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Masters in Chemical Engineering
Find postgrad programs in CHEMICAL ENGINEERINGA masters in chemical engineering is a great way to get ahead on your career. Chemical engineering is an applied chemistry, an engineering branch which deals with the design, operation and construction of machines and plants that help to perform chemical reactions with an end result of helping solve problems or make products that will be useful.
What is a chemical engineer?
A chemical engineer is an individual who uses sciences such as math, physics and economics to solve problems of a technical nature. If you think this sounds like those with a masters degree in chemical engineering take on a wide variety of roles, you would be correct. Because the scientific and technical mastery of chemical engineers is so broad, they are often also known as universal engineers. A few of the aspects that chemical engineering applies to are various biological processes, the study and creation of fuel cells, studying and preventing the effects of corrosion and nanotechnology.
The main difference between chemical engineers and those who follow other branches of engineering is that chemical engineers apply their knowledge of chemistry in addition to other engineering disciplines. For example, on the surface, a cell and an oil refinery are very different, but a person with a masters in chemical engineering learns to see and focus on how these are actually similar. This enables the chemical engineer to improve the methods used to transform materials and ingredients into desirable products.
What does a chemical engineer do?
Once you've completed your postgraduate masters degree in chemical engineering, it's time to get out there in the real world and apply your knowledge. There is a wide variety of jobs available for chemical engineers.
Some chemical engineers design and invent new chemical processes, while others help to construct or design instruments and facilities. A few areas that chemical engineers have helped in include atomic science, the development of polymers, the design of drugs, the creation of biofuels and various parts of food production.
In almost any field in where products can be made from raw materials or one material can be converted into another useful form, you will find chemical engineers. You can even find a position in various niches, such as improving the efficiency of various processes or making them more environmentally friendly.
The choices and opportunities for a chemical engineer are many and varied.
What skills will help in chemical engineering?
In order to become a chemical engineer, there are certain skills and personal qualities you must develop in order to become a successful chemical engineer. Skills that should be developed include science and maths skills. You should also concentrate on improving your writing and oral presentation skills, plus problem-solving is a huge part of being a chemical engineer.
Also, because you are often going to be working on a team, you will want to work on your ability to work with others as well as your people skills. On a personal level, you will need to develop patience. Because of the nature of the field, you will also want to make sure you can pay great attention to even the smallest details.
Assertiveness is also a quality you will find useful in your day-to-day functions as a chemical engineer.
Entry requirements for a masters in chemical engineering
While entry requirements in a postgraduate chemical engineering program may differ between universities and faculties, most will require high knowledge and grades in a relevant degree such as maths, chemistry or physics. If you are an international student, you will also need a good IELTS and TOEFL iBT score. As always, you will want to check with your chosen university to determine exactly what they require.
On average, it takes enrolment in a four-year program to obtain a masters in chemical engineering, and this can include undergraduate time as well as postgraduate duration. During that period, not only will the student participate in classroom activities, but in most cases, the student will also gain practical experience in a work environment geared towards teaching him or her how their postgraduate chemical engineering degree may apply in the real world.
Once there, the training isn’t always over, as chemical engineers, like many other fields, can go on to train in different specialisms, like oil and renewables.
Masters degrees in chemical engineering
So, you’re interested in getting your masters in chemical engineering but aren’t sure where to look. At Postgrad.com, we have almost 400 courses available all over the world for you to look into and see which one fits into your future.
The University of Aberdeen’s MSc in Chemistry for Sustainable Energy is a great option for those who want to study at an established university with a highly recommended course. Compulsory modules a student can expect to study include:
- Hydrogen and the Circular Economy
- Renewables
- Professional Skills
- Battery Technology
Before moving on to projects in the second and third trimester.
Alternatively, there’s Swansea University’s MSc in Chemical Engineering, which has students develop their skills in six different modules, including:
- Engineering Business Management
- Advanced Water Processing
- Sustainable and Societal Engineering
KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden offers an MSc in Chemical Engineering for Energy and Environment, which teaches students how to apply knowledge and skills in chemistry and chemical engineering, analyse, gather necessary information for the formulation of the research problem, as well as carry out experimental and/or theoretical treatment of the task. This course also allows students to work on a ten-week project, as opposed to attending lessons.
Meanwhile, Technical University of Denmark’s MSc in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering focuses on:
- Innovation in Engineering
- Chemical and Biochemical Product Design
- Applied Enzyme Technology and Kinetics
There is also the opportunity to specialise in:
- Chemical and Biochemical Process Technology
- Chemical and Biochemical Product Engineering
- Energy and Environmental Engineering
- Fermentation-Based Manufacturing (FBM).
Any one of these courses can offer a prospective student something different, be it the biochemical aspect or sustainable energy.
Chemical engineering job prospects
According to the University of Surrey, there is currently a shortfall of engineers in the UK. This could be caused by recruitment issues, per the IET Skills Survey 2021. While able to recruit people to the sector, it’s finding those with the right skillset that has become a problem, as chemical engineers are highly sought after but aren’t typically found in abundance on the jobs market.
Sought by specialised, chemical industries that manufacture high-value-added products, chemical engineers, on average, earn more than any other engineering discipline, which could account for the small rise in graduates in 2024.
Figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) revealed that 2,685 students accepted places on UK chemical, process and energy engineering courses within that year, up from 2,425 in 2023. Applications were also up 6% in 2023 and then again by 17% in 2024, with 2025 also showing a positive application trajectory.
Jo Cox, head of young people’s and student engagement at IChemE, said in The Chemical Engineer: “We are delighted to see this increase in applications and offers, which clearly demonstrates the combined impact of the DiscoverChemEng campaign, the schools engagement work of many IChemE members, and the outreach activities of the universities themselves, particularly through their widening participation schemes.”
Regardless of which field you go into after you graduate, you are certain to have a fulfilling job that will help to make the world a better place in some way. In addition, because the field of chemical engineering is so broad, you should have plenty of opportunities to choose from when deciding what field or what company to work for.
There is a high demand for chemical engineers in the UK, which is good news if you plan to live and work here after you have completed your studies, as it should be relatively easy to find a job after graduating. On average, chemical engineering graduates can command a starting annual salary of around £30,000 to £38,000 per year, depending on their specialism.
If it’s the energy market, you could earn approximately £85,000, according to the Institution of Chemical Engineering. In addition to domestic opportunities, postgraduate chemical engineering graduates who are looking to perhaps work internationally will find that even in other countries, they will be in high demand.
Chemical engineering is a great field to get into, and it is projected that demand for chemical engineers will only grow in the next several years. A career in chemical engineering is one that is fulfilling, challenging, in-demand, and pays well.
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