Chemical Process Engineering MSc

About this degree

Modern society relies on the work of chemical and, in particular, process engineers.

Process engineering is multidisciplinary and often involves close collaboration between engineers and scientists with different backgrounds. Building on the students’ first degrees, the programme allows developing the in-depth knowledge and transferable skills required for highly skilled jobs in the process engineering sector. Relying on an integrated approach to chemical engineering that encourages the application of core principles to problems of current and future industrial relevance, this programme aims to form engineers aware of the context of their work and able to have a positive impact in their future profession.

UCL Chemical Engineering, situated in the heart of London, is one of the top-rated departments in the UK, being internationally renowned for its outstanding research.

Students will learn core chemical engineering principles and applications, as well as team-working and communication skills. They will learn how to 1) be creative and innovative in solving problems and designing processes, 2) use appropriate mathematical methods and scientific principles as tools for solving complex problems, 3) analyse and interpret data and, when necessary, design experiments to gain new data, and 4) retrieve, analyse and use information from a wide range of sources.

The programme offers two routes with different compulsory and optional modules. The routes are:

1. Advanced Chemical Engineering Route (accredited by the IChemE at F Standard)
2. Research Route

The different routes have been designed to cater for students with different backgrounds and aspirations. Both routes include depth chemical engineering modules that cover core chemical engineering topics, breadth chemical engineering modules related to more specific chemical engineering topics, as well as non-chemical engineering modules.

The research projects offer a balanced mix of theory and practice, helping to develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. The students work on real and open-ended problems, coordinating the knowledge acquired in taught modules to solve complex, multi-dimensional problems.

The combination of taught modules and research projects is designed to form well-rounded graduates with a strong grasp of the technical fundamentals of chemical engineering and a broad understanding of the complexity and context of chemical process engineering problems.

1. Advanced Chemical Engineering Route
The Advanced Chemical Engineering Route comprises 180 UCL credits and is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) at F-standard, which, combined with an IChemE accredited qualification at B-Standard, meets in full the academic requirements for Chartered Chemical Engineer (see further information on the IChemE website).
Each student takes a total of nine modules comprising a major project (60 credits) and eight taught modules (120 credits) selected from the list below.

Compulsory Modules

CENG0057-Chemical Process Engineering Research Project
CENG0053-Process Engineering Modelling and Design
CENG0044-Research Skills: Qualitative
CENG0045-Research Methods: Quantitative

Optional Modules

Chemical Engineering Optional Depth Modules
Select at least two modules from the list below.

CENG0018-Chemical Reaction Engineering II
CENG0019-Transport Phenomena II
CENG0020-Advanced Safety and Loss Prevention
CENG0023-Advanced Process Optimisation
CENG0024-Fluid-Particle Systems
CENG0027-Molecular Thermodynamics
CENG0033-Advanced Separation Processes
CENG0063 Data Driven Engineering (Taking CENG0023 Advanced Process Optimisation is a prerequisite to enrol onto this module)

Chemical Engineering Optional Breadth Modules
Select at least two modules from the list below.

CENG0026-Energy Systems and Sustainability
CENG0028-Electrochemical Engineering and Power Sources
CENG0029-Nature Inspired Chemical Engineering
CENG0030-Advanced Materials Processes and Nanotechnology
CENG0059 Renewable Energy in the Resources Sector
CENG0060 Integrated Hydrogeology and Sustainable Water Management

Non-Chemical Engineering Optional Modules
Select maximum one module from the list below.

BENG0090-Advanced Bioreactor Engineering
CEGE0015-Environmental Systems
CEGE0016-Financial Aspect of Project Engineering and Contracting
CEGE0022-Water and Wastewater Treatment
MSIN0053-Mastering Entrepreneurship
MSIN0144-Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice
MSIN0179-Project Management for Engineers

DISCLAIMER: Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Also, not all module combinations may be possible due to timetable clashes.

2. Research Route
The Research Route comprises 180 UCL credits and is suitable for students with a first degree in Chemical Engineering or in a cognate discipline such as Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Each student takes a total of nine modules comprising a major project (60 credits) and eight taught modules (120 credits) selected from the list below.

Compulsory Modules

CENG0057-Chemical Process Engineering Research Project
CENG0044-Research Skills: Qualitative
CENG0045-Research Methods: Quantitative

Optional Modules

Chemical Engineering Optional Modules
Select at least four modules from the list below. The maximum number of modules you can select is six.

CENG0018-Chemical Reaction Engineering II
CENG0019-Transport Phenomena II
CENG0020-Advanced Safety and Loss Prevention
CENG0023-Advanced Process Optimisation
CENG0024-Fluid-Particle Systems
CENG0026-Energy Systems and Sustainability
CENG0027-Molecular Thermodynamics
CENG0028-Electrochemical Engineering and Power Sources
CENG0029-Nature Inspired Chemical Engineering
CENG0030-Advanced Materials Processes and Nanotechnology
CENG0033-Advanced Separation Processes
CENG0053-Process Engineering Modelling and Design
CENG0059 Renewable Energy in the Resources Sector
CENG0060 Integrated Hydrogeology and Sustainable Water Management
CENG0063 Data Driven Engineering (Taking CENG0023 Advanced Process Optimisation is a prerequisite to enrol onto this module)

Non-Chemical Engineering Optional Modules
Select maximum two modules from the list below. From the modules offered by the School of Management - i.e., those starting by MSIN - only one can be selected. The minimum number of modules you can select is zero.

BENG0090-Advanced Bioreactor Engineering
CEGE0015-Environmental Systems
CEGE0016-Financial Aspect of Project Engineering and Contracting
CEGE0022-Water and Wastewater Treatment
MSIN0053-Mastering Entrepreneurship
MSIN0144-Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice
MSIN0179-Project Management for Engineers

DISCLAIMER: Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Also, not all module combinations may be possible due to timetable clashes.

Chemical and process engineers play a major role in developing the expertise and technologies behind products we desire or depend on in everyday life; thereby enhancing our standard of living. This programme facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration between scientists and engineers, providing graduates with the advanced training necessary to enter the chemical and related process industries and become independent, self-directed engineers.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a cognate discipline (such as Mechanical or Environmental Engineering, Chemistry and Physics) from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Students gain in-depth knowledge of core chemical engineering subjects and of the advanced use of computers in process design, operation and management. They are trained in hazard identification, quantification and mitigation, as well as in risk management and loss prevention, and also learn how to design advanced energy systems, with emphasis on sustainability, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. Students learn how to make decisions under uncertain scenarios and with limited available data and receive training on how to plan, conduct and manage a complex research project.