Chemical engineers contribute to society by helping to manage resources, protecting the environment and controlling health and safety procedures.
If you have an aptitude and fascination for how the physical world works, are interested in how chemical reactions and the physical properties of matter can be harnessed to create world-changing technologies, and want to contribute positively to making the life of the human race better, then you should consider Chemical Engineering.
This programme is studied on campus.
Chemical engineering is concerned with manipulating the chemical, biochemical or physical state of substances in order to convert raw materials into products in a safe and cost-effective manner. For example, petrol, plastics and the synthetic fibres which make up much of our clothing are all derived from oil which is extracted from the ground as a mixture of oil, water and gas.
Our MEng/BEng Chemical Engineering degrees deliver the learning outcomes required of any general chemical engineering degree programme giving our graduates the opportunity to find employment across the broad spectrum of chemical engineering employers. Our location in Aberdeen, the energy capital of Europe, and our engagement with local industry means that our students have the opportunity to engage with the local upstream oil and gas industry from the moment they commence their studies.
The University has embarked on a major programme of refurbishing and upgrading the facilities. This has seen the addition of a new dedicated chemical engineering teaching laboratory and the development of state-of-the-art computing & learning spaces within the School of Engineering.
The first two years cover general Engineering, with elements of Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum and Electrical/Electronics, as well as Civil. In the later years you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth. You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin third year.
It is possible to move between MEng and BEng and this can be accomplished at any point until the second half session of fourth year. Successful BEng candidates will be offered the chance to change to the MEng and there is no quota, meaning that if grade requirements are met that transfer is guaranteed.
This course, which is prescribed for level 1 students and optional for level 2 students, is studied entirely online and covers topics relating to careers and employability, equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing. During the course you will learn about the Aberdeen Graduate Attributes, how they are relevant to you and the opportunities available to develop your skills and attributes alongside your University studies. You will also gain an understanding of equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing issues. Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’ (non-completion will be recorded as ‘Not Achieved’). The course takes approximately 3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks and it will be available to you throughout the academic year.This course, which is prescribed for level 1 students and optional for level 2 students and above, is studied entirely online and covers topics relating to careers and employability, equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing. During the course you will learn about the Aberdeen Graduate Attributes, how they are relevant to you and the opportunities available to develop your skills and attributes alongside your University studies. You will also gain an understanding of equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing issues. Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’ (non-completion will be recorded as ‘Not Achieved’). The course takes approximately 3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks and it will be available to you throughout the academic year
The aim of the course is to introduce basic concepts of electrical & electronics within a context of general engineering. The topics covered are kept at an elementary level with the aim of providing the foundational material for subsequent courses at levels 1 and 2. The course adopts the philosophy of application oriented teaching. During each topic the students will be provided with examples of day-to-day devices. Topics covered include dc circuit analysis, electronic amplifiers, digital circuits, optoelectronics, and ac theory.
The course is designed to introduce the students to different methods of communication in the process of interchanging ideas and information. Oral presentation and writing of technical reports are introduced. The importing data from web-based and library-based sources will be integrated through information retrieval and investigative skills training. Professional ethics are covered on plagiarism, copyright and intellectual property. Engineering drawing skills and knowledge of relevant British and International Standards will be developed through intensive training in the use of computer aided design and modelling package, SolidWorks. Standard drawing formats including 3D depiction of stand alone parts and assemblies are covered.
Engineering design depends on materials being shaped, finished and joined together. Design requirements define the performance required of the materials. What do engineers need to know about materials to choose and use them successfully? They need a perspective of the world of materials. They need understanding of material properties. They need methods and tools to select the right material for the job. This course will help you develop knowledge and skills required for the successful selection and use of engineering materials.
Chemistry plays a central role in modern science and engineering, not only because of the insights it gives on the composition, properties, and reactivity of matter but also because of its wide-ranging applications. This course seeks to consolidate some of the important fundamentals of chemistry that underlie many topics and principles across the physical sciences and engineering, bringing together molecular structure, reaction mechanisms, the driving forces behind chemical reactions, and methods of chemical analysis and structure determination.
Workshops and laboratory classes complement lectures by consolidating learning and developing problem-solving and hands-on practical skills.The course presents fundamental mathematical ideas useful in the study of Engineering. A major focus of the course is on differential and integral calculus. Applications to Engineering problems involving rates of change and averaging processes are emphasized. Complex numbers are introduced and developed. The course provides the necessary mathematical background for other engineering courses in level 2.
