Advanced Chemical Engineering

The MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering at Cranfield University is a comprehensive and industry-focused program designed to equip graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills essential for leadership roles in the chemical, process, and related industries. This course offers a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical fundamentals with real-world applications, preparing students to address complex engineering challenges in areas such as process design, optimisation, safety, sustainability, and innovation.

Throughout the programme, students will engage with cutting-edge topics including process modelling and simulation, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, process control, and environmental considerations. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and technological expertise, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the chemical engineering sector. The programme emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory work, industry projects, and case studies, enabling students to apply their knowledge in practical contexts and gain valuable industry experience.

Cranfield’s close links with industry partners provide students with opportunities for networking, internships, and collaborative projects, facilitating a smooth transition into the professional world. The MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering also aims to develop management skills, teamwork, and communication competencies, recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in modern engineering environments. Students will benefit from the expertise of faculty members who are active researchers and industry professionals, ensuring the curriculum remains current and relevant.

Graduates of this programme will be equipped with the skills to innovate and improve processes, contribute to sustainable development, and lead technological advancements within their organizations. The programme’s flexible structure allows for specialization in areas such as process safety, energy integration, or other niche fields, aligning education with industry needs and individual career goals. Overall, the MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering at Cranfield provides a challenging and rewarding educational experience that prepares students to excel as professional engineers and leaders in the global chemical engineering community.

The taught programme is delivered from October to February and is comprised of eight modules. The modules are delivered over one week of intensive delivery with the later part of the module being free from structured teaching to allow time for more independent learning and reflection. Students on the part-time programme will complete all of the modules based on a flexible schedule that will be agreed with the Course Director.

Group project

The Group Project, undertaken between February and April, enables you to put the skills and knowledge developed during the course modules into practice in an applied context, while gaining transferable skills in project management, teamwork and independent research. Projects are often supported by industry and potential future employers value this experience. The group project is normally multidisciplinary and shared across the Energy MSc programme, giving the added benefit of working with students with other backgrounds.

Each group is given an industrially relevant problem to solve. During the project you will develop a range of skills including learning how to establish team member roles and responsibilities, project management, and delivering technical presentations. At the end of the project, all groups submit a written report and deliver a poster presentation to industry partners. This presentation provides the opportunity to develop presentation skills and effectively handle questions about complex issues in a professional manner.

Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a Group Project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the Course Director.

Recent Group Projects include:

• Design appraisal for a large scale anaerobic digestion plant for treatment of organic residue from municipal waste
• Study of bio-conversion processes for biofuel production from Algae biomass
• Fuel cell technology coupled with dry reforming of biogas
• Performance Analysis and Technical Evaluation of Micro Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) Systems for Domestic Applications
• Utilising biomass-derived fuels for CHP generation
• Improving the quality of products generated from Mixed Plastic Waste
• Conversion of consumer waste plastic into new plastics
• Engineering Assessment of Alternative Greenhouse Gas Removal Technologies
• Optimal Design for Hydrogen Combustion Burners in a Domestic Setting
• Design specification of pilot scale 142 kWth air/rock

Individual project

The individual research project allows students to investigate deeper into an area of specific interest. It is very common for industrial partners to put forward real world problems or areas of development as potential research project topics. The individual research project component takes place between May and September.

If agreed with the Course Director, part-time students have the opportunity to undertake projects in collaboration with their place of work, which would be supported by academic supervision.

Individual research projects undertaken may involve feasibility assessments, reviews, practical evaluations, designs, simulations, and experimental investigations.

Previous individual research projects include:

• Microwave-assisted hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae.
• Co-pyrolysis of biomass and oil sand bitumen.
• Production of a H2-rich gas from steam gasification of biomass with CO2 removal.
• Techno-economic analysis of hydrogen production from steam gasification of fast pyrolysis bio-oil.
• Co-upgrading of heavy oil and bio-oil: synergies and challenges of the technology.
• Design and simulation of a process plant to obtain jet fuel from microalgae biomass.
• Design of a lab scale setup for Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) of Isochorysis and Pavlova, algae species and analysis of the products obtained from the process
• Comparison of microalgae biomass production using organic manure and anaerobic digestate organic fertilisers as nutrient sources
• Algem™ - Developing multi-parametric simulations of global microalgae productivity
• Developing a technology platform for large scale ultrasonic-assisted extraction of chemicals from olive mill waste.

Assessment

Taught Modules 40%, Group Project 20%, Individual Research Project 40%

University Disclaimer

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory modules and (where applicable) some elective modules affiliated with this programme which ran in the academic year 2018–2019. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2019 entry. All modules are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

Biorefining route compulsory modules

• Principles of Chemical Processes
• Principles of Renewable Energy Technologies
• Energy from Biomass and Waste: Thermochemical Processes
• Evaluating Sustainability through Lifecycle Approaches
• Process Design and Simulation 
• Pilot Plant Operations
• Biofuels and Biorefining Processes
• Management for Technology

General route compulsory modules

• Principles of Chemical Processes
• Advanced Control Systems
• Process Plant Operations
• Thermal Systems Operation and Design
• Process Design and Simulation 
• Pilot Plant Operations
• Heat and Power Generation Systems
• Management for Technology

A first or second class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in a related engineering or applied science. Other recognised professional qualifications or several years relevant industrial experience may be accepted as equivalent; subject to approval by the Course Director.

Applicants who do not fulfil the standard entry requirements can apply for the Pre-Masters programme, successful completion of which will qualify them for entry to this course for a second year of study.

English Language

If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. Our minimum requirements are as follows:

• IELTS Academic - 6.5 overall
• TOEFL - 92
• Pearson PTE Academic - 65
• Cambridge English Scale - 180
• Cambridge English: Advanced - C
• Cambridge English: Proficiency - C
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English III - minimum overall score of pass

In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.

We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date). Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test. Applicants who do not already meet the English language entry requirement for their chosen Cranfield course can apply to attend one of our Presessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. We offer Winter/Spring and Summer programmes each year to offer holders

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The Cranfield University offers multiple funding options for students enrolled in the Advanced Chemical Engineering postgraduate programmes. Prospective students are encouraged to explore several sources of financial support to assist with tuition fees and living costs. Scholarships and bursaries are available for outstanding applicants, including the Cranfield Trust Scholarship, which awards financial assistance based on academic merit and potential. Additionally, students may be eligible for government loans, such as the UK Student Loans or international student funding schemes, depending on their nationality and residency status. Cranfield University also provides various regional and industry-sponsored bursaries aimed at supporting students from diverse backgrounds. Many students access external funding from professional bodies, industry partners, and charitable organizations, which recognize the value of advanced chemical engineering expertise. The university’s financial aid office offers comprehensive guidance on applying for loans, scholarships, and bursaries, ensuring students can make informed decisions about their financing options. Students are advised to start their funding applications early, as some awards have strict deadlines and specific eligibility criteria. The cost of studying includes tuition fees, which vary depending on the specific programme and student status, as well as associated living expenses in the Cranfield area. Overall, Cranfield University strives to make advanced chemical engineering education accessible through a variety of financial support mechanisms, enabling talented students to pursue their academic and professional ambitions without undue financial hardship.

Your career

Industry driven research makes our graduates some of the most desirable in the world for recruitment by companies competing in a range of industries, including chemicals, petrochemicals, biochemicals, conventional energy and bioenergy, food, materials, consultancy and management.

Those wishing to continue their education via PhD or MBA studies in the chemical or energy sectors will be greatly facilitated by the interdisciplinary, project-oriented profile that they will have acquired through this course.