How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- materials engineering
- materials science or technology
- applied chemistry
- applied physics
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, including a science
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
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College
You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need for this job. Courses include:
- laboratory technical skills
- engineering
- physics or chemistry
- applied science
- T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
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Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:
- Engineering and Manufacturing Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
- Non-destructive Testing (NDT) Operator Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Non-destructive Technologies Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Composites Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Polymer Processing Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Foundation apprenticeship
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- are in care or have been in care
- are in prison or have been in prison
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Work
You could start as a lab assistant or trainee technician in a testing facility and train while you work to qualify.
Employers will expect you to have 4 or 5 GCSEs, including maths, English and a science, preferably physics or chemistry.
Some may want you to have A levels or equivalent qualifications like applied science.
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Career tips
Materials technicians work in lots of different industries.
For example, in telecommunications, you might be part of a research and development team, investigating how rare earth elements could enhance smartphone features, such as touchscreens, semiconductors and polarising camera lenses.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in materials science and engineering from: