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Postgraduate study
Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering MSc

The MSc Chemical Engineering postgraduate course is ideal if you are a chemical engineering undergraduate or if you are working within the chemical and process associated industries – pharmaceutical, fertilisers, power and energy, or water companies – and are looking for professional development, for a promotion and/or to get up to date with industry standards and research.

 

Course overview

Accredited

You cover a range of advanced chemical engineering subjects, broadening and deepening your understanding and knowledge of the field. You have the opportunity to develop your skills in synthesising information from a wide variety of sources and developing your decision-making abilities in solving complex chemical engineering problems. Themes within the course include sustainability (recycling, better use of raw materials) and electrochemistry (battery technology and renewable energy).

This course provides you with an industrially, commercially and professionally relevant education by developing your lifelong learning skills, fostering an ethos of continual professional development and giving you a progression route for further professional development. Teesside University has a 50-year history of teaching chemical engineering. We have core staff with direct experience of working in or with the chemical engineering industry, in the UK and overseas. You use our impressive lab facilities for your research - we have a separations lab with absorption and distillation columns, a catalysis lab and fermentation processing unit. You may have the opportunity to link in with our ERDF-funded project on the development of hydrogen economy and other on-campus and regional industry-based research projects. Our chemical engineering graduates have gone on to work for companies including SABIC, Johnson Matthey, Sembcorp, GlaxoSmithKline and CF Fertilisers.

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Course details

Course structure

Core modules

Advanced Chemical Engineering Design

This module will enable you to explore the use of industrial standard modelling and simulation software in the design of complex chemical engineering unit operations. You will use the knowledge and skills gained to produce a computational design of a chemical plant.

You will also learn about the business and regulatory aspects of process design and development in chemical engineering.

The assessment comprises of 100 percent course work. It consists of group produced portfolio where evaluation of an individual contribution will be based on tutor moderated self and peer assessment.

Advanced Fluid Dynamics

This module covers multiphase flow and computational fluid dynamics for various engineering applications, and incompressible and compressible flow applicable to flight of subsonic and supersonic aircraft.

In addition it includes a revision of the fundamental fluid flow and thermodynamic governing equations, introduction to CFD, multiphase flow, subsonic and supersonic around wings, flow through nozzles and diffusers, oblique shock waves and expansion waves, shock wave and boundary layer interaction.

The module content will be delivered by lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions. This will include a series of keynote lectures delivered by academic staff providing the core of the learning experience, supplemented by problem-solving seminars and IT-based laboratory sessions providing an opportunity to explore complex flows through the use of CFD codes.

Electrochemical Principles

You gain an insight into the principles of electrochemical systems and the supporting theory. Also applications of this technology such as electrolysis processes, batteries, and fuel cells will be considered. The module examines the relevant kinetics and thermodynamics theory to model the mass transfer and diffusion effects observed.

Engineering Research Project

You investigate an area of engineering and work independently to a level recognised to be at the forefront of the discipline. The topic can be in the form of a research project or a design project. Key skills in research and in knowledge application and creation will be developed through keynote lectures and self-managed independent study. You are required to demonstrate the capacity for a comprehensive and objective analysis, and for developing innovative and constructive proposals for the solution to the project topic.

Process Improvement and Optimisation

Although the chemical industry has spectacularly changed within the last decade, there is still demand and ongoing need for process improvement and optimisation, to align technology to market needs by producing “lean and mean” designs.

You gain a sound understanding of the complex concepts of process improvement and a working knowledge of the sophisticated optimisation techniques that are applied to the design and control of chemical engineering processes.

Based on a thorough technical analysis of the chemical process, quality improvement measures will be proposed in order to optimise the reaction and operation conditions. In this respect, the use of catalysts with high activity and selectivity will be foreseen along with advanced flow reactors, while designing a new technology or re-designing an existing one. The standard optimisation techniques will be introduced and the most beneficial applications will be identified.

Quality, Health, Safety and Environment

The module provides an understanding of the aims, responsibilities and means to achieve effective Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) management systems in Oil and Gas related organisations.

