Material Science is the study of the chemical properties of different materials like glass, alloy, rubber, ceramics etc. Understanding these properties and manipulating them will help in developing better and tougher materials.
Materials Science Courses also deals with the creation of new materials on the basis of different engineering requirements.
Application of said work in Material Science Course has been observed in Energy, Nanotechnology, Manufacturing, Biotechnology etc.
In India, aspirants can choose to learn about the subject through different Material Science courses like certificates, diplomas, PG diplomas, bachelors, masters and doctorate level courses.
Material Science Courses: Highlights
The highlights for Material Science Courses are as below.
| Type of Courses |
|
| Duration |
|
| Eligibility |
|
| Average Fees |
|
| Online Courses | Available |
| Types of Online Courses | Certificates and diplomas |
| Top Job Prospects | Material Scientist, Material Science Engineer, Research Associate, Materials and Corrosion Engineer, Educator, Biomaterial Scientist etc. |
| Average Salary |
|
Certificate Material Science Courses
Certificate courses are small duration, fast-tracked courses. These courses are perfect for candidates who do not have a lot of time on their hands.
- Certificate Material Science courses are delivered online and offline modes.
- The duration of certificate courses is between a few hours to 6 months.
- The average starting salary of certificate holders is between INR 2 to 6 LPA.
Online Certificates Material Science Courses
In the online mode, the following certifications are the best.
| Certificate Name | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know | UC Davis, Coursera | 9 hours | Free Enrolment |
| Structure of Materials | MIT, edX | 16 weeks | Free/INR 10,918 for a certificate |
| Learn Molecular Dynamics from Scratch | Udemy | 52 mins | INR 1,280 |
| Materials Science and material processing, part 1 | Udemy | 3 hours 15 mins | INR 8,640 |
| Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading | Georgia Tech, Coursera | 18 hours | Free Enrolment |
Offline Certificates Material Science Courses
In the offline mode, the following certificate course in Material Science is available.
| Certificate Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Course in Statistical Methods | Banaras Hindu University | INR 15,000 | 1 year |
| Certificate Course in Polymers Chemistry and Processing | Mumbai University | INR 5,000 | 1 year |
How are Admission in Certificate Programs of Material Science Courses Done?
All certificate courses admit students on a merit basis.
- Online and offline courses do not need entrance examination scores for admission.
- Applicants need to be either class 10th or 12th pass.
- A minimum aggregate score of 50% and above is sufficient for admission.
Colleges offering Certificate Material Science Courses
NIRF’s Overall list had the following ranks for offline courses.
| NIRF Overall Rankings | Institute Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi |
| 95 | Mumbai University | Mumbai |
Diploma and PG Diploma Material Science Courses
Diploma and PG diploma courses are similar in terms of syllabus but differ in eligibility criteria.
- Both forms of courses range in duration from 1 to 2 years.
- Specializations for diploma and PG diploma courses are Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, Nanotechnology etc.
- The average starting salary for diploma and PG diploma courses is INR 3 to 7 LPA.
Top Diploma Material Science Courses
The best diploma Material Science courses are as below.
| Diploma Course Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma Engineering | Jamia Millia Islamia | INR 7,200 | 1 year |
| Diploma Course in Industrial Chemistry | Savitribai Phule Pune University | INR 11,700 | 1 year |
Top PG Diploma Material Science Courses
In India, the following PG diploma Material Science courses are available.
| PG Diploma Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced P.G. Diploma in Nanotechnology | Aligarh Muslim University | - | 2 years |
How are Admission in Diploma and PG Diploma Material Science Courses Done?
Admission to diploma and PG diploma courses are done on a merit basis.
- There is no requirement to submit an entrance exam score.
- Eligibility criteria are class 10th or 12th pass from a recognized board of education for a diploma course.
- PG diploma courses require applicants to possess a bachelor's degree.
Top Colleges for Diploma and PG Diploma Material Science Courses
Colleges offering Diploma Material Science Courses
Diploma courses had the following ranks in NIRF’s Overall list.
| NIRF Overall Rankings | Institute Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi |
| 19 | Savitribai Phule Pune University | Pune |
Colleges offering PG Diploma Material Science Courses
NIRf’s Engineering list has the following ranks.
| NIRF Engineering Rankings | Institute Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh |
Bachelor Material Science Courses
At the bachelor's level, Engineering programmes deliver specialisation in Material Science, Metallurgy and other related fields.
- The duration of Engineering bachelors courses is 4 years.
- Eligibility criteria are class 12th pass from Science stream and securing rank in the entrance examination.
- The average starting salary of bachelor's degree holders is between INR 4 to 8 LPA.
