Chemical Engineering MEng

Chemical engineers change the world by designing sustainable process routes to supply society with essential products, such as industrial solvents, bulk and fine chemicals including pharmaceuticals, food, clean air and drinking water. Thus, during this course, you will be trained to ensure safe and profitable production of these essentials as you acquire in-depth knowledge in core and advanced areas of Chemical Engineering.

Our MEng program shares the same course content as the BEng Chemical engineering program during the first 3 years. In the additional fourth year of the studies, further optional modules are added to the curriculum, thereby introducing the extra breath as well as depth of subjects required for a masters level programme. These, combined with a research project, enable our MEng students to tailor their learning, try new subject areas and enhance their practical skills.

What you’ll learn

The first three years of the MEng program are completely identical to the BEng. The final year of the MEng program comprises five core modules and three optional modules, to be chosen from seven given opportunities. Of the core modules, the research project carries the highest number of credits and upon completion of the module you will be able to synthesise ideas and generate novel solutions, develop and conduct research in a professional manner with good time and project management skills, record, critically analyse and discuss the results of a research project, and, report research findings in written and verbal formats.

The remaining compulsory modules together with the optional ones will help you make informed career choices and aid your further development as a Chemical Engineering professional.

Modules

Year 1

Core Modules

•    Mathematics for Chemical Engineers
•    Sustainability, Design and Build 
•    Process and Product Design 
•    Introduction to Transfer Processes
•    Physical Chemistry for Engineers
•    Chemistry for Engineers 
•    Professional Skills for Engineers 
•    Introduction to Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Year 2

Core Modules

•    Process Design 
•    Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
•    Mass Transfer
•    Separation Processes in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
•    Process Simulation and Control
•    Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
•    Reaction Engineering 
•    Introduction to Business Management 

Year 3 / 4

Year 3 - Optional placement year

See placement year section or find out more about the Aston placement year.

•    EPS Study Placement Year 
•    EPS Industrial Placement Year 
•    EPS Study/Work Placement Year

Year 3 / 4

Core Modules

•    Advanced Process Design 
•    Process Safety and Sustainability
•    Advanced Reaction Engineering 
•    Advanced Separation Processes 

Optional Modules (choose 2)

•    Advances in Biomaterials Science 
•    Renewable Technologies
•    Process Computation
•    Biotechnology and Bioprocessing 
•    Environmental Chemistry I

Final Year 

Core Modules

•    Research Project
•    Advanced Mass Transfer 
•    Project Management 

Optional Modules (choose 3)

•    Advanced Process Simulation and Control
•    Industrial Catalysis
•    Computational Fluid Dynamics for Chemical Engineering Design 
•    Downstream Processing for Biotechnology Products 
•    Advanced Renewable Technologies 
•    Petroleum Engineering
•    Advanced Particle Technologies 

In your final year you will undertake a major research project and a sustainability project to gain your MEng status. 

Accreditation

Our MEng course is accredited by our professional engineering body, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). Accreditation means that the course meets the criteria set out by IChemE, which puts you a step forward on the path to acquiring Chartered Chemical Engineer status.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, it’s also a great place to live.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability and our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Choosing to start your Aston journey with one of our foundation programmes will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey. We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programmes.

Typical offers:

A Levels

• ABB to include Chemistry and Maths at minimum Grade B 
   
• BBB to include Chemistry and Maths at minimum Grade B (with an EPQ or Core Maths at Grade B)
   
• BBC to include Chemistry and Maths at minimum Grade B (contextual offers*) 

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

BTEC

• Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (any subject): DDM, plus 2 A-levels in Chemistry and Mathematics at minimum Grade B.
   
• National Diploma and Diploma (any subject): DM, plus 2 A-levels in Chemistry and Mathematics at minimum Grade B.
   
• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM, plus 2 A-levels in Chemistry and Mathematics at minimum Grade B.
   
• National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M, plus 2 A-levels in Chemistry and Mathematics at minimum Grade B.
   
• Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted

IB

• 32 overall points and above with 6, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects including Chemistry and Maths at Grade 5.

Access & other

Access to Higher Education

Subject related Access with at least 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at Level 3 including at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Mathematics and at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Chemistry.

