MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 11,340 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students I International applicants will close 7 May 2024
** for UK students; £29,340 for international students
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 apply 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.
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 demands greater confidence by employers in the skills and professionalism of the engineers they recruit.
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
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.
Admissions
Curriculum
The MSc programme is a one-year full-time course or can be taken part-time over two or more years. Taught modules are delivered in semesters 1 and 2. The programme starts with an introductory 10-credit module to introduce material that will be encountered in the programme. Depending upon your academic background, you will begin by studying the fundamental principles of either chemical engineering or the relevant biological science.
This is followed by 50 credits of multidisciplinary core modules that cover advanced concepts in chemical engineering that are relevant to multiple sectors. The properties of colloidal systems, commonplace in formulated products such as food, are studied with a view to processing and characterisation. Techniques for measurement and characterisation are investigated alongside experimental design in an engineering context. The use of biological systems for the production of novel products is also covered.
The core modules are followed by optional modules in multiple diverse areas, reflecting the expertise of the school. The programme is designed to allow you to customise your learning experience and topics studied, to reflect your interests and next destination. The Advanced Chemical Engineering programme allows the most diversity, with students choosing 60 credits of optional modules from multiple themes.
These enable you to gain specific knowledge relating to topics that are the subject of current research within the school, such as bioprocessing, energy, engineering business, food processing, healthcare technology, pharmaceuticals, fuel cells, food and pharmaceutical product development. Safety, regulatory and quality issues applicable across the relevant industries are also considered.
You will have the freedom to pick and choose modules from each theme (providing timetabling allows for this). Some modules advertised currently may be subject to change, either in terms of the module content as stated below, or in terms of whether the module will be available for this programme (due to staff changes, timetable changes, etc).
Finally, in the summer, Masters students undertake an original research project, working closely with a research group within the school. This allows you to consolidate your knowledge in a practical setting and develop practical research expertise. This brings the total credits for the MSc to 180.
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
- 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
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
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 program 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 contribute towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your 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.
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 programs 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.
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
- 1 year full-time
- 2–3 years part-time
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.