Material Science
Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)A research-focused master's combining advanced materials science coursework with laboratory research across metals, ceramics, semiconductors and emerging materials.
Related pathways
Study Level
Master's Degree
Study Mode
On Campus
Duration
1 to 2 years full-time
Programme Overview
MIT's Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering is a research-based graduate programme providing advanced education in the scientific principles, engineering behaviour and technological applications of materials.
Students complete graduate coursework together with laboratory research and an original master's thesis with significant materials-related content.
The degree requires 66 graduate-level units, including at least 42 units in Materials Science and Engineering. Students also complete foundational study in materials equilibrium and kinetic processes or approved equivalents.
Research opportunities span areas such as metals, ceramics, semiconductors, soft matter, computational materials, device fabrication, synthesis and processing, energy materials and advanced manufacturing.
The programme prepares students for advanced materials engineering, research and technology-development roles, although direct admission to the terminal master's programme is uncommon because MIT DMSE is primarily doctoral-focused.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold, or complete before enrolment, a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
Applicants should have strong preparation in engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry or another closely related quantitative discipline.
MIT DMSE expects suitable undergraduate preparation in materials fundamentals, including thermodynamics and kinetics.
Applicants without sufficient prior study in these areas are expected to have knowledge equivalent to MIT coursework in structure of materials, thermodynamics of materials and microstructural evolution.
The application requires:
Academic transcripts
Three recommendation letters
Research fields of interest
Research experience
Relevant work or internship experience
Awards and honours
Short application essays
GRE scores are not accepted by MIT DMSE for the current admissions process.
Admission is highly competitive, and direct admission to the terminal Master of Science programme is uncommon.
English-Language Requirements
IELTS Academic:
Minimum overall score 7.0
TOEFL iBT:
Minimum score 100
TOEFL PBT:
Minimum score 600
Applicants may qualify for an English-language test waiver if they meet MIT DMSE's published exemption criteria.
Possible exemption situations include completing a degree at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction or completing qualifying prior education in English.
International students may also be required to take MIT's English Evaluation Test after admission unless they qualify for an exemption.
Career Outcomes
Scholarship Information
MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers several forms of graduate financial support. Research Assistantships Full-time graduate students may receive Research Assistantships while working on faculty-supervised research projects. Research appointments can provide tuition support, a graduate stipend and applicable benefits. Teaching Assistantships A limited number of Teaching Assistantships are available each semester for full-time graduate students. Teaching assistants support undergraduate and graduate teaching while receiving graduate financial support. DMSE Fellowships MIT DMSE has a limited number of departmental graduate fellowships, many of which are awarded to first-year graduate students. These fellowships generally include a stipend together with a tuition award. External Fellowships Students are encouraged to apply for external government, foundation and industry fellowships. International students may also receive support from eligible home-country governments, companies or external scholarship organisations. Funding circumstances vary between students and should not be assumed to be guaranteed as part of admission.