MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering with Bioprocessing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Birmingham

Program Overview

The MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is all about helping you take your skills further and make a real impact in industries like energy, healthcare, food, and pharmaceuticals. If you already have a background in chemical engineering, chemistry, or a similar field, this course is perfect for you it gives you the chance to specialise in exciting areas such as bioprocessing, sustainable energy, or product formulation, and prepares you for a standout career.

Curriculum Structure

Taught Modules (Autumn & Spring Terms)
During the first part of the year, you’ll build a solid foundation with core modules like Introduction to Advanced Chemical Engineering or Introduction to Biochemical Engineering. These give you the skills to design processes, analyse data, and model complex systems. Alongside this, you can pick optional modules that match your interests whether it’s Energy Systems Design & Policy, Hydrogen Safety, Policy & Markets, Biopharmaceutical Bioprocessing, or Industrial Biotechnology for Sustainability letting you tailor the course to your career goals.

Summer Research Project
Your summer is focused entirely on a 60‑credit research project, guided by one of our expert supervisors. This is your chance to apply everything you’ve learned in a real-world context, whether through lab experiments, modelling, or a combination of both. By the end of the summer, you’ll have produced a dissertation that showcases your ability to tackle complex challenges independently.

Focus Areas

Energy systems, healthcare technology, product formulation, bioprocessing, sustainability, and process modelling.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to design and analyse advanced chemical processes, plan and run experiments, lead research and development projects, and use modelling tools to optimise real-world systems. You’ll graduate ready to step confidently into industry or further research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The MSc is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), giving you a professional qualification that’s recognised internationally and highly valued by employers.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

Birmingham’s Chemical Engineering department is ranked 6th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026).
The University of Birmingham is ranked 76th globally (QS World University Rankings 2026).
Graduates go on to work with top companies like Unilever, AstraZeneca, GSK, BP, Arup, Mondelez, and Johnson Matthey.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering at Birmingham, you’ll quickly realise that learning here goes far beyond lectures. You’ll get hands-on with real chemical engineering work running experiments in top-notch labs, designing and testing your own projects, and carrying out a full summer research project. It’s about building the skills and confidence that make a real difference in your future career. With guidance from expert academics and access to world-class facilities, you’ll graduate ready to tackle real-world engineering challenges.

Here’s what that experience looks like in practice:

Summer Research Project: Spend your final term working on a 60-credit independent project whether lab-based, theoretical, or a mix with close supervision from an expert in your field.
Lab Work & Experimental Design: Learn to design and carry out experiments, collect and analyse data, and apply what you’ve learned in practical, real-world scenarios.
Core Module: Measurement, Sensors & Design of Experiments: Gain essential skills in designing experiments and interpreting results — exactly what engineers need in industry and research.
Active Learning through Seminars & Tutorials: Solve problems, discuss ideas, and collaborate with your peers, making learning interactive and applied.
World-Class Facilities:
- Science City Laboratory for materials testing, imaging, and particle analysis.
- Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Research Facility with cutting-edge test stations and nanoparticle analysis.
- Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES) for hands-on energy research.
- Facility for Chemical & Materials Analysis with high-end instruments like NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and chromatography.
Industry-Relevant Projects: Work on real-world challenges and gain insight into how chemical engineers solve problems in energy, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Expert Supervision & Mentoring: Learn directly from faculty who are actively researching and innovating in areas like fuel cells, hydrogen, and bioprocessing.
Career Support: The University’s Careers Network helps you prepare for interviews, attend networking events, and connect with top employers like BP, GSK, and AstraZeneca.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing the MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering at Birmingham gives you the skills and confidence to step straight into exciting, high-impact roles. You could be designing better processes in energy, creating life-changing healthcare solutions, or leading innovative projects in manufacturing. Typical roles include:

Process Engineer
Formulation Engineer
Bioprocess / Biochemical Engineer
Project Manager in R&D or engineering teams

Here’s how the University helps you get there:

Career Support
- The Careers Network offers one-on-one guidance, coaching, and events where you can meet top employers.
- Chemical Engineering students get dedicated career advice from experts who understand your field.
- Even after graduation, Birmingham continues to support you with career services.
Employment and Salary
- Around 79% of postgraduates are in work or further study within six months of graduating.
- Average starting salaries are around £29,000–£35,000, with strong growth potential as you gain experience.
Industry Connections
- Birmingham has strong links with companies like Unilever, AstraZeneca, GSK, BP, Arup, Mondelez, and Johnson Matthey, offering networking, projects, and job opportunities.
Accreditation & Reputation
- The MSc is accredited by IChemE, which is respected worldwide.
- Birmingham is ranked 6th in the UK for Chemical Engineering, giving your degree extra credibility.
- You can specialise in areas like energy, healthcare technology, formulation, or bioprocessing to stand out in competitive industries.
Real-World Experience
- A 60-credit summer research project gives you hands-on experience tackling real-world problems, making your CV stronger and your skills sharper.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing this MSc, you could:

Pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field to focus on research and innovation.
Take an Engineering Doctorate (EngD), combining doctoral-level research with industry experience.
Explore postgraduate certificates or diplomas in niche areas like clean energy, bioprocessing, or formulation technology to build even more expertise.