MSc in
MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering University of Birmingham - College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Introduction
Chemical engineering is dynamic and evolving, and today extends far beyond its roots in oil and gas processing. It provides solutions to problems facing many manufacturing sectors, such as food, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, biotechnology, energy and fast-moving consumer goods.
Our Advanced Chemical Engineering Masters programme focuses on advanced chemical engineering topics that inform the modern process engineering industry. Our three major research areas – formulation engineering, energy, and healthcare technology – guide the programme.
We explore concepts and processes that are applicable to multiple sectors, such as food, fuel, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries. Our graduates are well prepared for a career in a variety of industries and have an opportunity to capitalise on the growing global demand for chemical engineers.
Our core modules will give you an advanced understanding of advanced chemical engineering principles and concepts relevant to multiple application areas. The wide range of optional modules will allow you to develop expertise in specialist areas. We also offer pathways in bioprocessing, energy, formulation or healthcare technology that allow you to focus on a specific area, giving you a degree with a more specialised title.
The research project (MSc only) will allow you to undertake independent research with world-leading research teams within the school. Our graduates are well prepared for a career in a variety of industries and have an opportunity to capitalise on the growing global demand for chemical engineers in many sectors.
Why study Advanced Chemical Engineering Masters at Birmingham?
- In this course, we consider the important aspects of chemical engineering in the 21st century that address the issues of the design and development of key formulated products that will increase process efficiency, enable healthy lifestyles and allow clean use of energy. Such products include formulated foods, fuel cells, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
- Our themed optional modules enable you to specialise in areas of chemical and process engineering that interest you; from the production and formulation of pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products, formulation of structured food products, generation of bioproducts, clean energy including hydrogen fuel cells and thermal energy storage, and the business surrounding chemical and process engineering.
- Teaching is led by our world-leading research in chemical engineering, and during the research project students work within research groups on an original research project.
- Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. With over 35,000 students and 7,000 staff, today we are one of the world’s leading universities. Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people’s lives – a tradition that this programme proudly continues.
- Explore important aspects of modern chemical engineering, addressing the design and development of key formulated products, energy systems, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare technologies.
- Specialise in areas that interest you, from the formulation of structured food products to efficient energy systems, and the development of healthcare technologies, to the business surrounding chemical and process engineering.
- Benefit from our collaborations with world-class industry partners, and international, leading-edge engineering and science departments.
- The MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
Accredited degree
This Master's degree is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
The value of accreditation
IChemE accreditation provides benchmarking of academic programmes against high, internationally recognised standards. This is increasingly important as the globalisation of engineering products and services demand greater confidence by employers in the skills and professionalism of the engineers they recruit.
As well as this Advanced Chemical Engineering programme, there are also four pathways offering specialisation:
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Bioprocessing
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Energy
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Formulation
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Healthcare Technology
Research
Our mission is to carry out research of the highest academic quality, which is novel, challenging and relevant to users.
The School of Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is one of the three largest centres for the postgraduate education of chemical engineers in the UK. We have pioneered development and research in rapidly expanding new areas such as pharmaceuticals and bioproducts, food processing, hydrogen fuel cells and energy research, as well as having leading-edge groups in healthcare technologies
Research Themes
- Formulation Engineering
We are developing solutions to problems facing industries in the food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, fast-moving consumer goods and speciality products.
- Energy
Improving quality of life demands the supply of increasing amounts of energy and consumer chemicals, whilst at the same time, global warming has become a major cause for concern. The Energy research theme addresses the challenges of introducing the hydrogen economy to replace the current reliance on carbon-based fuels.
- Healthcare Technologies
Our experts are working together to advance new technologies and treatments that enable people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Admissions
Curriculum
Options
As well as this Advanced Chemical Engineering programme, there are also four pathways offering specialisation:
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Bioprocessing
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Energy
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Formulation
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Healthcare Technology
Modules
Introductory modules
If you have not taken a chemical engineering first degree, then you will take Process Engineering Fundamentals. Otherwise, you will take Bioscience for Graduates of other disciplines, which will give you the background you require in biological topics.
- Bioscience for Graduates of other disciplines - 10 credits
- Process Engineering Fundamentals - 10 credits
Core modules
- Applied Synthetic Biology - 10 credits
- Measurement, Sensors and Design of Experiments – 20 Credits
- Non-ideal materials – 20 credits
- Research Project (MSc only) - 60 credits
Optional modules – choose 60 credits
Modules from different themes can be combined within timetabling constraints. All modules are offered subject to sufficient enrolled students. All module descriptions are provisional and subject to minor change. Example optional are listed below:
Hydrogen Energy Theme
- Advanced Electrochemical Applications -10 credits
- Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology - 10 credits
- Introduction to Electrochemistry - 10 credits
- Techniques for Fuel Cell Characterisation - 10 credits
Food Engineering and Safety Theme
- Chemical Contamination of Food and Water - 10 credits
- Food Chain Security - 10 credits
- Food Structure for Performance - 10 credits
- Food Plant and Process - 10 credits
- Future Engineering of Food – 10 credits
- Sustainability in the Food Industry - 10 credits
Pharmaceutical Technology Theme
- Design and development of drug delivery systems - 10 credits
- From bench to market: the development of pharmaceutical drug products - 10 credits
- Plant design and manufacturing principles for (bio)pharmaceutical production - 10 credits
Healthcare Technology Theme
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing for Healthcare Applications - 10 credits
- Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare Technologies – 10 credits
- Advanced Therapeutic Medicine Products - 10 credits
- Frontiers in Tissue Engineering - 10 credits
- Medical Devices – 10 credits
- Sensor Systems in Medicine – 10 credits
Bioprocessing Theme
- Bioseparations - 20 credits
- Cell Factories - 20 credits
Business Studies Theme
- Business and Strategy Development - 10 credits
- Project Management (Business Strategy Delivery) - 10 credits
Energy Theme
- Energy Storage – 10 credits
- Energy Systems and Policy - 10 credits
- Energy Systems Design - 10 credits
- Energy Systems Modelling - 10 credits
- Renewable Energy Systems - 10 credits
Core Process Engineering Skills Theme
- Chemical NanoEngineering - 10 credits
- Explosion Science, Prevention and Protection - 10 credits
- Industry 4.0 and Big Data - 20 credits
- Minerals and Minerals Engineering - 10 credits
Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Scholarships and Funding
Postgraduate Loans (PGL) for Masters students
UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) looking to pursue a Master's programme in the UK can apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC).
The loan will be paid directly to you, into a UK bank account. It is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your own discretion.
Scholarships
Chemical Engineering PG Taught Entrance Scholarship
The School of Chemical Engineering is happy to be able to recognise and reward our top incoming students to celebrate their academic achievements before arriving as a student at the University of Birmingham.
The Chemical Engineering PGT Entrance Scholarship consists of a £1000 cash award during year 1 semester 1 for the students who meet the conditions below.
There are 10 awards available; 5 will be allocated to UK students for fees and 5 will be allocated to international students for fees.
We also offer a range of postgraduate scholarships for taught programmes and research opportunities to ensure the very best talent is nurtured and supported at the postgraduate level.
Program Tuition Fee
Gallery
Career Opportunities
There is a great demand for chemical engineers in the industry worldwide. This course gives you a professional basis for a career in a variety of industries.
Our Careers Network offers a range of events and support services designed to help you maximise your employability: from networking opportunities and career coaching workshops to our effective-careers-strategy toolkit and one-to-one guidance. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and advisers for each college and a dedicated careers website for international students. Further information is below.
University Careers Network
Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.
Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team sources exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.