Creating Career Path...

Finding Further Careers...

Science & Research

Materials Scientist

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

Imagine you are a detective, but instead of finding clues about a mystery, you are looking for clues about how things are made and how they work! That is a bit like what a Materials Scientist does. They study all sorts of materials, like metals, plastics, glass, and even things found in nature. They want to understand why a certain material is strong or bendy, or why it conducts electricity or keeps things warm. They also try to invent new materials with special powers, like plastic that can fix itself or metal that is super light but super strong. Materials Scientists work in labs, using microscopes and other cool tools to look very closely at materials. They might also work in factories, helping to make sure products are built using the best materials. They help make sure our phones, bikes, and even the buildings we live in are made from the best stuff possible. It is a bit like being a wizard who can change things to make them better and stronger!

Materials Scientist

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

📊 Statistics

Starting Salary

A new Materials Scientist in the UK might earn around 25,000 to 30,000 pounds a year.

Experienced Salary

With more experience, a Materials Scientist in the UK could earn 35,000 to 50,000 pounds or even more each year.

Number of Jobs

There are many job opportunities for Materials Scientists in the UK in different industries like making cars, planes, or even medicines.

🚀 Careers in this path

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Toy Designer

Imagine new toys and games for children! You would choose special materials to make them fun and safe to play with, like soft fabrics for cuddly toys or strong plastic for building blocks. You would draw your ideas and then help make them real!

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Food Scientist

Have you ever wondered how your favourite crisps stay crunchy or how ice cream gets so creamy? A Food Scientist studies different ingredients and how they work together. They make sure our food is tasty, healthy, and safe to eat, and they might even invent new yummy snacks!

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Recycling Engineer

Help save our planet by figuring out the best ways to reuse old things! You would look at different materials, like plastic bottles or old newspapers, and find clever ways to turn them into something new and useful, instead of throwing them away. You help make the world a cleaner place!

Learning & Exploring

Be Curious About Materials

Start by looking closely at all the different things around you. What are they made of? Why do some things bend and others break easily?

When you're playing, notice how different toys feel. Is one toy soft and squishy like a teddy bear? Is another hard and smooth like a plastic building block? Think about why a bouncy ball bounces or why a metal spoon is strong. Asking 'why' is the first step to becoming a great scientist!

Do Fun Science Experiments

Try simple science experiments at home or school that show you how different materials behave. This helps you understand how things work.

You could try mixing ingredients in the kitchen to see what new materials you can create, like making slime or playdough. Or, see which materials float and which sink in a bowl of water. You could even test which materials are good at keeping things warm or cold. Always make sure to have a grown-up help you with experiments!

Read About Science

Read books, watch documentaries, or visit museums to learn about cool materials and amazing scientific discoveries.

There are lots of exciting books about how things are made and what different materials do. You might find out how glass is made from sand, or how new plastics can be recycled into new toys. Visiting a science museum can be super fun too, as you often get to touch and interact with different materials and machines.

School & Skills

Enjoy Science and Maths at School

Pay extra attention in your science and maths lessons. These subjects are super important for understanding materials.

Science helps you understand how the world works, and maths helps you measure and predict things. As you get older, you'll learn about chemistry (how tiny particles make up materials) and physics (how forces make materials move or break). These will be your superpowers as a Materials Scientist!

Build & Create Things

Try building models or making things with different materials. This helps you see how they fit together.

Whether it's with LEGO, craft supplies, or even helping build something with a grown-up, getting hands-on experience is great. You'll learn what works well and what doesn't, and how different materials have different strengths and weaknesses. Maybe you can design a super-strong bridge out of spaghetti!

Visit Universities & Companies

Later on, you can visit places like universities or factories to see how real scientists and engineers work with materials.

Many universities have 'open days' where you can visit their labs and see amazing equipment. You might see powerful microscopes that can look at tiny atoms, or machines that test how strong different metals are. Sometimes, companies that make things also offer tours or experiences where you can see materials being used in real products.

Future Steps & Study

Study Science at Secondary School

When you're older, choose subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Maths for your GCSEs and A-Levels.

These subjects are the building blocks for a career in Materials Science. Physics helps you understand why materials behave the way they do, Chemistry helps you understand what materials are made of, and Maths helps you analyse data and solve problems. Good grades in these subjects will help you get into university.

Go to University

Study a degree like Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry at university.

Many universities in the UK offer special degrees just for Materials Science. During your degree, you'll learn all about different types of materials, like metals, plastics, ceramics, and even super-new 'smart' materials. You'll do lots of exciting practical work in labs, experimenting and designing new materials. Some courses even include a year working in a real company!

Start Your Career

After university, you can work in exciting places like companies making new things, or in research labs inventing super cool materials.

Materials Scientists work in lots of different areas! You could help design lighter aeroplanes, stronger bicycle frames, new types of medical implants, or even better batteries for electric cars. You might work in a lab, design things on a computer, or even visit factories to see how materials are made and used. There are so many possibilities to make the world a better place with new and improved materials!

🎬 Useful Videos

Expert Film: This is Laura Malone, who works as a Site Manager for Morgan Sindall. Laura talks about the stretchiness of materials.
1:14
Expert

Expert Film: This is Laura Malone, who works as a Site Manager for Morgan Sindall. Laura talks about the stretchiness of materials.

over 2 years ago
Expert Film: This is Matt Rees, who works as the Design Manager for Morgan Sindall. Matt talks about the properties of materials.
1:21
Expert

Expert Film: This is Matt Rees, who works as the Design Manager for Morgan Sindall. Matt talks about the properties of materials.

over 2 years ago
Expert Film: This is Andy Clayton, who works as the Social Value Manager for Morgan Sindall. Andy talks about the uses of materials.
1:32
Expert

Expert Film: This is Andy Clayton, who works as the Social Value Manager for Morgan Sindall. Andy talks about the uses of materials.

over 2 years ago

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Materials Scientist. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

A Materials Scientist primarily researches and develops new materials, which closely aligns with the work of a Materials Engineer who designs and tests materials for specific applications, encompassing both scientific understanding and engineering application.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship

University

You'll normally need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject, like:

  • materials engineering
  • materials science or technology
  • applied chemistry
  • applied physics

You could also take a degree course specialising in one group of materials or their commercial use, for example:

  • metallurgy
  • biomaterials
  • polymer science
  • sports engineering

If you have a related degree, for example, structural engineering, you may be able to take a postgraduate course in materials science and engineering.

You can search for materials science and engineering courses, accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, on the Engineering Council website.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a degree apprenticeship to begin your materials engineering career. Examples include:

  • Materials Science Technologist Level 6
  • Space Systems Engineer Level 6
  • Materials Process Engineer Level 7

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Career tips

Choosing to do an accredited course or a degree apprenticeship can help towards registration for incorporated or chartered engineer status with a professional body. This is a way to demonstrate your professional competence and expertise as your career progresses.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in materials science and engineering from:

Interested in More Career Paths?

Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.

Browse All Careers Generate New Career Path

Stay connected

Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases

Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK

Phone
01603 273515

Email
[email protected]

Developing Experts

LessonsAboutResearchReportingPlans & Pricing

Legal

GDPRPrivacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsCookie Policy

Contact Us

Get in touchRequest SubscriptionChildren's CodeAbout UsCareers

Copyright 2026 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.