Materials Engineering

Overview

Materials engineers invent, design, and select materials for products, processes, and services. They do this based on an in-depth understanding of the interrelationship between materials processing, generated internal material structures and resulting mechanical and physical properties.

Why Materials Engineering at KU Leuven?

• The Department of Materials Engineering (MTM) is a world player in design, characterisation, modelling and development of new materials. Close links with imec and KU Leuven's biomedical group strengthen the programme in addressing upcoming application domains. MTM is strongly involved in powder processing of metals and ceramics, including 3D printing.

• MTM is one of the few material departments where both structural composites and metals are strongly represented in both research and teaching.

• You mingle with fellow-students and assistants, (68% non-Belgian), lecturers (26% non-Belgian) from around the globe. In terms of outgoing mobility, participation in the Erasmus+ programme is encouraged for the Belgian students. 

Career

Prominent technical industries such as the automotive, aerospace, energy, microelectronics, and chemical industries and emerging sectors such as nanotechnology, biomaterials and recycling are keen to hire qualified and talented materials engineers. Materials engineers are prepared for work as:

• process engineers

• materials or product developers

• design specialists

• quality control engineers

• consultants

Graduates with an interest in research can apply for an R&D position, or start a PhD. Some alumni have gone on with starting their own successful companies.