| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months full time |
| Entry year | September 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Physics and Astronomy |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | 2:1 degree in Physics, Natural Science, Engineering, Materials Science, Maths or Chemistry (with a significant component of Physical Chemistry) |
|---|---|
Overview
- Join the next generation of materials scientists and engineers with our MSc in Metamaterials.
- Enhance your knowledge of the physical principles of advanced materials and metamaterials and apply cutting-edge analytical and numerical methodologies to design and fabricate them.
- Gain practical insights into contemporary real-world problems and how innovative solutions can be facilitated through novel material properties.
- Benefit from Exeter’s interdisciplinary research expertise, our industrial partners and connections with the wider metamaterials community.
Fast Track (current Exeter students)
Contact
Programme Directors: Professor Alastair Hibbins and Dr Maciej Dabrowski
Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72
Top 15 in the UK for Physics and Astronomy
12th in the Guardian University Guide 2026; 11th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Learn from research-active academics leading in the advanced materials and metamaterials field
Opportunities to connect with industrial scientists and engineers from organisations at the forefront of advanced materials
Contribute to research while studying by undertaking an independent research project linked with one of our research groups.
Top 15 in the UK for Physics and Astronomy
12th in the Guardian University Guide 2026; 11th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Learn from research-active academics leading in the advanced materials and metamaterials field
Opportunities to connect with industrial scientists and engineers from organisations at the forefront of advanced materials
Contribute to research while studying by undertaking an independent research project linked with one of our research groups.
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to have a 2:1 degree in Physics, Natural Science, Engineering, Materials Science, Maths or Chemistry (with a significant component of Physical Chemistry).
Applications will also be considered from candidates with a 2:2 in these subject areas or if they have additional industrial experience. In these instances, applicants should refer to the programme director.
Prerequisite experience needed
Assumed knowledge for the core courses in this degree include:
- Basic mathematics for physics: single and multi-variable calculus (differentiation and integration), trigonometry, complex numbers, vectors, vector calculus, Taylor and Fourier series, Fourier transforms.
- Introductory scientific computing: data handling, simple statistics (computing means and variances), plotting functions and histograms, writing simple programs in a general-purpose programming language e.g. Python or C++.
International students may require an ATAS certificate.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
Our MSc has been designed to equip you with the skills for success in the field of advanced materials innovation. The programme draws on the disciplines of Engineering and Physics, providing you with the skill set needed to model, simulate, design and experimentally characterise novel materials with unique properties.
You will develop a well-balanced understanding of the physics of such materials, across a variety of regimes including electromagnetism, acoustics, elasticity and quantum, whilst attaining an engineering perspective on their applications. You will gain the technical skills to solve problems that currently can’t be solved with conventional material properties whilst having the opportunity to gain insight into the innovation and entrepreneurship required to take such developments outside of academia.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYM502 | Frontiers in Physics Research | 15 |
| ENGM016 | Metamaterials | 15 |
| ENGM017 | Composite Materials | 15 |
| PHYM017 | Theory and Application of Metamaterials | 15 |
| PHYM503 | Research Project | 90 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 30 credits from: | ||
| PHY3064 | Nanostructures and Graphene Science | 15 |
| ENGM026 | Design, Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 15 |
| ENGM002 | Advanced Communication Systems | 15 |
| ENG3004 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 15 |
| ENG3022 | Finite Element Analysis for High Value Manufacturing | 15 |
| ENGM023 | Sustainable Manufacturing | 15 |
| PHYM003 | Condensed Matter II | 15 |
| PHYM015 | Quantum Optics and Photonics | 15 |
| PHY3071 | Soft Matter | 15 |
| ENGM010 | Data-Centric Engineering | 15 |
| ENGM001 | Additive Manufacturing | 15 |
| PHY2037 | Nonlinear Optics and Imaging | 15 |
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,900 full-time
International fees per year:
£28,900 full-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..
Teaching and research
MSc Metamaterials provides an unparalleled student experience, immersing you in our dynamic teaching and research environment from day one. Our interdisciplinary programme fosters a creative environment for you to study, research and innovate. Engaging regularly with research-active academics and industry leaders through seminars, workshops, and tutorials, you will discuss material that is at the very cutting edge of the discipline of advanced materials and metamaterials. You will also attend departmental, national and international colloquia, enhancing your knowledge in the field.
The Centre for Metamaterials Research and Innovation
This programme is part of Exeter's Centre for Metamaterials Research and Innovation (CMRI) at Exeter is a community of academic, industrial, and governmental partners that harness research excellence from theory to application, and enable simulation, measurement, and fabrication of metamaterials and metamaterial-based devices. Our academic expertise spans electromagnetism (from visible and infra-red through to THz and microwave), acoustics and fluidics. The materials we work with have wide application, e.g. imaging, sensing and spectroscopy, acoustic and RF signature reduction, energy storage and harvesting.
Careers
The MSc Metamaterials programme positions you at the forefront of a sector with soaring demand for skilled professionals. As industries increasingly recognise the transformative potential of advanced materials and metamaterials, your expertise will be sought after for a range of impactful roles.
Employment opportunities
There is a wealth of employability opportunities in both the private and public sectors. Particularly pertinent sectors have roots in advanced and metamaterials for sustainability, where such devices offer ways to tackle the climate crisis through energy efficiency, storage, generation, harvesting and conversion with further applications such as passive cooling, low-power computing, lightweighting in aviation and waste heat recovery.
Industry connections
Through our extensive industry connections, you'll have the chance to engage directly with local industries as well as brand name industrial partners. This exposure not only enriches your academic journey but also provides you with an opportunity to connect with those recruiting in the field.
You will benefit from the CMRI's long term and extensive links with regional and national employers; graduates from CMRI have started successful careers in a range of industries and organisations (e.g. QinetiQ, Snap Inc, Quantum Brilliance, Diabetes UK, Dstl, Institute of Cancer Research, COMSOL, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, GALGUS, BAE Systems, and academic institutions around the globe).
Careers support
You will receive support from our dedicated Career Zone team, who provide excellent career guidance at all stages of career planning. The Career Zone provides one-on-one support and is home to a wealth of business and industry contacts. Additionally, they host useful training events, workshops and lectures which are designed to further support you in developing your enterprise acumen. Please visit the Career Zone for additional information on their services.
