Course 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.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2025/msc-advanced-composites.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
This course has a subject classification which requires students whose nationality is outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to have an ATAS certificate, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application.
Further information can be found on the UK Government's website: www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths subject. If you do not have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Composites Engineering, Engineering Design or Mechanical Engineering, you must have a UK score of 60% (or international equivalent) in the following units: One mechanics unit. Or One materials unit, and one unit from the following list: Composites, Finite Element Analysis, Manufacture, Mathematics, Programming, or Simulations. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: evidence of significant, relevant paid work experience (minimum one year) in the Composites industry as an engineer (not in managerial roles) a relevant postgraduate qualification Specific module requirements would still apply. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £14500 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £14500 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £14500 | Year 1 |
Wales | £14500 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £14500 | Year 1 |
EU | £32500 | Year 1 |
International | £32500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU