MSci Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering

5 Years On Campus Accelerated-bachelors Program

University of Strathclyde

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by chemistry but also want to see how molecules become real-world products, this program is perfect for you. It blends in-depth chemistry with chemical engineering, so you’ll not only understand reactions at a molecular level but also learn how to design and scale up processes for industry.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll get a strong grounding in chemistry with courses like Chemistry: Principles & Practice 1 & 2, where you’ll explore analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry while developing essential lab skills. You’ll also start learning chemical engineering basics, including Basic Principles in Chemical Engineering and Chemical Engineering: Fundamentals, Techniques and Tools, introducing mass and energy balances, fluid flow, and thermodynamics. Meanwhile, Mathematics 1B & 2B will sharpen your calculus and problem-solving skills, and you’ll pick an elective to explore something outside your main subjects.

Years 2 & 3
In years two and three, your chemistry knowledge deepens with modules like Fundamental Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry 1, supported by hands-on lab work in Practical Organic, Inorganic & Physical Chemistry. On the engineering side, you’ll tackle Fluid Flow & Heat Transfer and Process Analysis & Statistics, giving you practical skills to model industrial processes. You’ll also work in teams on projects and presentations, building your communication and teamwork abilities alongside your technical expertise.

Year 4
By the fourth year, you start applying your knowledge in more complex ways. You’ll explore advanced topics like Physical Chemistry 2 and Inorganic Chemistry, Structures & Spectroscopy, while also studying Process Control & Environmental Technology to understand pollution control and water treatment design. The highlight is the Chemical Engineering Design project, where you and your team design a process plant from start to finish, putting theory into practice.

Year 5
In your final year, you can focus on areas that excite you the most through Topics in Chemistry and MSci Chemical Engineering electives, such as Clean Combustion Technologies or Electrochemical Energy Devices. You’ll also complete a Final-Year Project & Dissertation, working alongside researchers on a real-world chemical or engineering challenge, giving you the chance to make a tangible impact before you graduate.

Focus Areas

Chemistry fundamentals, lab synthesis, process modelling, reactor and plant design, environmental control, and advanced specializations like clean energy or molecular simulation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end, you’ll be confident analyzing chemical systems, designing and optimizing processes, conducting independent research, working safely in labs and industrial settings, and communicating technical solutions effectively.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

IChemE accreditation – meets requirements for Chartered Chemical Engineer status
RSC accreditation – meets requirements for Chartered Chemist status

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

Ranked 1st in the UK for Chemistry (Guardian University Guide)
Top 10 in the UK for Chemical Engineering (Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Strathclyde, you don’t just learn chemistry and chemical engineering in lectures — you get straight into practical work from the start. You’ll spend time in well-equipped labs, learning by doing, from basic experiments in your first year to cutting-edge research in your final year. You’ll also gain experience with industrial tools and software, work on real process equipment, and get a taste of how chemical engineering and chemistry come together in the real world.

Here’s how you’ll get hands-on experience:

State-of-the-art labs: Use instruments like NMR, HPLC, GC, mass spectrometry, ATR-IR, X-ray crystallography, and rotary evaporators to carry out real experiments.
Chemical Engineering Practice: Operate process plant equipment, take measurements, and use MATLAB for simulations and modelling, combining lab work with digital tools.
Final-year research project: Work alongside researchers in specialist labs on a real chemical or process challenge, gaining first-hand research experience.
Advanced analytical facilities: Access equipment like DSC, TGA, BET surface area analysers, UV-Vis spectrophotometers, rheometers, and high-resolution microscopes.
High-performance computing: Use the ARCHIE-WeSt supercomputing centre for simulations, data analysis, and modelling complex chemical processes.
Industry and global exposure: Opportunities to study abroad and attend guest lectures from industry experts, connecting theory with practical applications.
Research centres: Learn from or collaborate with specialists in Strathclyde’s Centre for Process Analytics & Control Technology (CPACT) and the Continuous Manufacturing & Crystallisation (CMAC) team.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Strathclyde’s MSci Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering program opens the door to a wide range of exciting careers. Many alumni go on to work as chemical engineers, analytical chemists, process development scientists, or research scientists, combining deep chemistry knowledge with real-world engineering skills. With this dual expertise, you’ll be highly sought after by industry, research labs, and innovative start-ups alike:

Careers & Employability Support: Strathclyde’s Careers Service is with you every step of the way — offering one-to-one guidance, CV workshops, interview preparation, and access to the MyCareerHub portal for jobs, events, and employer connections.
Work Experience & Placement Opportunities: You can take part in credit-bearing placements, summer research internships, and challenge-based projects like VIP4SD, gaining hands-on experience in real-world problems.
Industry Partnerships: Strong links with companies in sustainability, catalysis, and process design allow students to work on real projects through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), giving you a foot in the door with leading firms.
Professional Accreditation: The course is accredited by both the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) — helping you progress toward Chartered Chemical Engineer and Chartered Chemist status.
Graduate Outcomes & Salary: Around 90% of graduates are in highly skilled roles within 15 months. Early-career salaries typically range from £28,000–£34,000, rising to £40,000+ with experience and chartered status.
Global & Diverse Careers: Alumni work in everything from process engineering at major companies like Unilever and ExxonMobil to environmental engineering, biotech, analytical chemistry, and even science communication.

Further Academic Progression:
If you love research, you can continue with postgraduate study — many graduates go on to a PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, building on the research skills, lab experience, and industry connections you develop during your MSci.