Advanced Chemical Engineering

Program Overview

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Advanced Chemical Engineering, MSc

Introduction

A flexible, industry-focused programme, delivering advanced skills in chemical and process engineering for multiple industry sectors, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and environmental science.

Study Information

Study Options

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MSc
• Duration: 12 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September or January
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

Programme Fees

Fee category	Cost
EU / International students	£26,250
UK	£11,100

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses

• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
• Separation and Product Purification (EG502Y)
• Air and Water Pollution Control (EX501U)

Optional Courses

• Plus, select TWO from the following:
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (EG501V)
  • Safety & Risk Management (EG50S2)
  • Loss of Containment (EG50T5)

Semester 2

Compulsory Courses

• Catalyst and Reactor Design (EG552Q)
• Process Design, Layout & Materials (EG55P8)

Optional Courses

• Plus, select TWO from the following:
  • Process Plant Equipment and Operations (EG55P7)
  • Applied Risk Analysis and Management (EG5558)
  • Human Factors Engineering (EG55P9)

Semester 3

Compulsory Courses

• MSc Individual Project (EG59F1)

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
• Catalyst and Reactor Design (EG552Q)
• Process Design, Layout & Materials (EG55P8)

Optional Courses

• Plus two from the following:
  • Process Plant Equipment and Operations (EG55P7)
  • Applied Risk Analysis and Management (EG5558)
  • Human Factors Engineering (EG55P9)

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

• MSc Individual Project (EG59M2)

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

• Separation and Product Purification (EG502Y)
• Air and Water Pollution Control (EX501U)

Optional Courses

• Plus two from the following:
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (EG501V)
  • Safety & Risk Management (EG50S2)
  • Loss of Containment (EG50T5)

Available Programmes of Study

• MSc
  • Advanced Chemical Engineering
    • Qualification: MSc
    • Duration: 12 months
    • Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
    • Study Mode: Full Time
    • Start Month: September
    • Location: Aberdeen

Fee Information

• Self-funded international students commencing eligible postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £8,000 tuition waiver.
• Graduates of the University of Aberdeen are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, which reduces the tuition fee to £7,000.

Scholarships

• All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship.

Related Programmes

• Petroleum Engineering
• Process Safety
• Renewable Energy Engineering
• Safety and Reliability Engineering

How You'll Study

• Learning Methods:
  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lab Work
  • Lectures
  • Research
  • Tutorials

Why Study Advanced Chemical Engineering?

• Chemical engineers are highly sought after across a wide range of industry sectors, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and drink renewable energy and environmental protection.
• Students of this programme will also get the opportunity to visit companies and view their facilities.
• The MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering is designed specifically for chemical engineering graduates, or graduates of related disciplines, who aspire to gain a further qualification, advanced technical skills and knowledge in the field of chemical and process engineering.

Careers

• Graduates of this programme will find employment opportunities in research and development as well as in industrial fields including oil and gas processing, petrochemicals, fine chemicals and beverages, clean energy, environmental waste management, materials, agrochemicals, process safety, consultancy, and many technical areas.

Accreditation

• This degree holds accreditation from IChemE.

Our Experts

• Programme Coordinator: Dr Waheed Afzal

Entry Requirements

• Qualifications:
  • 2:2 UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth in Chemical Engineering or other related engineering discipline.
  • Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate

English Language Requirements

• To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently.
• The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
  • IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
  • PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
  • Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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The MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering

is designed for professionals who want to enhance their expertise in chemical and process engineering. It offers a flexible, industry-focused curriculum with various specializations, equipping graduates with advanced skills for diverse industries like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and environmental science.

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Objectives:

• Advance specialist knowledge and skills in chemical and process engineering.
• Gain a higher qualification in the field.
• Prepare for diverse career paths in the industry.

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Program Description:

This intensive program combines core courses in chemical engineering with optional modules in various areas, allowing students to tailor their studies to their career interests.

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Outline:

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Semester 1:

• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006): This course introduces students to university life and equips them with essential skills like time management and academic writing.
• Separation and Product Purification (EG502Y): This core course delves into the existing and emerging separation and product purification technologies focusing on design, optimization, and operation.
• Air and Water Pollution Control (EX501U): This course provides comprehensive understanding of water and air pollution control techniques, with a focus on wastewater treatment and air pollution control design based on mass and heat balance principles.

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Semester 2:

• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006): This course builds on the foundational skills acquired in the first semester.
• Catalyst and Reactor Design (EG552Q): This core course explores the crucial aspects of catalyst design and theory alongside the practice of reactor engineering.

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Semester 3:

• MSc Individual Project (EG59F1): This independent research project allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to a specific problem in their field of interest.

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Optional Courses:

Students choose two optional courses from the following in each semester:

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Semester 1:

• Computational Fluid Dynamics (EG501V): This course provides an understanding of the fundamental principles and techniques of CFD, enabling students to analyze and simulate fluid flows.
• Offshore Process Engineering (EG503J): This course explores advanced engineering and innovative design approaches used in challenging offshore environments like oilrigs and pipelines.
• Loss of Containment (EG50T5): This course focuses on the technical aspects of loss of containment, analyzing factors leading to such incidents and their potential consequences.

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Semester 2:

• Process Plant Equipment and Operations (EG55P7): This course provides knowledge and understanding of the operation and control of large process systems, focusing on the stability of control loops and advanced control strategies.
• Mathematical Optimisation (EG551T): This course explores optimization techniques applicable to real-world engineering problems, enabling students to find optimal solutions.
• Applied Risk Analysis and Management (EG5558): This course covers risk assessment tools and methods, equipping students with the ability to manage risks effectively.
• Human Factors Engineering (EG55P9): This course examines the interaction between humans and engineering systems, focusing on the role of human factors in major accidents and the importance of effective design.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the specific course, but may include:

• Examinations (written and/or oral)
• Coursework (assignments, essays, projects)
• Presentations
• Individual research project
Assessment criteria are specific to each course and are designed to evaluate the student's understanding and application of knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.

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Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Laboratory sessions
• Group projects
The program is delivered by experienced and qualified academics with expertise in their respective fields. Students benefit from a stimulating learning environment that fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and independent research.

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Careers:

Graduates are equipped to pursue careers in various industries including:

• Oil and gas
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food and drink
• Renewable energy
• Environmental protection
• Process safety consultancy
• Research and development
The program's emphasis on advanced technical skills and knowledge combined with the opportunity to specialize in specific areas opens up a wide range of career opportunities for graduates.

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Other:

• The program is accredited by IChemE, a professional engineering institution, ensuring that graduates meet industry standards and are eligible for professional registration.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in an individual research project, developing their research skills and gaining hands-on experience in a specific area of interest.

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EU / International students: £27,000 UK: £11,100