undergraduate credits. Note that admission is incredibly competitive and the acceptance rate for Stanford University is generally quite low.

4. Cambridge University

Founded in 1209, Cambridge University is by far the oldest institution on this list. Studying here gives you access to its library and museums, as well as to a distinguished group of roughly 30 academic staff in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Cambridge excels at connecting students to the industry. Guest speakers come from all over the world to share their knowledge, and students are given plenty of opportunities to embark on field trips and internships.

Cambridge also has partners in the public and private sectors helping to fund its research, so students of this top-notch materials engineering institution are sure to have the resources and knowledge to pursue their interests.

See Also: Cambridge University Scholarships for International Students

5. Harvard University

When you think of the best universities in the world, Harvard almost always comes to mind. Being the oldest university in the US, Harvard has a history of excellence with famous alumni including Barrack Obama, Robert Frost, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

Cross-disciplinary training is at the heart of Harvard’s materials engineering program. You’ll have the opportunity to take courses in other subjects like chemistry and applied physics.

At Harvard, you’ll also be able to collaborate with your classmates and professors on real-world research projects in areas like bioengineering, cryptography, and environmental engineering.

Read More: Harvard University Acceptance Rate

6. National University of Singapore

The second Singaporean university to make the list, the National University of Singapore is another one of the best materials engineering schools in the world. It is number one in Asia for employment when it comes to materials science and engineering. HR departments in the region and all over the world hold it in high regard.

If you’d like to get a taste of what it’s like to study materials engineering at NUS, you can check out one of the video seminars on the program’s home page, which is linked above.

See Also: IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in Singapore

7. Georgia Institute of Technology

The Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Materials Science and Engineering is the product of the merging of the School of Ceramic Engineering, the Metallurgy Program and the School of Polymer, Textile and Fiber Engineering over the course of more than a century.

Because of its multidisciplinary origin, Georgia Tech’s materials engineering program is one of the most varied in the world. Prospective students can be sure to receive a holistic education that covers all aspects of the subject.

While the school offers both a master’s and PhD program, our advice is to opt for the latter, as it is more well-developed at this point.

Learn More: Georgia Institute of Technology Admissions

We hope this article on the best materials engineering schools was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more! 

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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