Engineering Mechanics is concerned with the state of rest or motion of objects subject to the action of forces. The topic is divided into two parts: STATICS which considers the equilibrium of objects which are either at rest or move at a constant velocity, and DYNAMICS which deals with the motion and associated forces of accelerating bodies. The former is particularly applied to beams and truss structures. The latter includes a range of applications, such as car suspension systems, motion of a racing car, missiles, vibration isolation systems, and so on.
Topics covered can include Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Chemistry, Transport Processes, Fluids and Thermodynamics, Solids and Structures, Electronic Systems, Geology, Electrical and Mechanical Systems and Design & Computing.
This course covers key concepts in physical chemistry which underpin our understanding and ability to control chemical and biological processes. The principal points include thermodynamics (enthalpy, entropy and free energies), chemical kinetics (zero, 1st and 2nd order reactions, rate laws and half-lives and the relationship of rate laws to reaction mechanisms), and basic principles of electrochemistry (redox chemistry and the Nernst equation). A strong emphasis on calculations helps students get to grips with the course material and develops numeracy skills. Laboratory experiments support and complement the taught material.
The fluid mechanics section of the course begins with the material properties of fluids. This is followed by studying fluid statics and principles of fluid motion. Bernoulli’s equation is used to explain the relationship between pressure and velocity. The final fluids section introduces the students to incompressible flow in pipelines.
The thermodynamics section presents: the gas laws, including Van Der Waals’ equation; the first law of thermodynamics with work done, heat supply, and the definitions of internal energy and enthalpy. The second law is introduced including entropy through the Carnot cycle.
A general engineering course that provides insight into the two main conservation principles, mass and energy. Processes are usually described through block diagrams. This language, common to many disciplines in engineering, helps the engineer to look at their processes with an analytical view. Degree of freedom analysis is addressed, emphasising its importance to solve a set of linear equations that model fundamental balances of mass. Practical examples of Energy balances are displayed, bringing Thermodynamics to a practical level. Heat Transfer is introduced. Process control is introduced, explaining basic control techniques and concepts, i.e sensors, feedback, control loops and PID controllers.
This course follows Engineering Mathematics 1 in introducing all the mathematical objects and techniques needed by engineers. It has three parts:
Modern organic and biological chemistry comprise the chemistry of carbon-containing compounds, which are natural (e.g. foods, fuel, perfumes) as well as synthetic (e.g. soaps, textile fabrics, pharmaceuticals). This course investigates some key areas in organic chemistry: shape, conformation, stereochemistry, and chemical properties of organic and biological compounds. Reactions and reactivity of aliphatic derivatives, olefins and aromatic compounds will be considered with particular reference to spatial and electronic effects. The experiments performed in the lab will help students understand key organic concepts and develop their synthetic/analytical skills.
A general engineering course that provides an insight into the principles of engineering design process, computer programming in MATLAB and its application in parametric study and basic design optimisation, environmental ethics and sustainability in the context of design, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) using Solidworks. The course also includes hands-on exercises on the manufacture of simple parts using a variety of machine tools and joining processes.
This course provides students with an integrated development of methods for modelling, analysing and designing systems comprising electrical and mechanical components. In doing so it intends to emphasise to the students the similarity in behaviour between electrical and mechanical systems. The course aims to give an introduction to both electrical machines, circuit and systems, transformers, and similar mechanical systems like gearbox, vibrating system and principles of dynamics, and thus provide the foundation material for several courses at level 3 .
In year 3, you have the opportunity to study from a range of courses leading to specialisation in your chosen discipline. This is also the point at which a final decision between MEng and BEng must be made.
Modern engineering analysis relies on a wide range of analytical mathematical methods and computational techniques in order to solve a wide range of problems. The aim of this course is to equip students with the necessary skills to quantitatively investigate engineering problems. Examples applying the methods taught to practical situations from across the full range of engineering disciplines will feature heavily in the course.
The course begins with dimensional analysis and the concept of dynamic similarity applied to fluid flow phenomena. This is followed by sections on the energy and momentum equations applied to a range of problems in civil, mechanical, chemical and petroleum engineering, including steady flow in pipes, design of pump-pipeline systems, cavitation, forces on bends, nozzles and solid bodies, turbomachinery and propellor theory. A section on unsteady flow applies inertia and water hammer theory to the calculation of pressure surge in pipes. The final section deals with flow through porous media such as flow through soils and rocks.
The course aims to give a thorough treatment of the real PVT behaviour exhibited by multicomponent, multiphase systems by giving candidates the knowledge required to determine: a) the heat and/or work required to bring about a given change of state; b) the change of state resulting from a transfer of energy in the form of heat and/or work, or as a result of a chemical reaction. To build on the knowledge of process simulation gained in Level 2 and emphasize, in examples and laboratories, the importance of selecting an appropriate fluid package.
