Materials

As a student on the DPhil in Materials programme you will be part of one of the top-ranked materials departments in the world. This vibrant research school consists of around 31 academic staff, 14 Senior Research Fellows, and around 220 research students and 84 postdoctoral researchers. Research students are of many nationalities and come to the department from diverse scientific backgrounds. They are graduates in the traditional subjects of materials science, physics, chemistry and engineering and also mathematics, earth sciences and biology.

The DPhil in Materials is normally carried out in three and a half to four years of full-time study under the supervision of an experienced member of staff. It is examined at the end of the programme by means of a written thesis and an oral examination. A wide range of exciting DPhil projects is available, including a number on Materials for Nuclear Fusion Reactors. In common with other UK universities, the first year is a probationary year, soon after which, subject to satisfactory progress, you will normally transfer to full DPhil status. A second formal assessment of progress takes place later in the programme, normally in the middle of the third year. Details of the DPhil programme, including training opportunities (academic courses, research-specific skills and generic transferable career skills) and progression requirements, can be found in the current version of the Materials graduate course handbook.

Research interests of the department extend over most branches of materials science, as well as some aspects of solid state physics and chemistry: they include the study of a wide range of materials of relevance in advanced technological applications, including metals and alloys, composites, semi- and super-conductors, polymers, biomaterials, ceramics and materials for quantum information processing.

Much of the research is carried out in close collaboration with industry. World-leading research takes place on:

• characterisation of materials, where there is emphasis on electron microscopy and related techniques
• processing and manufacturing of materials
• modelling of materials, where there is attention to both structures and processes
• properties of materials
• energy materials, including those for batteries, nuclear fusion and photovoltaics
• quantum information processing, which includes groups working on experimental studies, theory and modelling.

Each of the department's research groups works within one or more of the following broad themes and research projects available to applicants for the DPhil in Materials are listed under these themes:

• energy materials
• structural and nuclear materials
• applied superconductivity
• device materials, including semiconductors and NEMS
• polymers and biomaterials
• nanomaterials
• processing and manufacturing, including metals, alloys, superconductors and polymers
• characterisation of materials
• computational materials modelling
• quantum information processing (experimental studies, theory, and modelling)

Further information on current research and individual members of staff is available via the Materials Science website.

An overview of the provision for research students in the Department of Materials can be found at the Summary of Provision for Materials Research Students webpage. Also available is Guidance on Supervision Arrangements.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Materials and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Materials.

Graduates of the DPhil and MSc by Research in Materials are highly regarded by a wide range of employers, including universities, high-tech start-up companies, engineering consultancies, industry (including aerospace, electronics, automotive, steel manufacture, medical and household products sectors), world-famous technology companies, schools and colleges, and the financial and business sectors.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the department

Materials MSc by Research
Nanotechnology PGCert

All graduate courses offered by the Department of Materials

Materials DPhil

Materials MSc by Research

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Entry requirements