As a student of metallurgy, you must have a passion for understanding the chemical principles behind the productions of metal s. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, then a metallurgy course may be perfect for you.

It is also important for those studying metallurgy to have an interest in maths and physics as well as chemistry as all of these subjects are key to the completion of the course.

Metallurgy is also a very demanding course. While students are expected to attend lectures and practical demonstrations, they will also be expected to conduct research during non-contact hours. Those who are hard-working, independently motivated students with these traits tend to be successful throughout the programme of study.

The majority of undergraduates who choose to study metallurgy do so with the intentions of working as a metallurgical engineer involved in the research and development of extracting metal from minerals. The average entry level salary for an entry level metallurgy engineer is £20,000 - £25,000, but there is plenty of scope for career progression. Those with such a degree will potentially find themselves in roles within manufacturing environments or as lab-based research assistants.

As with many industries there is a lot of potential for graduates with strong degrees to further their career and earn salaries of a significant size. Those who advance to senior positions or become consultant engineers can earn up to £60,000

However, pursuing a career in engineering is not compulsory for those with a Metallurgy degree. As part of the programme, students acquire skills in data analysis alongside IT skills which makes them incredible employable in other fields such as journalism, banking, finance and data analysis. Similarly there is also the option to pursue post-graduate study or train in other sectors such as law or teaching.

Metallurgy courses at a reputable establishment often request high grades, with the majority of Universities expecting their applicants to have A-levels or equivalent qualifications in Maths and Science. The degree will build upon your knowledge of maths and science, so your grades will be important; whichever university you decide to attend.

There are a number of under-graduate and post-graduate courses available for those wishing to study metallurgy. Those wishing to study an undergraduate course, which will last a minimum of three years, should have at least 3 A-levels, or equivilent in science or maths based subjects. Those wishing to study at post-graduate level should have already received a 2:1 honours qualification in a related subject

Metallurgy students are also expected to attend regular lectures and on occasion sit examinations and as such it is important that all students are fluent in English. If English is not your native language, then you will be required to score a minimum of 6.0 on an IELTS test before starting any course of study.

Most courses assess their students through the setting of personal projects as well as expecting their students to become involved in work placement schemes through the University. Most universities will have links with Civil Engineering companies and will be able to assist in the finding of placements.

Irrespective of which course you decide to study, the location of the university itself should also be taken into consideration. Meeting new people is a huge part of student life and it is vital that you make the most of your university experience as you will be studying for a minimum of a year. You need to choose somewhere you will thrive both socially and intellectually.

You should always look at the entry requirements and your own finances before submitting an application to your university of choice. Do you have the right grades for entry? Are the fees manageable along with the cost of living? If you’re still struggling to secure funding there are a number of options available to you including scholarships and bursaries.

The most important thing to consider when you’re deciding where to study is the module options available at each of the universities, and the skill-sets of the lecturers. Although many of the core degree modules are similar between courses, different universities will offer a number of different optional modules. If you already have an idea regarding which area of study you are interested in specialising in, it is worth investigating whether your university of choice offers you module choices that will benefit your post-graduate career.