This course focuses on applied momentum, heat, and mass transport in engineering problems. It demonstrates how fundamental design equations can be derived for a wide range of real engineering problems (e.g. nuclear fuel rods, coal combustion, radiation shielding, electrical heaters, toothpaste etc). This course makes it clear that engineering is the art of applying mathematics to the real world and develops the tools required to tackle a wide range of challenges.
The analytical results of transport phenomena are demonstrated in simple systems before discussing more complex systems, such as multiphase flow, which require the use of semi-empirical correlations to solve.
To course aims to provide students with an awareness of purpose, principals, fundamental concepts and strategies of safety and project management.
Starting from previously attained knowledge and understanding of equilibrium, kinetics, thermochemistry and material and energy balancing on reactive processes, the course sets about developing skills in the design and sizing of industrial chemical reactors. Batch and continuous reactors of different types are covered with design equations being derived from fist principles for a variety of systems with different degrees of complexity. The course focuses on homogeneous reactions, design for single and parallel reactions, reactor modelling for non-ideal flow, temperature and pressure effects and chemical reaction process safety. Other elements of chemical reaction engineering are introduced.
This course covers the fundamental concepts of equilibrium and rate-based analysis of separation processes, and gives examples of relevant separation processes. It introduces the concept and analysis of a unit operation as applied to separation processes and demonstrates the analysis of relevant separation processes by applying mass and energy balance methods.
A series of team and individual design exercises are used to develop a transcendence of understanding and problem solving across the elements of core chemical engineering and general engineering covered thus far in the degree programme. Designs may include gas processing, fluid storage and transport, heat transfer, separation unit operations etc. The course is supported by industry in that some of the designs are developed in collaboration with industry and the course ends with a field trip to an industrial processing plant.
This course aims to develop students? ability in process simulation, broadly, in two areas: 1) the use of commercially available steady-state process simulation engines; 2) the development of process models and simulations from first principles using other applications such as Matlab, MathCad and Excel. In achieving these aims, the course will allow students to further develop their skillset in Process Thermodynamics, Process Analysis and Chemical Engineering Computer Applications.
Year 4 of the programme varies depending on whether or not you have chosen to go down the BEng or MEng route.
To provide the student with the opportunity of pursuing a substantial and realistic research project in the practice of engineering at or near a professional level, and to further enhance the student's critical and communication skills. The project will usually be carried out at the University of Aberdeen but may be carried out at industry or other research location.
The aim of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the industrial relevance of common biochemical processes and to allow them to model, analyse, and design such systems.
This course introduces the fundamentals of microbiology and biochemistry, the main cell constituents, DNA, RNA, enzymes, membranes. The kinetics of enzymatic reaction and of microbial growth is reviewed. The mass and heat transfer theory developed as part of other courses is applied to biochemical process. The design methodology for biochemical processes is described. Typical biochemical processes are described, including beer, whisky, penicillin, monoclonal antibody, wastewater treatment
To build on the introduction to safety provided in previous years and move towards developing a transcendence of knowledge regarding how the core process engineering fundamentals such as material and energy balancing, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid flow and reaction engineering underpin process safety from a systems perspective.
This course focuses on the fundamental principles of control theory and the practice of automatic process control. The basic concepts involved in process control are then introduced, including the elements of control systems, feedback/forward control, block diagrams, and transfer functions. The mathematical techniques required for the analysis of process control are covered, focussing on Laplace Transform analysis. Development to more general situations is made through the study of second order systems and the application of compensation including PID control. The control theory developed is applied to a range of chemical engineering problems using simulation tools.
Separation processes are essential to many industries including pharmaceutical and chemical industries, e.g. once the drug molecules are synthesised in a reactor they need to be separated in pure form from other by-products before they can be used. This course adds breadth to students' curriculum in the core area of separation processes. Familiarises students with particulate solids and characterisation. Further, provides a broad knowledge and understanding of physical separation processes including filtration, sedimentation, centrifugation. By the end students should have a knowledge and understanding of an ability to analyse design a wide variety of physical separation unit operations
This course introduces the water cycle and the need for wastewater treatment. Biological wastewater treatment is covered in detail with focus on: activated sludge process for carbon and nitrogen removal and anaerobic digestion. Chemical-physical processes for wastewater and wastegas treatment are also covered in detail: adsorption, stripping, chemical precipitation, chemical oxidation, membrane processes. The course focuses on process design based on mass balance and kinetics.
