Study MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering flexibly, 100% online.

Further your qualifications and develop advanced technical skills in chemical and process engineering.

Study the latest advancements and innovations in the field, with support and guidance from expert engineers, academics, and industry itself.

In this flexible online Masters degree, you’ll develop your knowledge in core areas of chemical engineering, design and practice, with an emphasis on safety and sustainability.

Your industry-focused learning will prepare you for advanced roles in multiple industry sectors, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food, and environmental science.

Customise your learning

Choose from a unique variety of courses to tailor your qualification to you, and specialise in areas including clean energy, process safety, management studies, and environmental protection.

You can also study MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering on campus.

Who can join this online chemical engineering degree?

This distance learning degree is open to graduates in chemical engineering or related engineering disciplines.

This could include polymer engineering, materials engineering, petroleum or oil and gas engineering, food engineering, bioengineering, and materials science.

Choose the University of Aberdeen for your online Masters in Chemical Engineering

Fits around full-time work

This degree fits around full-time work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.

Earn a respected Masters degree

You’ll earn exactly the same Masters degree online as you would on campus.

You’re in expert hands

We’ve been training world-class engineers for over 100 years and delivering online learning for decades.

What you’ll study

You can choose to study for a:

  • Masters (180 credits)
  • exit early with a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
  • exit early with a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), or
  • start with one of the short courses that make up this degree (15 credits).

You can build your way to a qualification one short course at a time.

How you’ll study

Online learning

This distance learning chemical engineering degree is delivered flexibly, 100% online.

You can learn with us anywhere in the world, no student visa required, and set your study hours to suit you.

Your teaching

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:

  • video lectures and tutorials
  • slideshows
  • reading materials
  • discussion boards with your tutors and peers
  • online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.

Your tutors

This degree is delivered by our School of Engineering.

You’ll learn from an international team of research-active chemistry and engineering staff. In partnership with industry, they have designed this programme to ensure you are taught the latest technologies and thinking in the field.

This degree is assessed online.

We’ll use several types of assessment throughout your studies, including:

  • timed online exams
  • short-answer tests
  • essays, and
  • presentations.

Hours for taught courses

If you plan to study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. Students typically take one or two 15-credit short courses per term.

15 credits

  • Around 150 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
  • You’ll study 10 – 15 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.

30 credits

  • Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
  • You’ll study 20 – 30 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.

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 at fixed times

Some activities will be scheduled for fixed times, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.

Hours for 60-credit projects and dissertations

A 60-credit project or dissertation is around 600 hours of study time.

This is around one term of full-time study.

You can dedicate a full term to your project or dissertation and work on it full-time. Or you can complete it part-time, spreading the hours you dedicate to it over two terms.

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.

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. 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:

Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.

We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).

Access study spaces, books and journals in your area

The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.

You’ll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.

Find out about the SCONUL Access scheme for libraries.

Your support team

Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

Dr Waheed Afzal

Waheed is the degree coordinator. He’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.

View Waheed’s profile

Lyn Magee

Lyn is part of the School’s administration team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.

Get in touch

The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.

Ask us a question

Where this will take you

Your MSc qualification

You’ll graduate with a respected MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.

You’ll receive exactly the same degree qualification online as you would on campus. Your degree title will not mention online or distance learning.

Your MSc qualification will be recognised by employers and educational institutions around the world, opening up international opportunities.

Careers

This degree is designed to prepare you for leadership roles in a range of technical or professional fields, as well as academia, and research organisations.

You’ll graduate ready to take up roles within sectors including:

  • chemical and process industries
  • research and development
  • clean energy
  • oil and gas processing
  • petrochemicals
  • fine chemicals and beverages
  • environmental waste management
  • materials
  • design firms
  • agrochemicals
  • consultancy, and other related fields.

What our students say

Akshay Vete, on-campus MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering graduate

“Graduating with an MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen in 2022 was an incredibly rewarding experience.

“The challenging academic curriculum pushed me to think critically and expand my knowledge, while the supportive faculty provided invaluable guidance and encouragement throughout my studies.

“The comprehensive education and hands-on experience I received enabled me to secure job offers immediately after graduation.

“I am now working as a Process Design Engineer for a major company in the UK, specialising in consulting, engineering, designing, startup and decommissioning.”

Rizwan Ahmed

Rizwan Ahmed, on-campus MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering graduate

“I completed my MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering in September 2023. I’m now working as a Process Design Engineer for a company in Aberdeen, specialising in sustainability, retrofits, and the design and construction of chemical and energy plants.

“I highly recommend this programme to anyone exploring advanced degrees.

“What truly set my experience apart was the personalised, small-group teaching approach, which allowed for individualised attention and a deeper understanding of complex concepts.

“The supportive faculty provided constant guidance and encouragement, significantly impacting my learning journey.

“Additionally, the ability to choose career pathways through optional courses was highly beneficial.”

Lifelong career support

Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.

You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.

  • 1:1 appointments
  • CV checks
  • Interview prep
  • Job opportunities

Fees and funding

The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2024/25 academic year.

We have confirmed that our fees will rise by 5% for the 2025/26 academic year. Our indicative cost includes a 5% fee rise each year.

Pay as you go

This is a pay-as-you-go degree.

You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.

You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.

How it works

  • You decide how many credits to study for each term.
  • At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
  • This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your degree.

Your personalised cost breakdown

Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.

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.

There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:

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.

20% Alumni discount

You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen. View Alumni discount details.

How discounts work

Discounts are applied during your application process. You can only use one discount per application.

Choose the University of Aberdeen for flexible online engineering degrees

Over 525 years of excellence

You’ll graduate from the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1495.

Learn anywhere

On smartphone, desktop and laptop, with no need for a student visa.

20% alumni discount

University of Aberdeen alumni receive 20% off fees for this online degree.

Entry requirements

MSc

Our minimum requirements for entry to this degree are:

  • a 2:1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

You can also apply if you have:

  • a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant Engineering discipline and can demonstrate at least two years’ relevant industry experience.

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world.

See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.

Visa requirements

You do not need a student visa to study online with us.

English language requirements

Teaching is delivered in English.

If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.

English language tests and scores

If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept for this course or degree.

These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements.

IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and 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 and 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

LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre

  • Overall High Pass
  • 33 for listening, reading and speaking
  • 38 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

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 apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.

What you need to apply for this degree

  • Degree transcript
  • Personal statement
  • Degree certificate
  • CV / Resume

Apply now

Start with our step-by-step guide. It explains degree transcripts, what to write in your personal statement and how to use our Applicant Portal.

You can apply to start in either September or January.

Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.

January 2025 intake

For our January 2025 intake, the application deadline is 9 December 2024.

You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 18 December 2024.

Teaching starts on 27 January 2025.

September 2025 intake

Teaching starts on 22 September 2025.

Application deadlines will be announced in due course.

You will need access to:

A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:

  • Windows 10 or later
  • macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.

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, and PowerPoint 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.

Try our degree scheduler

Choose your courses

Choose your courses

See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.

Manage your study schedule

Manage your study schedule

Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.

Save to your wishlist

Save to your wishlist

Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.

Customise your degree

Master of Science

180 credits

£14,550

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in January 2025.

Apply for this programme

Start month
January or September
INDICATIVE COST
£14,550

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in January 2025.

Apply via our Applicant Portal
Added to your wishlist