Start & learn when it suits you — flexible learning for job‑ready Materials Science & Engineering knowledge & skills. No prior knowledge required.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This is a fast-track Materials Science & Engineering course which is unrivalled in the market and provides candidates with comprehensive knowledge, skills & understanding on the structure, properties, applications, manufacture, inspection & testing of engineering materials & advanced materials, including metallic materials (ferrous & non-ferrous metals & alloys), as well as non-metallic & advanced materials including ceramics, carbons, polymers and composites. 

The course has been developed by academic & industry experts which ensures that the content is both academically rigorous and practically relevant. 

You don’t need a university degree to build a successful career in Materials Science & Engineering. You need practical, industry-led training — and that’s exactly what we deliver. You will also obtain industry-recognised skills without taking on £50k+ of debt. The course can also be completed in weeks or months, not years.

Candidates also receive a comprehensive, full-colour Training Handbook that serves as both a course guide and a valuable reference tool after completion of the course.

Career Advancement

The course is designed to enhance candidates' career prospects by increasing their technical knowledge, skills, and understanding. 

No Prior Knowledge Required 

The course is suitable for candidates at all levels, including those new to engineering materials, as no specific qualification entry requirements are required. The course material is clear & easy to follow with reference to helpful U-Tube videos.

Course Structure

The course is structured as follows:

Chapter 1: Physical Metallurgy & Crystalline Structure of Metals & Alloys

Focuses on physical metallurgy and metal structure, including crystals, grain size, dislocations, creep, phase diagrams, heat treatment and microstructure analysis—the scientific foundation for how metals behave. 

Chapter 2: Mechanical Properties & their Measurement 

Covers mechanical properties and testing, such as tensile, impact, hardness, fracture toughness, creep and certification methods used to measure material performance. 

Chapter 3: Inspection: Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Techniques

Summarizes major non-destructive testing (NDT) methods used to inspect metals without damaging them, including radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, dye penetrant and eddy current testing.

Chapter 4: Steelmaking & Steel Manufacturing Processes

Explains how steel is made, from primary and secondary steelmaking through casting, solidification, forming, machining, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing and protection treatments.

Chapter 5: Metallurgy of Steel 

Covers steel characteristics, chemical composition effects and classifications. 

Includes heat treatment and hardenability concepts (e.g., quenching, tempering, Jominy testing, embrittlement).

Explores different steel types for specific applications (e.g., high‑strength, creep-resistant, cryogenic, automotive). 

Chapter 6: Metallurgy of Stainless Steel

Focuses on corrosion behaviour and stainless steel classifications. 

Covers major stainless families (austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, precipitation hardening).

Chapter 7: Metallurgy of Cast Iron

Describes types of cast iron and their properties.

Includes heat treatment routes and microstructural variations (e.g., ductile, grey, white, malleable irons).

Chapter 8: Nickel & Its Alloys

Highlights corrosion-resistant and high‑temperature nickel alloys. 

Introduces superalloys and applications in extreme environments. 

Chapter 9: Aluminium & Its Alloys

Differentiates heat-treatable vs non-heat-treatable alloys.

Covers wrought and cast aluminium systems. 

Chapter 10: Titanium & Its Alloys

Explains alpha, alpha-beta, and beta alloy classes.

Includes advanced titanium aluminides. 

Chapter 11: Copper & Its Alloys

Covers key copper alloy groups (brasses, bronzes, Cu‑Ni, Be‑Cu). 

Focuses on general properties and applications. 

Chapter 12: Magnesium Alloys

Outlines basic characteristics and classification standards.

Chapter 13: Zirconium Alloys

Describes commercial and nuclear‑grade alloys. 

Chapter 14: Advanced Alloys

Introduces cobalt alloys, refractory metals, and high entropy alloys.

Highlights specialised uses (e.g., superalloys, medical, high‑temperature applications). 

Chapter 15: Metal Joining (Welding)

Defines welding and major joining approaches. 

Covers key welding processes (arc welding methods and solid‑state techniques like friction stir welding).

Chapter 16 — Compounds; Ionic & Covalent Bonding 

A concise introduction to chemical bonding, focusing on ionic and covalent structures and their relevance to material behaviour.

Chapter 17 — Non‑Metallic Materials: Ceramics 

Covers structural clay products, glasses, refractories and abrasives, explaining their bonding, brittleness and high‑temperature performance.

Chapter 18 — Non‑Metallic Materials: Carbons

Reviews carbon allotropes including diamond, graphite, fullerenes, graphene and nanotubes, highlighting their unique mechanical and electrical properties.

Chapter 19 — Non‑Metallic Materials: Polymers

Explains polymer chemistry, molecular structure, thermoplastics vs thermosets, tensile behaviour, and major polymer groups such as plastics, elastomers, aramids and adhesives.

Chapter 20 — Non‑Metallic Materials: Composites

A detailed overview of composite classifications, including particle‑reinforced, fibre‑reinforced, polymer‑matrix, metal‑matrix, ceramic‑matrix, laminar and nanocomposites. Covers fibre orientation, anisotropy, modulus calculations, fabrication methods, mechanical testing and joining.

