Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Chemical Engineering

A chemical engineering master's degree from Manchester opens up a world of opportunity.

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: H801 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

At The University of Manchester we're committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .

Course unit details:
Batch Processing

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEN30321
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

 Batch operation is required for production of highly regulated materials, such as pharmaceuticals, and more recently with the emerging field of bioengineering. There are differences between continuous and batch processes, which need incorporating into a plant design in order for it to be fit for purpose. One of the main factors is the change of conditions with time, resulting in non-steady state conditions.

 By the end of this module, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the design, operation, sequencing, scheduling and optimisation of batch operations. This will include:

  • Scheduling a batch process to increase process efficiency
  • Develop control strategies for batch processes
  • Design batch distillation columns
  • Design batch reactors, including internals and utility
  • Pre/co-requisites

    Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
    Process Engineering Fundamentals CHEN10041 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
    Chemical Reactor Design CHEN20141 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
    Chemical Engineering Optimisation CHEN20051 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

    Aims

    The unit aims to: Explain the difference between batch and continuous processes, and understand their characteristics in relation to applications. This will allow students to quantitatively design a range batch processes and how to schedule batch processes effectively to improve system efficiency.

    Learning outcomes

    Students will be able to: 

    ILO 1: Describe and evaluate the use and synthesis of different batch processes. 

    ILO 2: Design batch reactors and analyse factors that impact reactor performance. 

    ILO 3: Compare different operation modes (relating to condensers and reboilers) of batch distillation columns. 

    ILO 4: Produce and analyse schedules for batch processes and quantify production rates. 

    ILO 5: Produce and evaluate control schedules for batch processes.

    Teaching and learning methods

    Fundamental aspects supporting the critical learning of the module will be delivered as pre-recorded asynchronous short videos via our virtual learning environment. These will be supported by synchronous sessions with master lecture content, Q&A, and problem-solving sessions where you can apply the new concepts.

    Surgery hours are also available for drop-in support.

    Students are expected to expand the concepts presented in the session and online by additional reading (suggested in the Online Reading List) in order to consolidate their learning process and further stimulate their interest to the module.

    Teaching Activities

    Lecture - 22 hours
    Assessment (Exam) - 2 hours
    Assessment (Coursework) - 20 hours
    Assessment (Revision/Preparation) - 30 hours
    Independent Study - 26 hours

    Assessment methods

    Method Weight
    Other 30%
    Written exam 70%

    Continuous Assessment

    Recommended reading

    Reading lists are accessible through the Blackboard system linked to the library catalogue.

     

    Study hours

    Scheduled activity hours
    Lectures 22
    Independent study hours
    Independent study 26

    Teaching staff

    Staff member Role
    Emily Cooksey Unit coordinator

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