Metallurgy and MaterialsPhD / MSc (Res)

Explore a range of research interests guided by our world-leading academic staff such as Materials Processing, Materials for Challenging Environments and Materials for Sustainability.

You'll have access to cutting-edge equipment and facilities, along with industrial support to build valuable connections.

Programme Structure

What makes a Metallurgy and Materials PhD at Birmingham different?

You will address real-world challenges and broaden your impact in the supportive environment of the School of Metallurgy and Materials, the oldest department of its kind in the UK.  You’ll be offered opportunities to work on diverse topics in materials science and engineering, often in collaboration with industry.

As a founding partner of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, we facilitate innovative manufacturing processes and technologies to be developed at an industrial scale. Through the High Temperature Research Centre, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, we enable research and experimentation to deliver rapid high-quality product and process innovation all the way to very high Technology Readiness Levels.

• Our School of Metallurgy and Materials is the oldest department of Materials Science in the UK
• Join a department consistently ranked in the Top 100 globally for Materials Science (QS World University Ranking 2025) with a thriving research community
• Gain advanced research skills while conducting impactful projects where 96% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent (Engineering REF 2021)

• Actively engage in seminars which promote deeper comprehension through dialogue and interaction
• Learn collaboratively in workshops through group work which will enhance your teamwork skills and your ability to appreciate others perspectives
• Develop a spectrum of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, time management, and communication through project work
• Benefit from 1:1 supervision that offers personalised learning which gives you the opportunity to get tailored guidance and feedback that meets your individual needs
• Experience active learning and engagement in the lab which develop skills such as collaboration, teamwork, critical thinking and independent problem-solving

If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded although scholarships are available.

Find an Advertised PhD

Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.

Find a supervisor

If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.

When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.

Staff within Metallurgy and Materials

Our research themes include:

• Advanced Materials Processing;
• Materials for Challenging Environments;
• Materials for Sustainability;
• Multifunctional Materials and Devices.

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

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.

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.

Funding options

Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer

You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

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

If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

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.

You may also decide to opt for a career in academia, with some popular choices being as Research Fellow, Postdoctoral Researcher, Lecturer and HE professional services roles.

There is no single definitive list of jobs you can do with a PhD, but former alumni of the School have gone on to enjoy exciting careers in Rolls-Royce, GE, BAE Systems, Deloitte, Airbus, Unilever, amongst many others.

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.