Materials

The School encompasses an exceptional breadth of research and training in materials, from design and development, to performance and protection and management and marketing. Our multidisciplinary research activity covers broad, socially relevant materials themes that allow us to meet the needs of industry and society. Our research is organised into eight research themes, although research projects often involve researchers in other groups, other schools, other universities and industry. See more about our research themes at https://www.materials.manchester.ac.uk/research/themes/ . A research degree from the School and the University is held in the highest esteem and recognised worldwide. Many of our graduates work in the most prestigious institutions and organisations throughout the world. Much of the School's research has a significant impact on society and commerce; such as the development of new welding techniques enabling more fuel-effecient jet engines, and a new class of high performance, low density magnesium alloys to improve performance and reduce fuel consumption in the aerospace and automotive industries. The School provides first-class opportunities and facilities for our students to study specific subjects in-depth to a postgraduate research degree level. There are flexible study packages available, as well as an extensive range of PhD studentships and University funding packages . Many of our research students are sponsored by a variety of School, University and industry resources. Please contact us to find out more.

Students attend the university from over 150 countries around the world and there are various systems in place to help them adapt to their new life. The Student Immigration Team is a dedicated team in place to help with support and advice regarding immigration and visas and are based at the Student Services Centre. The student support centre is a single contact point for all students to help with matters such as finances, examinations, graduation and other matters. There is also help and advice on hand for matter such as integration into the community, learning English and making the most of the time in the UK. The centre of student life is the Students Union (UMIST), which formed at the same time as the university was created in 2004. It is run by an eight-member team rather than a single president. The athletics Union is responsible for the sports clubs within the university and there are over 80 health and fitness classes in addition to 44 sports clubs. There are around 250 societies and clubs in total across many areas of interest including a student run newspaper, radio station, a fundraising organisation, a volunteer project and across the arts and politics arena.