University of Bristol - Science and Engineering
MSc Advanced Composites
Bristol, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 32,500 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* home applicants | overseas applicants: 25 july 2025
** overseas full-time tuition
Key Summary
Composites are increasingly replacing traditional metallic components in various industrial applications, such as aerospace structures (aircraft wings and fuselage, rocket fairings, satellite structures), wind turbine blades and automotive components (chassis for F1 cars and hypercars, lightweight components for electric vehicles), due to their high specific stiffness and strength. The unique characteristics of composites are essential for making our future engineering produces more sustainable and energy-efficient. Currently, there is a high industrial demand for engineers with knowledge and skills in composites.
This MSc provides you with an in-depth theoretical understanding and practical knowledge of advanced composites. The programme is based in the Bristol Composites Institute (BCI), which houses state-of-the-art composites manufacturing facilities to help you conduct cutting-edge research in composites engineering.
As BCI has strong industrial and research links with major international companies and research centres, you will have great opportunities to study industry-relevant problems through your dissertation projects. BCI closely collaborates with the National Composites Centre (NCC) to create synergies between academia and industry. The NCC offers our MSc graduates the chance to apply for the NCC internship scheme, which is an excellent opportunity to gain strong industrial research experience.
from 25th November 2024- 4th of December 2025
Our taught units primarily focus on structural mechanics, design and analysis, manufacturing, and testing of composites, while providing optional units to further specialise your expertise in other relevant areas.
The programme includes a research-based dissertation, which allows you to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the taught units to scientific or industrial problems. This research experience will support you in pursuing academic or professional careers in composites engineering.
Unit names
- Research Project
- Advanced Topics in Composites
- Composites for Lightweight Structures
- Composites Design, Manufacture and Product Development
- Composite Materials for Sustainability
Candidates should select 40CP of optional units: 20CP in TB1 and 20CP in TB2
- Technology Innovation in Practice
- Wind Energy Systems
- Smart Manufacturing Processes and Technologies
- Advanced Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity
University of Bristol is ranked 8th in the UK and 51st in the world (QS World University rankings 2026)
This programme is a great career development route for students with engineering or non-engineering backgrounds to develop and expand their expertise in composites engineering.
Graduates from this programme could enter a career in one of the rapidly growing composites-related industries, such as aerospace, marine, automotive and wind turbine engineering, materials testing/manufacturing or engineering consultancy. Some of our MSc graduates continue to PhD study.