MSc Advanced Process Integration and Design

Course description

The MSc in Advanced Process Integration and Design started in the Department of Chemical Engineering (UMIST) over twenty years ago. The programme was a result of emerging research from the Centre for Process Integration, initially focused on energy efficiency, but expanded to include efficient use of raw materials and emissions reduction. Much of the content of the course stems from research related to energy production, including oil and gas processing.

The MSc in Advanced Process Integration and Design aims to enable students with a prior qualification in chemical engineering to acquire a deep and systematic conceptual understanding of the principles of process design and integration in relation to the petroleum, gas and chemicals sectors of the process industries.

In the first trimester, all students take course units on energy systems, utility systems and computer aided process design. Energy Systems develops systematic methods for designing heat recovery systems, while Utility Systems focuses on provision of heat and power in the process industries. Computer Aided Process Design develops skills for modelling and optimisation of chemical processes.

In the second trimester, the students choose three elective units from a range covering reaction systems, distillation systems, distributed and renewable energy systems, biorefining, and oil and gas processing. These units focus on design, optimisation and integration of process technologies and their associated heat and power supply systems.

In two research-related units, students develop their research skills and prepare a proposal for their research project. These units develop students skills in critical assessment of research literature, group work, written and oral communication, time management and research planning.

Students then carry out the research project during the third trimester. In these projects, students apply their knowledge and skills in process design and integration to investigate a wide range of process technologies and design methodologies. Recent projects have addressed modelling, assessment and optimisation of petroleum refinery hydrotreating processes, crude oil distillation systems, power plants, waste heat recovery systems, refrigeration cycles with mixed refrigerants, heat recovery steam generators, biorefining and biocatalytic processes and waste-to-energy technologies.

The research results have been transferred to industry via research communications, training and software leading to successful industrial application of the new methodologies. The Research Consortium continues to support research in process integration and design in Manchester, identifying industrial needs and challenges requiring further research and investigation and providing valuable feedback on practical application of the methodologies. In addition, the Centre for Process Integration has long history of delivering material in the form of continuing professional development courses, for example in Japan, China, Malaysia, Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Europe, the United States, Brazil and Colombia.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2019, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £11,000 
• International students (per annum): £24,500

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused.

Entry requirements

_{English language}

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will need to demonstrate competency. We generally require applicants to hold one of the following qualifications (although other formal qualifications may be considered):

• IELTS: 6.5 (with no sub score less than 5.5)
• TOEFL PB: 570 (with a minimum TWE of 5.0)
• TOEFL CB: 230 (with a minimum TWE of 5.0)
• IBTOEFL of at least 90

The University offers three, five and ten-week pre-sessional English language courses for students who need to improve their English to meet the minimum requirements (see http://www.langcent.manchester.ac.uk/ for more information).

_{English language test validity}

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

_{Other international entry requirements}

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. See details of entry requirements for your country at: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/international/country

Application and selection

_{How to apply}

Apply online

Coursework and assessment

Assessment is a combination of examinations and submitted coursework. Examinations take place in January and May each year.

The Dissertation Project forms a major part of the MSc course and provides useful practice in carrying out academic research and writing in an area that you are interested in. You learn to apply your knowledge by solving industry-based problems and demonstrate the knowledge you have acquired by solving an original problem. You choose a topic from a wide selection provided by the University's teaching staff and by industry.  Students have the opportunity of working with large engineering or engineering software development companies and The Process Integration Research Consortium also provides opportunities for students to discuss project work in a large number of engineering related areas.

Course unit details

A full list of course units is available here

Career opportunities

The MSc course in Advanced Process Design and Integration typically attracts 40 students; our graduates have found employment with major international oil and petrochemical companies (e.g. Shell, BP, Reliance and Petrobras and Saudi Aramco), chemical and process companies (e.g. Air Products), engineering, consultancy and software companies (e.g. Jacobs and Aspen Tech) and academia.

Accrediting organisations

This programme is accredited by the IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers).

Visit the MSc Advanced Process Integration and Design page on the University of Manchester website for more details!