Teaching starts 27 January 2025

Apply by 9 December 2024 to begin your studies in January.

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Join our accredited MSc and become a world-class process safety engineer.

Process safety protects society. With this degree, you’ll gain the skills to prevent and control events that can potentially release hazardous materials and energy.

  • Learn to understand and manage risk.
  • Study current industry trends.
  • Train in the tools and processes engineers use to identify, assess and control risk across industries.

You’ll graduate with detailed knowledge of operational safety, risk assessment and management. And you’ll be ready to seek work across a multitude of chemical processing sectors.

You’ll study flexibly, part-time, with a university recognised as a major centre for safety engineering in the UK. We’ve been focused on safety-related teaching and research for over 25 years.

Who can study this online Process Safety degree

This distance-learning MSc is open to students with a background in chemical, petroleum or mechanical engineering.

You can also study this degree full-time on campus.

Fits around full-time work

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

You’re in expert hands

We’ve been delivering online and distance learning for decades.

20% alumni discount

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

IChemE Internationally accredited degree

Accredited by the IChemE

This online MSc is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

It’s the leading professional qualifying body for chemical, biochemical and process engineers.

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 MSc in Process Safety 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 online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.

Specialist software

In this degree, you’ll be given access to and training in a range of software used throughout industry. You’ll learn to use UniSim, Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, Anysys Fluent, MATLAB and MATLAB Simulink.

Your tutors

This degree is delivered by our School of Engineering.

You’ll learn from a team of internationally experienced engineers, academics and industry professionals.

Industry input

Your degree content is designed and supported by an industry advisory board, made up of experienced professionals from a range of sectors. You’ll also benefit from direct industry input via guest lectures and industry-supported projects.

This degree is assessed online.

We’ll use a range of online assessment methods throughout your studies. These may include:

  • written coursework
  • online tests
  • reports and projects.

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 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:

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 accredited MSc qualification

You’ll graduate with an accredited MSc in Process Safety 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 industry and educational institutions around the world, opening up international opportunities.

Careers

You’ll graduate from this degree as a fully qualified process safety engineer.

You’ll receive exactly the same degree qualification as you would on campus.

You’ll be able to seek work across chemical processing sectors, in roles including:

  • Chemical Engineer
  • HSSE Lead Engineer
  • Process Safety Engineer
  • Risk Analyst
  • Risk and Safety Manager
  • Safety Engineer.

Safety will always remain one of the most important areas of focus for industry. There will be continuous demand for your skills around the world.

Global opportunities

Your qualification will be recognised by industry employers around the globe. Our engineering graduates have moved into successful international careers. Many have progressed to senior roles in industry, some to CEO and MD level.

Wherever your new career takes you, you’re likely to have a fellow University of Aberdeen graduate engineer working with you. Our School of Engineering truly is a global family network.

What our students say

Keith McIntyre

Keith McIntyre, on-campus MSc Process Safety graduate

“I can confidently say that the skills and knowledge I gained during my time on the MSc have been invaluable in my career as a Process Safety Engineer.

“Although the university is renowned for its role in the oil and gas industry, the course equipped me with a strong technical foundation, critical-thinking abilities, and practical problem-solving skills, allowing me to enter any industry’s workforce with confidence.

“After I graduated, I went into the pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industry as a Process Safety Engineer, where I apply the education I received every day. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities my time at Aberdeen has opened up for me.”

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.

Entry requirements

MSc

  • 2:1 (upper-second) UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, or
  • 2:1 (upper-second) UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical or Petroleum Engineering with evidence of your strengths in key aspects of Chemical Engineering, or
  • a high 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering and at least two years’ relevant industry experience.

Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics and Thermodynamics.

These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.

Short course route to online MSc Process Safety

If you prefer to start with a short course, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.

Find out about the short course route to entry

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 from 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.

We’ll also give you access to, and training in, a range of specialist software as part of this degree. You do not need any previous experience with this software. You’ll learn to use:

  • Anysys Fluent – for flow modelling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation
  • Aspen HYSYS – industry-favoured process simulation software
  • Aspen Plus – the leading chemical process simulator in the chemical industry
  • MATLAB – used by scientists and engineers to analyse data, develop algorithms and create models
  • MATLAB Simulink – a block diagram environment for model-based design
  • UniSim – software for process design and simulation.

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