Flexible Self Study

The course is completed by self study, which means candidates can start and progress through the training at anytime, anywhere & at their own pace. No need to wait for course dates for classroom-based or online training courses and no need to pay travelling expenses & to spend time away paying for hotels & other living expenses. 

All course materials would be posted & e-mailed to the candidate. 

Total estimated self study time required to complete the course is 85 hours. 

The start date for the training would follow receipt of payment of the course fees.  

Full-Colour Training Handbook

Candidates also receive a comprehensive, full-colour Training Handbook that serves as both a course guide and a valuable reference tool after completion of the course.

Tutor Support

Candidates also have the support of a Course Tutor as they progress through the course.

Accreditation

Our courses also have accreditation from highly experienced, professionally qualified Chartered Engineers (CEng), Materials Engineers, Metallurgists (MIMMM) & Welding Technologists (MWeldI), with decades of industry experience working for leading engineering companies such as British Steel, Sheffield Forgemasters & Corus. The value of our certifications to industry has also been recognised by top organisations & professional bodies. 

Recognition from Leading Organisations & Professional Bodies

Our training has empowered professionals from leading organisations & professional bodies including: Arcelor Mittal; Bourne Steel; J & D Pierce Contracts Ltd; UKRI - Science & Technologies Facilities Council; TAQA Bratani; Moog Aircraft Group; Mclaren Automotive; Millar Callaghan Engineering Services Ltd; Murphy Group; Professional Lifting Services Ltd; Mueller Europe; WQiC; Harold Newsome Ltd; William Haley Engineering Ltd; RWE Generation UK PLC; TEi Ltd; The Institute of Cast Metal Engineers (ICME); Sulzer; Thames Reinforcements; Lemon Reinforcement; HyTen Chatham and The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC.)

ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION

Candidates are assessed on the training by continuous assessment and those who achieve the required standard will be awarded a 'PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING (CertMatEng)' & CPD 85 HOURS.

INDUSTRY SECTORS

The knowledge & skills gained on the course are valuable a wide range of engineering materials industry sectors, including:

🔺 AEROSPACE

🔺 AUTOMOTIVE

🔺 OIL & GAS

🔺CHEMICAL

🔺POWER GENERATION, INCLUDING NUCLEAR

🔺ENGINEERING

🔺CONSTRUCTION

🔺FOOD & DRINK

🔺DEFENCE

SELF STUDY COURSE BOOKING FORM

Course Fees: £1950 per person, inclusive of a comprehensive, full colour Training Handbook & all Assessment & Certification fees.

Please click on the LINK to download and complete the SELF STUDY booking form if you would like to make a booking, or Contact Us if you require any further information. 

Course Tutor: Philip Bralsford CEng MIMMM MWeldI DipMet MMet MBA

Philip is a Chartered Engineer with professional accreditation in Metallurgy, Materials Engineering and Welding, Lead Auditor qualifications & decades of industry experience.

With a distinguished academic background, including a Diploma in Metallurgy (DipMet) with Distinction and Master of Metallurgy (MMet) in Advanced Metallurgy from the University of Sheffield, his career has been marked by significant contributions to leading engineering firms such as British Steel, Sheffield Forgemasters and Corus, where he has played a pivotal role in research, product development, quality control and the implementation of innovative solutions.

Philip's commitment to excellence is further evidenced by his accreditations from professional bodies including Chartered Engineer (CEng), professional Member of The Institute of Materials (MIMMM) and professional Member of the The Welding Institute (MWeldI.)

Philip has also designed and implemented comprehensive training programmes focusing on metallurgical techniques, materials materials science & engineering, welding technology, corrosion engineering and quality management.  He has also authored a range of industry-leading publications 'Engineering Materials Handbooks.'

Philip has provided training for a number of high-profile clients & professional bodies, including: Arcelor Mittal, The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), UKRI - Science & Technology Facilities Council, The Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (ICME), TAQA Bratani, Building Research Establishment (BRE), Mclaren Automotive, Moog Aircraft Group, J & D Pierce Contracts Ltd, Bourne Group Ltd, Mueller Europe, TEi Ltd, Ultra Maritime, William Cook Cast Products, WQiC, Voestalpine Bohler Welding & RWE Generation UK PLC.

Philip has received excellent feedback from the clients & candidates who have undertaken his training. For some of their comments see below:

'I`d like to say a big thank you for putting together a course that not only has excellent reference books to work from, but also enabled me to study when I had time. I`m sure the books will be put to good use in the future.'

'Our Engineers have found the course and its subject material very informative and helpful as two engineers relatively new to welding. They have also found the material very well presented and easy to follow.'

'It's been done in a way that's understandable for people who already have some knowledge and for those who don't, It's learnable and understandable.'

'I think there is very little or almost nothing to improve, as the course is very well designed, built and the Tutor is very experienced.'

'Thank you Philip for your time. I've enjoyed the course a lot and after meeting with you, I've learnt even more about the role of an RWC. Thank you again for your feedback on where we need to be and I will continue to make a great effort to learn more.'

‘I felt the course material was invaluable. I came away with a complete understanding simply because it was written by somebody who clearly understood their subject area. I look forward to studying again with Philip.’