Materials in Fusion Energy MRes

Develop advanced scientific knowledge, concepts and skills for a career in the nuclear sector. Immersing you in the fusion environment, our course prepares you for research or technology roles in materials science and engineering.

Course Structure

This course consists of 180 credits distributed over 1 year. One-third of the content consists of taught modules, and two-thirds of the content is the individual research project, which is carried out in the summer.

• Strong industry connections, including with the nuclear industry and the UK Atomic Energy Authority 
• Course led by Joint Chair in Fusion Materials plus close links with Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
• World-leading facilities, including two particle accelerators

• Learn about cutting-edge developments in your chosen areas of interest, with lectures delivered by world-leaders in their fields
• Receive tailored guidance and feedback in tutorials, enabling you to tackle specific challenges and enhance comprehension of the material
• Actively engage in seminars which promote deeper comprehension through dialogue and interaction
• Foster independent through project work, preparing you for professional environments and ongoing personal development
• Experience active learning and engagement in the lab which helps you develop skills such as collaboration, teamwork, critical thinking, and independent problem-solving when conducting experiments

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

2025/26

Core modules:

Research interests in the School of Metallurgy and Materials relevant to this programme

• Advanced Materials Processing
  

  Driven by innovation in manufacturing methods, our work focuses on application in industry. Our extensive capability includes additive manufacturing, solidification technology and thermomechanical processing via experimental and modelling techniques.

• Materials for Sustainability
  

  Our interests focus on technologically relevant energy materials, their modelling, characterisation and recyclability.

• Nuclear Robotics
  

  The Birmingham Extreme Robotics Lab (ERL) is Europe’s most prominent university lab dedicated to nuclear and other extreme environment applications of advanced robotics and AI.

• High Temperature Materials
  

  High operating temperature and pressures are necessary to increase the overall efficiency of power plant. In order to reach these efficiencies new materials must be developed. The next generation of nuclear plant will operate at significantly higher temperatures. We are investing significantly in research and development in this area.

• Ceramic Matrix Composites
  

  There is a good case to be made for using ceramic matrix composites in the next generation of nuclear reactors and development and evaluation of these materials is ongoing in the Institute.

• Surface Engineering
  

  Current challenges for stainless steel and other alloy components include surface degradation through wear and corrosion. We are investigating and developing novel surface engineering technologies that will significantly increase hardness, enhance corrosion resistance and increase wear resistance by up to two orders of magnitude.

• Corrosion and Cracking
  

  We have significant experience and capability in understanding and developing materials to limit corrosion and cracking both in a nuclear plant and a nuclear waste storage context. The majority of the activity in this area is in collaboration with national and international stakeholders and by its very nature is truly interdisciplinary.

• Microstructure Characterisation and Modelling
  

  Radiation damage can cause significant changes within an alloy and the morphology of radiation damage needs to be understood so that it can be limited. The team work closely with industry quantifying micro-structural development during alloy process routes, particularly determining distributions of grains and precipitates as they develop spatially and over time.

• Plant Life
  

  We have historically played an important role in understanding the basis for the long-term continued operation of nuclear plant. This expertise will be vital in developing the next generation of materials for reactors of the future.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 Listening, 21 Speaking and 19 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 25 in each skill

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

Research proposal

If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.

ATAS - Academic Technology Approval Scheme

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

Careers Network

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.