This module presents a number of core and specialist areas appropriate for effective management of QHSE in a successful oil and gas related organisation. Critical components of Safety Management (including a QHSE plan, process safety, hazard identification, safety auditing and managing risk) form a comprehensive part of the core study underpinning the total Safety Management System (SMS). Where appropriate, actual industry examples are used as case studies to enhance the students’ learning and to demonstrate the mechanisms used, and impact of, legal and administrative compliance. Further, the relevance of occupational health and safety and also sustainability in safety are discussed in terms of best industry practice.

The importance of implementing a Total Quality Management (TQM) system and the impact on the industry/organisation will be emphasised to students. Environmental drives and current issues, including an Environmental Impact Assessment will complete this part of the programme content.

Sustainability in Chemical Engineering

This module covers environmental assessments such as life cycle assessment, environmental impact assessment and environmental management system on environmental impacts from industrial and human activities. You also gain an understanding of sustainable engineering strategies such as clean technology and renewable energy to address current environmental issues.

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

You can study this course either full time over one year or part time over two years, attending one day a week. Full-time and part-time students can start their studies in Semester 1. Full-time international students can start their studies in Semester 2. The modules on this course are all FHEQ Level 7.

The course structure is divided into 20-credit taught modules delivered in one of two semesters. After successfully completing these modules, you proceed to a 60-credit research project where you undertake a major piece of individual research work.

The course consists of 120 credit of taught modules and a 60-credit Engineering Research Project. Taught modules are delivered over one semester providing the opportunity for both in-depth learning and immersion within the subject material.

How you are assessed

The course assessment tests subject knowledge, independent thought and skills acquisition. Assessments are robust, equitable and manageable and incorporate both formative and summative assessment opportunities.

We use a variety of assessment tools to ensure that you have a range of opportunities to demonstrate learning:

  • design reports
  • laboratory reports
  • portfolios
  • exams
  • group work
  • preparing and displaying posters
  • technical interviews/oral presentations
  • literature surveys, evaluations and summaries
  • dissertation.

You are presented with an assessment schedule with details of the submission deadlines for summative assessments.

 

Entry requirements

You need a first degree in chemical engineering, process engineering or relevant engineering discipline equivalent to at least a UK second class (2.2) honours degree.

Students with a degree awarded outside the UK must also meet the University's minimum English language requirements.

International applicants who need a student visa to study in the UK should check our web pages on UKVI-compliant English language requirements. The University also provides pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet the minimum English language requirement.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

 

Employability

Career opportunities

Chemical engineers are employed worldwide in activities including research and development, design and plant operation. They are involved in a wide range of sectors including utilities, construction, defence, chemicals, oil, pharmaceuticals, energy and environment.

 

Information for international applicants

Qualifications

International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

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Useful information

Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.

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Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that a degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK to deliver the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills required for professional registration.

Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is more likely to be recognised by other countries.

Full-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£7,365 a year

More details about our fees

Fee for international applicants
£17,000 a year

More details about our fees for international applicants

  • Length: September enrolment: 1 year, January enrolment: 16 months, including a summer break
  • Start date: September or January
  • Semester dates

Apply now (full-time)

 

Part-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£820 for each 20 credits

More details about our fees

  • Length: September enrolment: 2 years, including a summer break, January enrolment: 28 months, including two summer breaks
  • Attendance: typically one or two days a week
  • Start date: September or January
  • Semester dates

Apply now (part-time)

Apply now (part-time)

 

Choose Teesside

  • News

    Chemical engineering team at Teesside University. Front row (L to R): Dr Humbul Suleman, Dr Samantha Gooneratne, Dr Tannaz Pak, Dr Sina Rezaei Gomari, Dr Venkatesan Venkata Krishnan, Back Row (L to R): Dr Tariq Galandachi Ahmed, Dr Johnson Ugwu, Dr Kin Wai Cheah, Dr Faizan Ahmad, Dr Paul Russell, Dr Adam Adgar. Link to View the pictures. Fifty years of chemical engineering at Teesside
    A prestigious course at Teesside University is celebrating its golden jubilee as it continues to deliver impact across the globe though its research, knowledge exchange and graduate talent.

    Read the full story

     
 
 

Get in touch

UK students

Email: scedtadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

International students

Email: internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 738900


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