Top Undergraduate (UG) Material Science Courses
The following universities with Engineering departments have Material Sciences courses.
| Bachelor Course Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Tech. Material Science | IIT Madras IIT Delhi NIT Tiruchirappalli NIT Rourkela Malviya National Institute of Technology | INR 75,116 | 4 years |
| B.Tech in Ceramics and Composites | IIT Bombay | INR 2.11 LPA | 4 years |
| B.E. Materials Science | Anna University | INR 55,000 | 4 years |
| B.Tech Metallurgy and Materials Engineering | VNIT Nagpur | INR 1.49 LPA | 4 years |
| B.E. Metallurgical Engineering | PSG College of Technology | INR 87,000 | 4 years |
How are Admission in Bachelor Material Science Courses Done?
Bachelor's degree in Material Science conducts admissions through entrance examinations and a counseling round.
- Candidates need to have completed class 12th from the Science stream.
- A minimum aggregate score of 60% is required to qualify for admission.
- Entrance exam scores required for admissions are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, WBJEE, BITSAT etc among others.
Colleges offering Bachelor Material Science Courses
NIRF’s Engineering rankings featured the following ranks for above mentioned bachelor's degree programmes.
| NIRF Engineering Ranking | Institute Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IIT Madras | Chennai |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | New Delhi |
| 3 | IIT Bombay | Mumbai |
| 9 | NIT Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli |
| 14 | Anna University | Chennai |
| 16 | NIT Rourkela | Rourkela |
| 27 | VNIT Nagpur | Nagpur |
| 35 | Malviya National Institute of Technology | Jaipur |
| 49 | PSG College of Technology | Coimbatore |
Master Material Science Courses
Postgraduate level Engineering degrees offer Material Science specialisations in India.
- One can earn M.Tech., M.E. and M.Sc. Degree with their programme.
- The duration of master's courses is 2 years.
- Admissions are through entrance examinations and personal interviews.
- The average starting salary of master level courses is INR 6 to 10 LPA.
Top Postgraduate (PG) Material Science Courses
The following universities offer postgraduate courses in Material Science.
| PG Course Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Tech Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | IIT Madras NIT Tiruchirappalli NIT Rourkela Amrita School of Engineering IIST | INR 2.12 LPA | 2 years |
| M.Tech Polymer Science and Technology | IIT Delhi | INR 52,900 | 2 years |
| M.Tech in Corrosion Science | IIT Bombay | INR 32,000 | 2 years |
| M.Tech NanoScience and Technology | Jadavpur University Visvesvaraya Technological University | INR 4,800 | 2 years |
| M.Sc. Materials Technology | Thapar Institute of Technology | INR 1.82 LPA | 2 years |
How are Admission in Master Material Science Courses Done?
Masters level courses admit students through national and university level entrance examinations.
- Candidates need to have a bachelor's Engineering degree in the same field or a related field.
- National level entrance examinations like GATE and JEE Advanced are asked for admission.
- After the qualifying round, personal interviews and group discussions are held.
Colleges offering Master Material Science Course
The above mentioned master's Material Science courses had the following ranks in NIRF’s list.
| NIRF Engineering Ranking | Institute Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IIT Madras | Chennai |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | New Delhi |
| 3 | IIT Bombay | Mumbai |
| 9 | NIT Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli |
| 16 | NIT Rourkela | Rourkela |
| 17 | Jadavpur University | Kolkata |
| 20 | Amrita School of Engineering | Amritapuri |
| 29 | Thapar Institute of Technology | Patiala |
| 33 | IIST | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 55 | Visvesvaraya Technological University | Belgaum |
Doctorate Material Science Courses
Doctorate level courses are research-based programmes. They are the highest level of degree one can earn in India.
- One can either work towards earning a Ph.D. or MS (Research) or M.Phil.
- Specializations for research work range from Material Science, Metallurgy to Polymer Science and Nanotechnology.
- Admissions are done through entrance examinations and personal interviews.
- The average salary for doctorate degree holders, in the beginning, is INR 7 to 12 LPA.
Top PhD Material Science Courses
The following universities in India offer doctorate level courses in Material Science.
| Doctorate Course Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. Material Science | IIT Madras NIT Rourkela Thiagarajar College of Engineering | INR 19,670 | 3 years |
| M.S. (Research) Material Science and Engineering | IIT Delhi Jaypee Institute of Information Technology | INR 52,900 | 3 years |
| Ph.D. Polymer Science | Amity University Noida | INR 1 LPA | 3 years |
| Ph.D. Nano-Structured materials | Malaviya National Institute of Technology Delhi Technological University | INR 71,065 | 3 years |
| Ph.D. Metallurgical Engineering | PSG College of Technology | INR 14,000 | 3 years |
How are Admission in Doctorate Material Science Courses Done?
Admission to doctorate level courses is done through entrance examinations and personal interviews.
