MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering

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.

Do you want to make a difference and help shape the world we live in? Are you passionate about problem-solving? Would you like to work with some of the best researchers in the world to provide solutions to the current day and future global issues?

If so, the University of Birmingham could be the right postgraduate choice for you. The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences is leading the way in cutting edge education, research and development across various sectors, such as engineering, industry, technology, energy, healthcare, and much more. Studying with us will not only be the next step on your career path but will enable you to help make the world a more advanced, resilient and sustainable place.

Why study at the University of Birmingham?

• We are a global Top 100 University and are ranked top 20 in multiple UK league tables
• We have been named the most targeted university by the UK’s top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2021
• 87% of our research has a global impact (REF 2014)
• Numerous UoB alumni and staff have been involved with work recognised with Nobel prizes
• There is a wealth of employability support services available to students. The College and our Careers Network can provide you with practical advice and skills for career development. We also have excellent industrial links with global companies, such as Rolls Royce and Jaguar Land Rover, which allow opportunities for our students to gain insight and experience of the industry.
• You could receive a Commonwealth Scholarship worth £3,000 or a Global Masters Scholarship worth £10,000 if you start your studies in September 2021. Information and eligibility criteria for both awards is available on our website.