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Formulation Engineering Masters/MSc/PGDip

Start date
September
Duration
1 year full-time, 2–3 years part-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024/25:
£11,340 (UK students)
£29,340 (International students)
Further fee information is available.

Formulation engineering is the development and manufacture of formulated products - where function derives from microstructure or nanostructure. This programme is led by our research expertise in this area, and equips graduates to pursue careers in multiple sectors.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

Chemical engineering is dynamic and evolving, and today extends far beyond its roots in oil and gas processing. It provides solutions to problems facing many sectors, such as food, fast-moving consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Key drivers include improvements to product functionality, decreasing cost to the consumer, and increasing process efficiency and sustainability.

Many modern products in these sectors are formulated – their functionality is entirely dependent upon their structure at the micrometre or nanometre scale. This programme explores the factors that influence and control the design, development and manufacture of such products. In addition, we explore the importance of “big data” to industry in terms of R&D and manufacturing, and the transition to data-driven practices which can be summarised as “industry 4.0”.

Taught material is guided by our research expertise in this area. The School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham is seeking to develop and produce formulated products such as food or pharmaceuticals with novel properties in a sustainable manner. To do this, we collaborate with industry in a variety of sectors.

Our graduates are well prepared for a career in industry or academia and have an opportunity to capitalise on the growing global demand for formulation and process engineers.

Core modules will give you an advanced understanding of advanced chemical engineering principles and concepts relevant to formulated products. Optional modules will allow you to develop expertise in specialist areas depending upon your interests.

The research project (MSc only) will allow you to undertake independent research in formulated product design, development or manufacture with world-leading research teams within the school. 

Why study a Masters in Formulation Engineering at Birmingham?

  • In this course we focus on the principles underlying the design, development and efficient and sustainable manufacture of formulated products, with examples drawn from multiple sectors of the industry. Such products include formulated foods, fast-moving consumer goods, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
  • Our themed optional modules enable you to specialise in areas of formulation engineering that interest you; from the production and formulation of pharmaceuticals, generation of bioproducts, clean energy including hydrogen fuel cells and thermal energy storage, and the business surrounding chemical and process engineering.
  • Teaching is led by our world-leading research in formulation engineering, and during the research project MSc students work within research groups on an original research project in the area of formulated product design, development or manufacture.
  • Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. With over 35,000 students and 7,000 staff, today we are one of the world’s leading universities. Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people’s lives – a tradition that this programme proudly continues.
  • Benefit from our collaborations with world-class industry partners, and international, leading-edge engineering and science departments.

Modules

The MSc programme is a one-year full time course or can be taken part-time over two or more years. Taught modules are delivered in semesters 1 and 2.

If you have not studied chemical engineering before, the programme starts with an introductory 10-credit module to introduce material that will be encountered in the programme.

This is followed by 80 credits of multidisciplinary core modules exploring concepts in formulation engineering relevant to multiple sectors. The properties of colloidal and other non-ideal systems, commonplace in formulated products such as food, are studied with a view to processing and characterisation. Techniques for measurement and characterisation of formulated products are investigated alongside experimental design in an engineering context. Use of big data and the implementation of industry 4.0 are explored. Finally, two modules cover uses of formulation engineering principles in the context of food engineering and formulation.

The above modules are complimented by a wide range of optional modules, enabling you to gain specific knowledge relating to topics such as bioprocessing, energy, engineering business, healthcare technology, fuel cells, and pharmaceutical product development and manufacture. Safety, regulatory and quality issues applicable across the relevant industries are also considered.

You will have the freedom to pick and choose modules from each theme (providing timetabling allows for this).

Finally, in the summer, Masters students undertake an original research project, working closely with a research group within the school. This allows you to consolidate your knowledge in a practical setting and develop practical research expertise. This brings the total credits for the MSc to 180.

Introductory module

If you have not taken a chemical engineering first degree, then you will take Process Engineering Fundamentals.

Core modules

Optional modules – choose 30-40 credits

Modules from different themes can be combined within timetabling constraints. All modules are offered subject to sufficient enrolled students. All module descriptions are provisional and subject to minor change. Example optional  modules are listed below:

Business Studies Theme

Pharmaceutical Technology Theme

Healthcare Technology Theme

Bioprocessing Theme

Core Process Engineering Skills Theme

Hydrogen Energy Theme

Energy Theme

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

Tuition fees for UK students 2024/25

MSc:  Full-time £11,340.

Tuition fees for International students 2024/25

MSc: Full-time £29,340.


Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Postgraduate Loans (PGL) for Masters students

UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) looking to pursue a Masters programme in the UK can apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC).

