Help to power the energy transition with sustainable mineral solutions.
Join one of the few courses in the world dedicated to the sustainable extraction and recycling of critical minerals.
These resources drive renewable technologies including solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries.
Why this course matters
The demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements is skyrocketing as industries accelerate towards clean energy.
In this course, you’ll learn to tackle the scarcity and environmental challenges of these resources head-on.
You’ll develop the scientific and engineering expertise to design sustainable management and processing solutions for these resources.
What you’ll gain
- Specialised knowledge: Study critical mineral resources, their behaviour, and advanced extraction and recycling processes.
- Practical skills: Learn to classify mineral deposits, design optimised processing systems, apply separation techniques, and carry out lab-based analysis.
- Environmental insight: Focus on life cycle thinking, mineral recycling, resource efficiency, and environmentally responsible solutions.
- Career advantage: Prepare for roles in engineering, resource management, environmental consultancy, or research in high-growth sectors.
Who can join this online critical minerals course?
This distance-learning course is designed for engineering graduates and professionals who want to make a real impact in the global shift to net-zero.
The course is particularly valuable for:
- engineers from a range of backgrounds, including chemical, mechanical, mining, petroleum, and process engineering
- materials scientists and recycling specialists – you’ll find the course especially useful, as you’ll explore how your expertise applies to mineral supply chains and clean energy technologies
- government officials, policy advisors, and public sector professionals engaged in shaping policies around critical minerals, mining, and environmental regulation
- financial analysts and investors with an interest in green technology, responsible sourcing, and the raw materials needed for the energy transition
- academics, researchers, and students in fields such as geoscience, environmental studies, energy, chemistry, and sustainability.
Build credits towards a Masters degree
This short course is part of online:
You can use the credits you earn with this course towards this MSc qualification.
What you’ll study
In this course, you’ll study the minerals that are essential to the energy transition, as well as sustainable and efficient methods for their extraction and recycling.
You’ll cover a range of technical and scientific topics related to minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, graphite, and rare earth elements.
You’ll also develop your understanding of recycling processes for minerals utilised in green energy production and storage technologies.
You’ll cover topics including:
- Introduction to critical minerals and their role in clean energy technologies
- Exploration methods and mineral resource estimation, including geological mapping and mineral deposit classification
- Comminution processes, such as crushing, grinding, and particle size reduction techniques
- Physical separation methods, including: gravity separation, magnetic and electrical separation, froth flotation, solid/liquid separation technologies
- Chemical separation techniques, such as: precipitation, membrane technology, electrochemical separation
- Hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical extraction methods, including leaching, smelting, and refining
- Tailings management strategies, focusing on waste disposal and environmental risk mitigation
- Recycling processes and life cycle assessment of minerals used in renewable energy systems.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to...
-
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the critical minerals essential for energy transition, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, graphite, and rare earth elements – and their roles in green energy technologies.
-
Understand and apply methods for mineral deposit characterisation, including mineralogical analysis, particle size distribution, and liberation assessment, as well as comminution processes such as crushing and grinding.
-
Explain and evaluate physical and chemical separation methods used in mineral processing, including gravity, magnetic, flotation, precipitation, membrane, and electrochemical techniques.
-
Understand and assess hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods for mineral extraction, including leaching, smelting, and refining, along with related environmental considerations.
-
Identify and apply strategies for sustainable tailings management and demonstrate an understanding of mineral recycling processes and life cycle assessment for minerals used in renewable energy systems.
-
Classify mineral deposits, select appropriate extraction and separation techniques, and design efficient and sustainable mineral processing and recycling systems.
-
Demonstrate practical skills in laboratory-based mineral analysis, including the interpretation of data to inform the design of extraction strategies.
-
Collaborate effectively in team-based laboratory and design projects, demonstrating leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills within technical discussions and methodological development.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online critical minerals courses
Fits around full-time work
This online course fits around work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
You’re in expert hands
We’ve been training world-class engineers for over 100 years and delivering online learning for decades.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off fees for this online course.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning course for mineral sustainability is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level.
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including:
- videos and video lectures
- tutorials
- slide shows
- guided tasks
- discussion prompts
- reading materials
- discussion boards with your tutor and peers
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
This course is delivered by our School of Engineering.
You’ll learn from academics highly experienced in the research and teaching of mineral processing and sustainable energy systems.
This course is assessed online.
You’ll be assessed online via:
- a laboratory report (worth 20% of your final course grade)
- a multiple-choice test (20%), and
- a final online exam (60%).
The course totals approximately 150 hours of study and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities with deadlines
There will be some activities scheduled at fixed times, such as assessments with deadlines, or meetings with your tutor. But otherwise, you can access and work through the course at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your tutors via MyAberdeen and email.
You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinator
Dr Roozbeh Rafati
Roozbeh is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering who specialises in mineral processing and sustainable extraction technologies.
His research focuses on critical materials for clean energy, with notable contributions in lithium recovery from subsurface brines using advanced membrane and ion-sieve methods.
Roozbeh integrates cutting-edge research with practical teaching to prepare students for challenges in the evolving energy sector.
View Roozbeh’s profileWhere this will take you
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards our online:
Masters in Advanced Chemical Engineering
Develop your knowledge and qualifications in chemical engineering, design and practice, with an emphasis on safety and sustainability. Study flexibly online in this degree that fits around full-time work.
View MSc Advanced Chemical EngineeringIn-demand skills for energy transition careers
With the global surge in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, robotics, and advanced electronics, demand for critical minerals is higher than ever.
This course equips you with the technical understanding and practical skills needed to address one of the sector’s most urgent challenges: how to sustainably recycle and recover these vital resources from end-of-life products.
Skills you’ll gain
- design and optimise mineral extraction systems
- apply chemical and physical separation techniques
- manage environmental issues related to mineral processing
- carry out lab-based analysis of mineral samples
- make data-driven decisions
- strengthened leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through collaboration.
Career paths
These competencies will prepare you for careers in engineering, resource management, environmental consultancy, or further academic research within the field of mineral sustainability and energy transition.
This includes roles in industries and organisations working towards a circular economy, such as:
- mineral processing companies
- environmental consultancies
- battery manufacturers
- government agencies, and
- sustainability-focused research centres.
Further studies
This course also provides an excellent stepping-stone for further academic study, such as a Master’s degree or research project (MRes or PhD) in fields including sustainable energy systems, chemical engineering, or materials science.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
For this course, we recommend the following level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 18 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening, reading and speaking
- 169 for writing
LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening, reading and speaking
- 65 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Skills for English: SELT
- B2 pass with merit
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening, reading and speaking
- 105 for writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For full information about language requirements, see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Learning resources
Access to all the essential books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
We also provide optional recommended reading lists. Many of these resources are available electronically through our library, although purchases may be required if you wish to read the full list.
Printing
You may want to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, for this course, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as engineering, geosciences, environmental science, materials science, or energy studies, or
- relevant professional experience that supports this level of learning.
