Become a leader in sustainable chemical engineering with this full-time master’s degree in Advanced Chemical Engineering. You’ll gain real-world insights working on actual industrial issues and will be equipped with the specialist skills needed to design sustainable technologies and processes.
As a chemical engineering graduate, you'll have excellent job prospects in sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals and biochemicals. The skills you’ll gain in state-of-the-art reactor design, advanced understanding of safety and risk management and computer systems to control processes are in demand from companies around the world.
This chemical engineering degree has a strong focus on sustainable chemical engineering. On completion, you’ll have the skills to help the world transition to a more sustainable future. Through your optional modules, you can personalise your learning to a particular theme. You could focus on:
wastewater
reactors
biochemical engineering
electrochemical engineering
sustainable energy systems
Employability is embedded throughout this degree. As part of a group design project you'll work with a team to time and budget to design, prototype, computer model and/or manufacture a product that meets an industrial brief. Your project will be showcased in our annual Engineering Design Show.
You'll also complete an independent research project. Conducting independent, original and critical research on a subject of your choosing. This research can be done on an industrial placement.
We’ve recently invested £12 million in our chemistry laboratories, which include specialist chemical engineering equipment. You’ll work in our purpose-built engineering design studios using industry-standard tools and facilities.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Your course leader is an experienced academic with skills in chemical and petroleum systems and research interests in sustainable energy engineering. Visit Dr Mohamed Galal Hassan Sayed's staff profile to learn more about his work.
You’ll need the minimum of a 2:1 degree in chemical engineering or a closely related subject.
Closely related subjects include environmental engineering, engineering and technology, and applied chemistry. Applicants must have completed and passed at least one core chemical engineering module.
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Your studies will run for a full 12 months. The first 8 months are devoted to taught modules and the completion of your group design project. You will also take exams during this time.
The final 4 months are spent full-time on a supervised research project, which will result in your dissertation. If you wish you can conduct this research during an industrial placement. Our team will help you find a suitable placement.
What you'll study:
You’ll need to complete 6 modules, plus your group project and your dissertation, to gain your MSc. Each module is about 150 hours of study time. You’re expected to be on campus engaged in learning about 15 to 20 hours a week.
You’ll be able to choose 50% of your taught modules from a range of options, enabling you to specialise in your area of interest. This includes the option to study an appropriate module from elsewhere in the University, subject to the approval of the course leader.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
You'll analyse and design engineering solutions to a real world problems through practical exercises and experiences, expert teaching, and demonstrations.
You'll learn through a variety of methods, including:
lectures and seminars
visit to a commercial anaerobic digestion (AD) plant
field trips to fossil fuel and/or renewables facilities
use of COMSOL Multiphysics analysis tool
demonstrations using software simulation and video materials
For more detailed learning information take a look at the individual module pages.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
group design project
lab reports
assignments and coursework
exams
oral presentations
written and multiple choice essays
computer assisted assessment
Dissertation
The dissertation research project is a compulsory module you must pass to complete this course. It will take around 600 hours to complete and you will have tailored support throughout.
Academic Support
Your personal academic tutor and MSc project supervisor will provide the academic support you need to achieve your best. You’ll also have access to a range of University student support services should you need them, including learning skills and English language support.
Careers
Chemical engineering is a career that can make a real difference in the world, but it’s also well-rewarded. Average salaries for experienced chartered chemical engineers reach £79,000 in the UK (Institution of Chemical Engineers).
Chemical engineers are in demand in many different sectors, including medicine, food and beverages, renewable fuels and resource and waste management.
As a chemical engineering graduate you’ll be qualified to take up roles as:
chemical engineer
energy engineer
petroleum engineer
product scientist
environment engineer
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV/resume and interview skills workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
Southampton Chemistry Deans International Scholarship
Four scholarships offer international students £5,000 off their first year of study of chemistry and chemical engineering at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
International students
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
If you're an international student you'll need approval from the UK's Academic Approval Scheme before you can study this course.
The ATAS certificate is required for certain sensitive postgraduate subjects.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification
References are not required for this programme.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You may also be asked to provide:
a degree transcript
evidence of professional qualifications
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Advanced Chemical Engineering (MSc) is a course in the
Chemistry and chemical engineering
subject area.
Here are some other courses within
this subject area:
