Access NPL’s Fundamentals of Metrology e-Learning Courses with Royce
The Royce Training Team is providing free access to two NPL e-learning modules for first-year Materials PhD Researchers. Access to the courses will help to increase your knowledge of metrology and measurement science relevant to materials.
Home / Student Engagement / NPL e-Learning Funding
About the Scheme
The Henry Royce Institute is offering funded access to two key e-learning modules from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). First-year PhD researchers studying materials science or related disciplines can apply for free access by completing the application form before 31 March 2026.
Through the Royce scheme, applicants can enrol in two courses from NPL’s e-Learning platform: Introduction to Measurement and Metrology and Introduction to Measurement Uncertainty. Together, these courses provide a strong foundation in measurement science, equipping early-career researchers with essential skills for conducting high-quality, reliable research in materials science.
Both courses are delivered online through NPL’s training platform, allowing participants to complete the learning flexibly alongside their research.
WHY APPLY?
Accurate measurement underpins high-quality research in materials science, supporting reproducibility, validation of theoretical models, and innovation. Developing a strong understanding of metrology will help researchers confidently compare data, assess uncertainty, and optimise experimental design; skills that are critical for successful PhD research and valuable for future careers in research and industry.
Metrology is central to many areas of materials science, including additive manufacturing, battery technologies, nanotechnology, and biomaterials.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
To apply for Royce-funded access to NPL’s e-Learning courses, applicants must:
-
Be based at a UK institution
-
Be studying towards a PhD in materials science or a closely related field
-
Preferably be in the first year of their PhD
Introduction to Measurement and Metrology
ABOUT THE COURSE
We are surrounded by measurement every day, but many of us take it for granted or do not appreciate the mechanisms that oversee measurement in industry and society. This e-learning course explores the concept of measurement and the scientific field dedicated to its application – metrology!
It provides practical workplace guidance and exposes learners to the processes required to conduct high-quality everyday measurements in science and industry.
This course consists of four modules:
Module 1: Measurement and metrology
Module 2: Measurement uncertainty
Module 3: The SI units
Module 4: Calibration and traceability
Learners who successfully complete the course and assessment will receive an NPL Certificate of Completion.
Introduction to Measurement Uncertainty
ABOUT THE COURSE
You might think that well-made measuring instruments should give you the right answers, but the ‘true value’ of a measurement is something you cannot obtain.
So for every measurement — however good — there is always some doubt about the measured value. The technical term for the size of this margin of doubt is ‘measurement uncertainty’.
This course has been designed to give you an understanding of measurement uncertainty in a visual way without any equations. We will discuss sources of uncertainty, standard deviation, standard uncertainty, expanded uncertainty and more. This course consists of three modules:
- Module 1: Defining measurement uncertainty
- Module 2: Concepts behind uncertainty calculations
- Module 3: Making decisions based on measurement
Learners who successfully complete the course and assessment will receive an NPL Certificate of Completion.
APPLY FOR SUPPORT
Places are limited and will be awarded to students who clearly demonstrate the relevance of metrology to their research. We strongly encourage early registration through the form provided below, which will remain open until 23:59 (UTC+1) on Monday 31 March 2026.