- Popularly asked for entrance exam scores are UGC NET, CSIR UGC NET, GATE and IIT JAM.
- Candidates need to possess a master's degree in the same field and relevant work experience.
- Personal interviews are held after the qualifying round where research proposals are to be submitted.
Colleges offering Doctorate Material Science Courses
NIRF’s Best Engineering colleges ranking list featured the following ranks for the above universities.
| NIRF Engineering Ranking | Institute Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IIT Madras | Chennai |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | New Delhi |
| 16 | NIT Rourkela | Rourkela |
| 32 | Amity University Noida | Gautam Budh Nagar |
| 35 | Malaviya National Institute of Technology | Jaipur |
| 36 | Delhi Technological University | New Delhi |
| 49 | PSG College of Technology | Coimbatore |
| 64 | Thiagarajar College of Engineering | Madurai |
| 96 | Jaypee Institute of Information Technology | Noida |
What are the Top Job Options after Material Science Courses?
Material Science careers are highly coveted and well paid right from the start. The most popular job profiles Material Science graduates can work as along with the average starting salary of each job profile are as follows.
Material Scientist
Material Scientists are researchers who analyse the chemical properties of different materials. They work with both man-made and natural materials. Their goal is to study and identify new features and facts to be further used in R&D.
Starting Salary: INR 4.52 LPA
Skills Required
- Analytical skills
- Sound research skills
- IT proficient
- Business acumen
Material Science Engineer
Material Science Engineers are hired to work on the research and development of materials. They help create better, tough and advanced products. They take part in all the parts of material production.
Starting Salary: INR 4.40 LPA
Skills Required
- Confidence
- Leadership skills
- Organized work style
- Interpersonal skills
Research Associate
Research Associates work in the research department and take part in planning, organizing and conducting the entire research. They are hired to gather data, analyse it and prepare reports. Depending on the findings future decisions are taken.
Starting Salary: INR 3.20 LPA
Skills Required
- Technical skills
- Statistical skills
- Critical thinking abilities
- Attention to detail
Materials and Corrosion Engineer
The Materials and Corrosion Engineer is responsible for managing and taking care of the corroding of materials. They need to make sure that the materials are not harmed during transport and harsh weather conditions. Candidates also need in-depth knowledge of materials.
Starting Salary: INR 5.50 LPA
Skills Required
- Critical thinking
- Strong listening skills
- Strong speaker
- Operation analysis skills
Professor
A more popular career choice for all is an educator or a professor. Jobs are open at top universities and colleges in the Engineering department. Pay is quite stable and job growth to higher positions is also impressive.
Starting Salary: INR 4.79 LPA
Skills Required
- Strong communication skills
- Patient
- Enthusiastic about work
- Flexible and creative

What Skills are Required in Material Science Courses?
In any field, candidates with extra skills to add to their degree certificate, tend to stand out. For Material Science course graduates, the following extra skills can be picked up during the free time.
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a part of Material Science that concentrates on studying the chemical composition of metals. Metallurgists study how the physical structure, they behave, how ores and alloys can be made etc.
Top Metallurgy Courses
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials Science: Physical Metallurgy 2 | Udemy | 50 mins | INR 1,280 |
| Industrial Metallurgy | Udemy | 2.5 hours | INR 1,280 |
| Metallurgy and Corrosion Engineering for AIM/RBI | Udemy | 32 hours | INR 12,800 |
Metallurgy Course Syllabus
| What is Metallurgy? | Occurrence of metals |
| Extraction of elements | Concentration of ore |
| Converting concentrated ore to metal oxide | Reduction |
| Purification of crude metal | Occurrence, uses and alloys of Iron |
Metallurgy Job Profiles
- Metallurgist
- Metallurgical Engineer
- Production Manager
- Metallurgy Manager
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the study of the application of heat on different materials and systems and studying what the reaction is. Thermodynamics is used in Material Science to study how the composition of materials is changed when the heat is applied to them.
Top Thermodynamics Courses
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermodynamics for Engineering Students | Udemy | 19 hours 19 mins | INR 8,640 |
| Basics of thermodynamics | Novosibirsk State University, Coursera | 7 hours | Free enrolment |
| Thermodynamics in Energy Engineering | Hanyang University, FutureLearn | 6 weeks | Free |
Thermodynamics Course Syllabus
| Temperature and thermal equilibrium | The first law of thermodynamics |
| The second law of thermodynamics | Real gases and phase transitions |
| Heat Transfer | Heat radiation |
| Heat conductivity of materials | Blackbody radiation |
Thermodynamics Job Profiles
- Thermodynamic Engineer
- Thermodynamic Physicist
- Civil Engineer
- Structural Engineer
Mechanics
Mechanics refers to how bodies react under the application of force including while at rest. Mechanics studies topics like gravity, electricity, and magnetism to better understand how different forces are used.
