At a time when science and innovation redefine how we live and work, one school is positioning itself at the front of the shift: University of Salford’s School of Science, Engineering, and Environment. The school thrives at the intersection of technology and real-world impact. Studying here means tackling urgent challenges, from improving healthcare systems to reducing urban noise. Using cutting-edge research and industry experience, lecturers guide students to success.
Award-winning research driving real world solutions
Earlier this year, two AI researchers at Salford developed a machine learning model capable of detecting damp and mould, issues that pose serious health risks like respiratory infections, allergies, eczema, and bronchitis, especially among vulnerable populations. Their work led to an IntelOptic-powered app that helps local councils identify signs of housing disrepair with 76% accuracy. The tool is already transforming inspections, saving time, and improving living conditions for many UK residents.
This project is one of hundreds at Salford making an impact. Recently, the University of Salford was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education — the highest national honour in education — for its research in sustainable building design and fuel poverty, the latest in a long list of honours.
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Students are taught in the SEE building, which features cutting-edge facilities and research equipment across 15,300 square metres. Source: University of Salford
Why Salford’s graduates are so employable
Salford’s postgraduate programmes are designed to produce graduates who can immediately add value in technical roles. The MSc Data Science for example, develops analytical knowledge and applied programming skills, a combination needed by a wide range of sectors, from healthcare to commerce, and the built environment. In one year, you’ll learn to strategise with messy data and find solutions to real-world problems. The programme is 100% practical, where you’ll analyse data and present evidence-based strategies.
Siddhant Kaushal, who joined the programme after building a software engineering career in India, credits Salford’s industry-aligned teaching and location for his rapid career progression. “The course curriculum was very well designed. We were taught the technical competencies needed to be a successful data scientist on software such as Tableau, Power BI, and Databricks,” he says. He was also taught soft skills, such as how to explain findings to non-technical stakeholders, which he often uses in his current role.
In fact, Kaushal managed to secure five job offers before graduation — and today, he’s working for GB Group PLC as a senior data scientist. “Salford is in a prime location close to Manchester, which is known as a technical hub, so I knew there would be plenty of opportunities available once I had completed my course,” he says.
Whether you’re pursuing an MSc in Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Advanced Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or Cyber Security, Threat Intelligence or Forensics, you’ll always gain an edge. With curricula designed in partnership with industry and accreditations by the Royal Aeronautical Society and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, these programmes directly meet the demands of today’s employers. To further ensure this, the university leads an industrial liaison committee, working with companies like AutoTrader and FastWebMedia to inform course content.
Graduates from Salford’s MSc Aerospace Engineering now work at leading companies including Airbus, BAE Systems, Roll-Royce, Thales, and Royal Air Force. Source: University of Salford
Professional experience alongside your degree
Beyond the programme design, students at Salford are encouraged to take every opportunity to enhance their employability through initiatives such as internships, part-time jobs, volunteering and dedicated careers support for international students, such as sessions on business etiquette in the UK.
Kolawole Abolarin was in the midst of another university’s master’s programme when a friend had suggested he look at Salford. After doing his own research into the MSc Cyber Security, Threat Intelligence and Forensics programme, talking to the international team, he knew he’d found the right place to start anew. “The things which drew me to Salford were the industry experience combined with academics, the expert tutors, the flexible payment plan, student life and the closeness to Manchester city centre,” he says.
During his degree, Abolarin took advantage of Salford’s location in one of the UK’s top digital cities and completed an internship with Cyblack UK. “This gave me an opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience which has been invaluable for my professional development,” he says. He also worked part-time as a Student Web Assistant for the University of Salford’s web team and volunteering with GiveItAGo Football Sessions, helping to strengthen his CV further.
After graduating, he went on to work at the same organisation as where he completed his internship, Cyblack UK, as a Cyber Security Analyst. His proudest achievement to date is co-founding Cyberaware, a social intervention scheme aimed at increasing cybersecurity awareness among vulnerable groups. “Now that it has been selected for incubation [by the UK government through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology], I am excited to see what the future holds, and I can grow the project to reach more people,” he says.
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