Advanced Chemical Engineering MSc

You will learn through a combination of:

• taught modules
• coursework
• design projects
• guest lectures
• workshops
• MSc Research Dissertation
• a number of career-supporting activities

Courses can change from year-to-year depending on availability. Those listed provide a representation of courses previously offered. Courses for the forthcoming year will be published on the Degree Programme Table in the Spring.

In Semester 1 you will establish a foundation through compulsory courses which emphasise modern computational techniques and research methods.

In Semester 2 you will expand your knowledge through a broader selection of optional courses.

Compulsory courses

• Numerical Methods for Chemical Engineers (Semester 1)
• Molecular Thermodynamics (Semester 1)
• Introduction to Research Methods (Semester 1)
• Advanced Chemical Engineering Dissertation (Semester 3)

Advanced Design Courses

You must select at least one of the next three courses:

• Separation Processes for Carbon Capture (Semester 2)
• Oil and Gas Systems Engineering (Semester 2)
• Group Design Project (Advanced Chemical Engineering Design) (Semester 2)

Optional Courses

You will select one of the following courses during Semester 1:

• Chemical Reaction Engineering
• Fire Science and Fire Dynamics
• Engineering Project Management

You will select between three and six of the following courses (depending on your Advanced Design choices) for a total of 120 credits during Semester 2:

• Supply Chain Management
• Technology and Innovation Management
• Technology Entrepreneurship
• Adsorption
• Gas Separations Using Membranes
• Separation Processes
• Advanced Process Safety
• Batchwise and Semibatch Processing
• Bio-Inspired Engineering
• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering
• Polymer Science and Engineering
• Nanomaterials in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Electrochemical Engineering
• Particle Technology Fundamentals and Industrial Applications

Research Dissertation

The MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering Dissertation follows early project allocation and substantial training during Semesters 1-2.

After the completion of taught modules and confirmation of progression, you will focus exclusively on a research project during Semester 3, under the supervision of an academic member of staff. Several research projects will also involve frequent contact with an industry-based collaborator.

We offer a wide range of topics including:

• novel processes and materials for carbon capture and storage against climate change
• innovative solutions for energy storage and fuels
• efficient process systems for pharmaceuticals, food and drink manufacturing
• modern concepts and prototypes in healthcare, biomedicine and biotechnology

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Award	Title	Duration	Study mode
MSc	Advanced Chemical Engineering	1 Year	Full-time	Programme structure 2024/25

Learning Outcomes

We want you to become critical thinkers, adaptive learners and professional and ethical engineers. We will support you to:

• develop critical skills for comparative literature evaluation on a topic of interest
• acquire a working knowledge of modern modelling/simulation approaches at a molecular level
• gain a working knowledge of advanced experimental techniques within the context of MSc research projects (e.g. particle image velocimetry, IR spectroscopy, infra-red thermography)
• transform chemical engineering problems into suitable mathematical representations
• understand numerical methods and tools for solving problems, and their limitations
• become proficient in using advanced design approaches for diverse processes (e.g. energy, separation)
• transfer and implement engineering principles to other fields (e.g. biology, medicine)
• use a wide range of modern numerical and chemical engineering software
• foster autonomous work and decisions, self-motivated training and critical evaluation skills
• cultivate professional communication, human skills and peer review and interaction

On completion of the MSc Research Dissertation, you will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• plan and execute a significant research project, and submit a final report
• use a range of standard and specialised research instruments and techniques of enquiry
• identify, conceptualise and develop original, creative responses to problems and issues
• use a wide range of software applications to support research plans and present results
• exercise substantial autonomy and develop initiative in your assigned research activities
• adhere to rigorous research ethics rules and take responsibility for independent work
• critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge and practice in chemical engineering
• present your research findings to a range of audiences with different expertise levels
• communicate with the public, peers, senior colleagues and specialists
• discuss your research in the context of current societal needs and industrial practice

According to the Complete University Guide 2024, the Chemical Engineering programme at the University of Edinburgh is ranked 1st in Scotland and top 10 in the UK in terms of graduate prospects. Our graduates enjoy diverse career opportunities in:

• pharmaceuticals
• healthcare and biotech
• food and drink
• oil and gas, energy
• specialty chemicals
• consumer products
• banking and finance
• management consulting

Our graduates are well placed to find rewarding and lucrative careers. Recent employers include:

• BP
• P&G
• Mondelēz International
• Doosan Babcock
• Atkins
• Safetec
• Xodus Group
• Diageo
• Wood Group
• GSK
• Gilead Sciences
• ExxonMobil
• Jacobs
• Halliburton

• Cavendish Nuclear

• Careers service

Research reputation

As an MSc student at The School of Engineering, you will be immersed in a research-intensive, multidisciplinary environment, with many opportunities to interact with academics, researchers and PhD students from a range of programmes and Institutes across our vibrant community.

Find out more about our research:

• Research at the School of Engineering

We have designed this programme with a focus on the following objectives:

• Educating students to become visionary professional engineers, critical thinkers and global leaders
• Giving students skills to tackle tomorrow’s major societal challenges using Chemical Engineering principles
• Maintaining close links with industry to deliver relevant material, professional development and stimulate project-based innovation
• Fostering a community of global thought leaders benefiting students and industry through research-led teaching
• Building equality in society through our values of inclusion, diversity, and internationalism through societally important research projects

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in chemical engineering or a closely related field such as process, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food, materials engineering, industrial chemistry, or chemical technology. We may also consider your application if you have a degree in an adjacent field.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

• Academic Technology Approval Scheme

Deposit

If you receive an offer of admission you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Any applicants who are required to pay will receive an offer with full details. (If there is no information on your offer about the deposit, then you are not required to pay.)

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

• Tuition fee deposits

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

Award	Title	Duration	Study mode
MSc	Advanced Chemical Engineering	1 Year	Full-time	Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your residency status.

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

The Kenneth Denbigh Scholarship

• £1,000

These scholarships are available to applicants of any nationality. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit and the benefits to the student.

Candidates must have, or expect to obtain the international equivalent of a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree at undergraduate level.

Learn more about this scholarship:

• The Kenneth Denbugh Scholarship

Engineering International Masters Scholarships

• £3,000

The scholarships will be awarded to overseas applicants who have been accepted for admission on a full-time basis for an eligible postgraduate taught Masters programme within the School of Engineering.

The scholarship will be awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit with candidates requiring a first-class honours degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent.

Learn more about this scholarship:

• Engineering International Masters Scholarship

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding