MRes in Sustainable Materials and the Environment

Our Master of Research (MRes) degree in Sustainable Materials and the Environment is for highly motivated, enthusiastic students interested in research in this area.

This MRes allows you to pursue a research project in an area of your choosing under the direction of internationally recognised researchers in the School of Chemistry or Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork.

The MRes in Sustainable Materials and the Environment is a full-time course running over 12 months from the date of first registration. Applications will be accepted for a start date in September. The course consists of (a) a major research thesis and (b) taught modules including sustainable materials and environmental chemistry and transferable skills, with an emphasis on scientific writing, oral presentations, and general research skills.

The subject of your research project can be drawn from the range of staff expertise in sustainable materials and environmental chemistry disciplines in the School of Chemistry or Tyndall National Institute.

Our students undertake a total workload equivalent to 90 credits over the 12-month course, the principal element of which is the completion of a major research thesis of approximately 25,000 words. In parallel, students must choose and pass taught modules to the value of 20 credits.

Applicants must have a second-class honours degree (minimum H2.1 or equivalent) in Chemistry, Material Science, Materials Chemistry, or Physics. You must be approved by the MRes coordinator and course team, including the Head of the School of Chemistry.

The number of places is limited and decisions on entry to the course will be made based on the applicant’s performance in their primary degree and interview according to the following criteria: academic qualifications, research experience and focus, scientific understanding, personal statement, and strong recommendations from two academic referees.

Duolingo English Test: DET 120 (with a minimum score of 110 in each individual section)

IELTS: 6.5 Overall; 6.0 Individual Skills (academic version)

TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall; Listening 20; Reading 19; Speaking 21; Writing 20

Cambridge Examinations:

C2 Proficiency
C1 Advanced
B2 First

176 overall with no less than 169 in each element of the test

Pearson PTE: Minimum score of 63 with no section score below 59