 
Non-standard qualifications
 
Degree: 
 

• Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 65% overall and 120 credits  on an equivalent programme at another recognised university. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.

T Levels

T Levels are not currently accepted as an entry requirement for this course.

Students completing T levels in 2022
T levels in the following subjects are not accepted for entry to this course: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare.  Please note that where a T level is listed as 'Not acceptable' this is because the T level does not cover subject specific knowledge that we normally require at A level.  If you have taken both a T level and an additional A level or A levels please consult the admissions team for advice in relation to any degrees where T levels are listed as 'not accepted.'

Students completing T levels in 2023 and beyond
There are now an additional seven T Level qualifications in: building services; engineering for construction; digital business services; digital support and services; health; healthcare science; onsite construction and science. The first student cohorts from these subjects will complete their courses in the summer of 2023. We will publish details of the progression opportunities to our degree programmes from these T Levels by September 2022.

GCSEs

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

Maths Grade C/4 and English Grade C/4

Our Admissions Policy

View our Admissions Policy

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above).

Entry onto our Foundation Year may be offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

International students

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.

Our delivery methods for teaching are varied. They include conventional lectures and tutorials, team and individual project work, plant visits, laboratory practical work and specialist guidance from consultants working in industry.

Your practical training will include working in chemical and process laboratories and being part of exciting projects, such as design, build and, after testing, putting into operation of a nuclear reactor control system.

In the final year of the MEng program you will carry out a year-long research project. This will be laboratory or computer based, or a combination of the two and will be directly supervised by a member of the academic staff. These research projects are directly related to cutting edge research carried out by the academics and can be also sponsored by industry.

Your learning process will be monitored continuously by a variety of assessments, which include a combination of written examinations or class tests, online class tests, coursework, project reports, technical reports and oral presentations. And we will always provide you with timely feedback to help you achieve the best that you can, while you are with us.

Alongside these practical skills, you will utilise advanced software packages to create drawings for industrial scale processes and to simulate the operation of chemical and biochemical plants. Finally, our students have the chance to experience how industrial scale equipment looks and operates with visits and activities based in our on-site pilot scale plant.

In your final year, you will spend much of your time working alongside your lecturers in our research labs, working on a cutting edge question in science and using advanced equipment and facilities.

More information

* The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as Home students.
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/student-support-in-england

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

In addition to the traditional oil and chemical-based companies, you will be well equipped to work in a wide range of industries including food & beverage, sustainable energy, waste management, pharmaceuticals, as well as consultancy firms, IT and banking. Furthermore, your MEng degree will enable you to take on leadership roles, managing teams of other engineers and scientists, and handling large projects and budgets.

Our Chemical Engineering graduates have a strong track record in securing graduate roles, reflecting the full range of skills they acquire during their degree. Recent examples of graduate destinations for Chemical Engineering students include Procter and Gamble, BP, ExxonMobil, Unilever, the National Grid, Atkins, British Sugar, Smurfit Kappa, BAE Systems, Heineken and HSBC.

Choosing to study Chemical engineering at Aston, will put you at the heart of a creative and career-focused culture, with a vibrant teaching team, ready to start your life-changing career.

Why study Chemical Engineering at Aston?

If you’re interested in a career in industry or commerce, using a combination of chemistry and engineering, this course will give you the necessary academic knowledge and understanding as well as practical skills if you choose to take an optional year in industry.  

What will I be doing on the Chemical Engineering course at Aston?

You will be learning through a variety of means from conventional lectures and tutorials, to project team and individual work, plant visits, lab work and specialist supervision from consultants working in industry. 

Why should I take a year out in industry? 

Our excellent links with the chemical industry allow you to test and expand your knowledge, skills and understanding through a paid placement. Placements provide integrated industrial and professional training, often in a position of responsibility, in areas such as the design, development, commissioning or operation of a chemical plant.   

We will help you arrange your placement and provide opportunities for you to visit companies, undertake commercial project work and compete for sponsorships and prizes. 

Does accreditation matter?

Yes. Accredited engineering degrees offer students, their parents and advisors, and employers a mark of assurance that the degree programme meets the standards expected by the engineering profession.

Accredited degrees also give confidence that the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for registration with a professional engineering institution have been met.
 
You can find out more about this here: https://www.engc.org.uk/acad

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live. 

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.  

Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course.