The course aims to provide understanding of main principles and techniques underpinning computational fluid dynamics (CFD) combining numerical methods with practical experience using appropriate software. The course develops a foundation for understanding, developing and analysing successful simulations of fluid flows applicable to a broad range of applications.
Students will examine the societal grand challenges of water, food, medicine and energy (electricity and heat) to thread together the themes of environment, sustainability and ethics.
The course also aims to provide graduates with a versatile framework for evaluating and developing business models which should prove invaluable for both potential entrepreneurs and future senior executives.
The aim of the course is to give students a theoretical and practical understanding of the main technologies and unit operations involved in upstream oil and gas processing. The key aspects of process safety are also covered to provide the basis for developing safe and operable systems.
Ever wondered how Excel is able to draw an optimal line through a set of points? This course looks at how typical engineering problems that cannot be described mathematically (or are difficult to do so) can be solved so that the optimal solution is found. The course contains a range of examples to show how the techniques are applied to real world problems in different engineering disciplines. The course will show how to develop computational algorithms from scratch, with a fundamental understanding of how the algorithms function, both mathematically and then in real time on a computer.
Real-life contemporary engineering projects and challenges invariably require inputs from, and collaboration amongst, multiple disciplines. Furthermore, legal and economic aspects, as well as safety, team work and project management must also be successfully navigated through. This course enables students to immerse themselves in a realistic, multidisciplinary, multifaceted and complex team design project that will draw on their previous specialist learning and also enable gaining and practicing new skills of direct relevance to their professional career.
The course aims to give students knowledge and understanding of how larger process systems behave and are operated and controlled, with a focus being put on safety aspects. Specific cases across the safety hierarchy (basic and advanced process control, alarm systems, emergency shutdown and interlocks, safety relief) are addressed.
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
The typical time spent in scheduled learning activities (lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals), independent self-study or placement is shown for each year of the programme based on the most popular course choices selected by students.
The typical percentage of assessment methods broken down by written examination, coursework or practical exams is shown for each year of the programme based on the most popular course choices selected by students.
Note: An SQA Higher or GCE A Level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry is required for entry to year 1, in addition to the general engineering requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Please note: entry requirements are different for 2018 and 2019 entry.
MEng 1st year entry
4H at AABB - AB in Mathematics and Physics/Engineering Science. If applicant presents with H in Engineering Science instead of Physics, Mathematics must be A grade
3 A Levels at ABB. AB required in Mathematics and Physics or a B in Design and Technology or a B in Engineering. If applicant presents with B in Physics, Design and Technology or Engineering, Mathematics must be A grade. GCSE English at C.
Entry requirements for 2019 will be displayed here shortly.
Further detailed entry requirements for Engineering degrees.
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 54 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 51; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
For international students (all non-EU students) the tuition fee charged upon entry will apply to all years of study; however, most international students will be eligible for a fee waiver in their final year via the International Undergraduate Scholarship.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home / EU | £1,820 |
| All Students | |
| RUK | £9,250 |
| Students Admitted in 2018/19 Academic Year | |
| International Students | £18,400 |
| Students Admitted in 2018/19 Academic Year |
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
If you have an aptitude and fascination for how the physical world works, are interested in how chemical reactions and the physical properties of matter can be harnessed to create world changing technologies, and want to contribute positively to making the life of the human race better and to the development of a sustainable environment, then you should consider chemical engineering as a career choice.
Chemical Engineers are employed across a broad spectrum of industries including: Energy; Water; Pharmaceuticals; Food & Drink; Oil & Gas; Fast Moving Consumer Goods; Agrochemicals, fine chemicals & petrochemicals; Mining & Minerals; Biotechnology; Management; Consultancy; Environmental Protection; Safety.
More - www.whynotchemeng.com
According to your choice of curriculum, our MEng Honours degree is an accredited five-year Honours programme satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Energy Institute or by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The BEng Honours degree is an accredited four year Honours degree programme partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) while it fully meets the educational base for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration.
Our courses in Chemical Engineering are taught by experts in their field. Your teachers will include, among others:
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Scotland's number 1 School of General Engineering, 10th in the UK
If you're studying a chemical engineering (or a related subject) at undergraduate level you can join online and start enjoying the benefits of Student Membership today.
Find out more
We work closely with Aberdeen Young Members IChemE group to organise networking events, careers workshops and technical presentations from graduates working in the industry.
Find out more
Graeme Brown and Heather Watson worked on the Shah Deniz project at BP in summer 2016. Graeme completed a Process Safety Engineering internship and Heather completed a Petroleum Engineering internship.
Different opportunities are available each year
1st in Scotland 3rd in the UK for graduate engineering employability (Guardian League Tables, 2016/17)
Unistats draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.
