Loughborough University

What you'll study

This masters develops advanced theoretical understanding and practical skills across core areas of chemical engineering. Teaching typically combines compulsory core modules with option choices and a substantial individual project or dissertation.

• Core topics — advanced transport phenomena, reaction engineering and kinetics, separation processes and mass transfer, thermodynamics for process design, and process dynamics and control.
• Modelling and optimisation — process simulation, numerical methods, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applied to reactors and separations, and process systems engineering including optimisation and life-cycle assessment.
• Sustainability and specialised technologies — low‑carbon energy systems, catalysis and reactor design, membrane technologies, bioprocessing and materials for energy and chemical production.
• Laboratory and pilot-scale practice — experimental methods, lab‑scale and pilot‑scale testing, data analysis, and scaling principles to bridge research and industrial application.
• Individual research project — an extended research or design project supervised by academic staff, often aligned with departmental research themes or industrial partners; projects develop technical, project-management and communication skills.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honours degree (commonly a UK 2:1 or equivalent) in chemical engineering or a closely related discipline such as chemical technology, process engineering, or a chemical sciences degree with substantial engineering content. Candidates with relevant industrial experience and a lower-class undergraduate degree may be considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly if they can demonstrate strong quantitative skills and practical experience.

International applicants must meet the university's academic equivalency and English language requirements; evidence of prior technical coursework, a personal statement and academic references are usually required as part of the application.

Career prospects

Graduates are equipped for technical and leadership roles in sectors that depend on process technologies. Common career paths include:

• Process engineering and process development roles in oil & gas, petrochemicals, chemicals and consumer products.
• R&D and technical development in pharmaceuticals, speciality chemicals, catalysis and materials.
• Energy and low‑carbon technologies including process design for renewables, carbon capture and hydrogen production.
• Process modelling, simulation and optimisation roles in consultancy and engineering design firms.
• Pilot‑plant operations, technical management, and progression to senior engineering or plant management roles.
• Further academic research at PhD level in chemical engineering, materials or related interdisciplinary fields.

Why study at Loughborough University

Loughborough combines a strong engineering culture with applied research and close industry links, providing opportunities to work on real industrial problems and pilot‑scale experiments. The department’s research strengths span process systems engineering, reaction engineering, materials for energy, and sustainable technologies, offering a broad range of supervision for project work.

The university emphasises employability through industrial collaborations, placement and project partnerships, and dedicated careers support for postgraduate students. Where applicable, the programme aligns with professional standards and has routes to recognition by professional bodies relevant to chemical engineering careers.