The loan will be paid directly to you, into a UK bank account. It is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your own discretion.

Learn more about applying for PGL 

 

Scholarships

Chemical Engineering PG Taught Entrance Scholarship

The school of Chemical Engineering is happy to be able to recognise and reward our top incoming students to celebrate your academic achievements before arriving as a student at the University of Birmingham.
The Chemical Engineering PGT Entrance Scholarship consists of a £1000 cash award during year 1 semester 1 for the students who meet the conditions.
There are 10 awards available; 5 will be allocated to UK students for fees and 5 will be allocated to international students for fees.

We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships for taught programmes and research opportunities to ensure the very best talent is nurtured and supported at postgraduate level.

University scholarships

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

Our Birmingham Masters Scholarship offers £2,000 via a tuition fee discount, to support the brightest and best applicants from UK or Ireland undertaking Masters study at Birmingham during 2024-2025.

Global Masters Scholarship

This £2,000 Gloabl Masters Scholarship award is available to all international students from a selection of countries who are seeking to study a taught Masters degree at Birmingham in the 2024-25 academic year.

 

How To Apply

International applicants requiring visas

Applications to this programme from students who are international for fees will close 7 May 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

UK and non-Tier 4 applicants

Applications will close 31 August 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

Application routes

Please note that the duration of this programme is one year full-time, while part-time study can be up to three years.

However, part-time programmes are only eligible for Government Masters Loans if they are no more than twice the length of the full-time version. Therefore any UK part-time students wishing to apply for Government Masters Loans must complete the programme within two years.

If you plan to study over two years and/or would like to apply for a Masters Loan, please select the fixed part-time application route shown. If you would like the flexibility to study over up to three years, and are not seeking funding, please select the standard part-time application route.

 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

You should have, or expect to obtain, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject (eg, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with sufficient Mathematics). Learn more about entry requirements. 

International Requirements



International Students

English language

For students whose first language is not English, one of the following English language qualifications is required:

 
  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

Our mission is to carry out research of the highest academic quality, which is novel, challenging and relevant to users. 

The School of Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is one of the three largest centres for the postgraduate education of chemical engineers in the UK. We have pioneered development and research in rapidly expanding new areas such as pharmaceuticals and bioproducts, food processing, hydrogen fuel cells and energy research, as well as having leading-edge groups in healthcare technologies

Research Themes

  • Formulation Engineering
    We are developing solutions to problems facing industries in the food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, fast moving consumer goods and speciality products.
  • Energy
    Improving quality of life demands the supply of increasing amounts of energy and consumer chemicals, whilst at the same time global warming has become a major cause for concern. The Energy research theme addresses the challenges of introducing the hydrogen economy to replace the current reliance on carbon-based fuels.
  • Healthcare Technologies
    Our experts are working together to advance new technologies and treatments that enable people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Teaching is led by our world-leading research in chemical engineering, and during the research project students work within research groups on an original research project.

Postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham is a chance to learn from world leaders in their fields. This guarantees you a first-class learning experience, leading to a qualification that is respected the world over and making you an attractive prospect in a very competitive job market. The topics studied on this course are aligned with the research strengths of the school, so you will be learning about cutting-edge developments in your chosen areas of interest.

Learning, teaching and assessment

The modules are taught in a variety of ways, and encourage enquiry based learning and problem solving, enabling graduates to think laterally and make complex decisions when entering the world of work or further study. Modules are assessed by a mixture of written exam and coursework, including written essays and reports and presentations. Some modules include group work to develop and discuss ideas. The MSc research project is assessed in part by the submission of a dissertation.

Skills gained

As well as gaining a high level of technical knowledge, students will also gain the ability to critically analyse data and evaluate published information, present their findings to diverse audiences, and solve problems based on the available information. Group work will foster interdisciplinary skills. IT skills and health and safety will be embedded through the programme. On the research project, MSc students will gain the skills of independent research.

Timescale

The MSc is a 12-month full-time advanced course, comprising lectures, laboratory work, short experimental projects and a research project. The course can also be taken on a part-time basis over two or three years.

The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) lasts for eight months and does not include the research project. Modules are also available individually to fulfil continuing professional development needs.

There is a great demand for chemical engineers in industry worldwide. This course gives you a professional basis for a career in a variety of industries.

Our Careers Network offers a range of events and support services designed to help you maximise your employability: from networking opportunities and career coaching workshops, to our effective-careers-strategy toolkit and one-to-one guidance. We also offer subject specific careers consultants and advisers for each college and a dedicated careers website for international students. Further information is below.

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.