Top Mechanics Courses
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering | Udemy | 2.14 hours | INR 4,800 |
| Introduction to Mechanics Specialization | Rice University, Coursera | 3 months | Free Enrolment |
| Cracking Mechanics: Further Maths for Engineers | University of Bristol, FutureLearn | 6 weeks | INR 14,289 for one year |
Mechanics Course Syllabus
| Engineering Mathematics | Engineering Solid Mechanics |
| SI Units | Free body diagrams and moments |
| Metric Prefixes | Force, stress, and strain |
| Rearranging equations | Young’s modulus and Poisson's ratio |
Mechanics Job Profiles
- Mechanical Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Automation Engineer
Soft Skills
Soft skills like communication skills, listening skills, leadership etc are skills required at all jobs. For some, they are born with them. For others, there are online courses dedicated to teaching such soft skills.
Top Soft Skills Courses
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups | University of Colorado Boulder, Coursera | 10 hours | Free Enrolment |
| MicroMasters Program in Humanities & Soft Skills | Tecnológico de Monterrey, edX | 6 months | INR 65,175 |
| Soft Skills: The 11 Essential Career Soft Skills | Udemy | 31.15 hours | INR 8,640 |
| Communication and Interpersonal Skills at Work | University of Leeds, Institute of Coding, FutureLearn | 2 weeks | Free |
Soft Skills Course Syllabus
| Critical thinking | Effective communication |
| Leadership focused on human flourishing | Negotiation skills |
| Effective communication | Negotiation strategies and styles |
| Leadership | Organizational behaviour |
Soft Skills Job Profiles
- Educator
- Manager
- Business Development Executive
- Sales Professionals
Material Science Courses Online Fees and Rating Comparison
The following table provides details of all online courses dedicated to Material Science and other related skills.
| Course | Provider | Duration | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know | UC Davis, Coursera | 9 hours | 4.7 |
| Structure of Materials | MIT, edX | 16 weeks | - |
| Learn Molecular Dynamics from Scratch | Udemy | 52 mins | 4.4 |
| Materials Science and material processing, part 1 | Udemy | 3 hours 15 mins | 4.7 |
| Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading | Georgia Tech, Coursera | 18 hours | 4.8 |
| Materials Science: Physical Metallurgy 2 | Udemy | 50 mins | 3.7 |
| Thermodynamics for Engineering Students | Udemy | 19 hours 19 mins | 4.7 |
| Mechanics/Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering | Udemy | 2.14 hours | 4.6 |
| Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups | University of Colorado Boulder, Coursera | 10 hours | 4.7 |
Comparison of Online Platforms offering Material Science Courses
Among all the online education platforms, only two are popular among students. Both of them have been compared below.
| Parameters | Udemy | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Name | Materials Science and material processing, part 1 | Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know |
| Fees | INR 8,640 | Free Enrolment |
| Student Rating | 4.7 | 4.8 |
| Enrolment | 97 | 72,001 |
| Duration | 3 hours 15 mins | 9 hours |
| Created by | Udemy | UC Davis |
Material Science Courses: FAQs
Ques. Can I learn Material Science courses Online?
Ans. Yes. There are certificate and diploma courses in different specialisations that one can learn online.
Ques. Which is the best Material ScienceFree Online Course in India?
Ans. While there are a number of online education platforms, the top five are as below.
- Udemy
- Coursera
- Upgrad
- FutureLearn
- edX
Ques. What is the duration of a Material Science Course?
Ans. The duration of certificate courses is a few hours while bachelors and masters courses take 4 years and 2 years respectively.
Ques. How much does it cost to do a Material Science course?
Ans. The cost to pursue Material Science courses varies from course to course. Certificate courses are often free while the highest fee is charged at INR 2.26 lac for a bachelor's course.
Ques. Should I go for a Material Science weekend course or should I look for a job in the same field and learn from the experience?
Ans. Material Science is a technical field that requires learning and practicing from professionals beforehand. It is recommended to pursue a diploma or a full-time course beforehand.
Ques. Is it worth pursuing a Material Science course?
Ans. Yes. Material Science courses are in demand among Engineering aspirants. Job growth is on the rise and salary rise is also guaranteed.
Ques. What is the average salary after completing a Material Science course?
Ans. The highest average salary, for Material Science graduates, is earned by a Materials and Corrosion Engineer at INR 5.50 LPA.
Ques. Do I get a scholarship to pursue Material Science certifications?
Ans. Yes. Some online course providers like Coursera have scholarships. Other websites provide regular discounts on their course fee.







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