Studies & Degrees in Materials Engineering
Materials engineering is the branch of engineering that develops, processes and tests the materials from which products are made. Materials engineers study the properties and structures of metals, polymers, ceramics and other substances, create new materials, and help choose the right one for each product. The discipline is often taught under the name materials science and engineering, because it joins the science of how a material is built at the atomic level with the engineering of how it is produced and used.
Students start with mathematics, physics and chemistry and then work through each class of material. The bachelor's degree (grado) in Ingeniería de Materiales at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) is a typical example. Its first year covers mechanics, thermodynamics, chemistry and the structure of materials. Later years add metallic, ceramic, polymer and composite materials, nanotechnology, surface engineering, simulation and the recycling of materials. In the fourth year students choose electives in structural materials, functional materials or biomaterials and complete a final project of 12 ECTS credits. Purdue University in the United States describes the same field through four linked elements: processing, structure, properties and performance.
Qualifications and levels
The usual entry qualification is a bachelor's degree. In Spain an official bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits, at 60 credits per academic year, as set by Royal Decree 822/2021. Official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits and lead on to a doctorate.
In the United States the degree is a Bachelor of Science, usually in Materials Science and Engineering. Many programmes are accredited by ABET, the body that accredits engineering degrees there. Northwestern University, Purdue University and The Pennsylvania State University all state that their undergraduate programmes hold this accreditation. Some universities add options to the basic degree: Northwestern lists a combined BS/MS degree, a co-op programme (internship) and study abroad.
The level you need depends on the job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), entry-level jobs typically require a bachelor's degree, while some jobs, such as those in research and development, require a master's degree or PhD. A licence is not required for entry-level positions in the United States. Experienced engineers may later obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) licence.
Where to study materials engineering
SpainExchange lists 68 active schools for this subject. The United States has the most, with 37, followed by Spain with 11. Canada and the United Kingdom have three each, China and Brazil two each, and Nigeria, Australia, Denmark, Italy, Belgium and Chile one each.
Examples in the United States include Northwestern University in Evanston, Purdue University in West Lafayette, The Pennsylvania State University, Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which has a Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Elsewhere, the list includes the University of Wollongong in Australia, VIA University College in Denmark and Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.
The language of instruction follows the country: English in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, and mainly Spanish in Spain. Some Spanish degrees include teaching in English. The UPM study plan marks the two semesters of the third year as taught in English. Check the language of each course with the school before you apply.
Careers
Materials engineers work in offices, factories and research and development laboratories. The BLS names five common specialisations: ceramic, composites, metallurgical, polymers and semiconductor engineering.
The BLS counted about 23,800 materials engineering jobs in the United States in 2025. Their largest employers were:
- Transportation equipment manufacturing, 17%
- Research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences, 10%
- Engineering services, 9%
- Government, 7%
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing, 6%
The BLS projects employment of materials engineers to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,300 openings each year. These figures describe the United States only. In Spain, the UPM names the energy and chemical sectors, telecommunications, biomedical engineering, aeronautics and aerospace, defence, product design and environmental control among the industries that hire its graduates.
Frequently asked questions
Is materials engineering the same as materials science?
Universities usually teach the two together, and many degrees are called Materials Science and Engineering. The science part explains the structure and properties of a material. The engineering part deals with processing it and using it in products.
How long does a degree in materials engineering take?
In Spain an official bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits, which is four academic years at 60 credits a year. An official master's degree adds 60 to 120 credits. In other countries the length depends on the national system, so check each school's page.
Which school subjects prepare you for this degree?
The BLS recommends mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry and calculus, sciences, such as chemistry and physics, and computer programming.
Do materials engineers need a licence?
In the United States a licence is not required for entry-level jobs, according to the BLS. Rules differ between countries, so ask the school or the professional body in the country where you plan to work.