Course contact details
Postgraduate Admissions
Email:pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk
Phone:01224 272090
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of Global Engagement, Marketing and Recruitment
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
Process Safety (Online) (Taught)
- MSc
- 30 Months
- Online study
- January 2026
- Postgraduate
- Distance learning
Course summary
Become a qualified process safety engineer, ready to work in any chemical processing sector. Join an IChemE-accredited online degree you can fit around full-time work.
Join our accredited MSc and become a world-class process safety engineer.
Process safety protects society. With this degree, you’ll gain the skills to prevent and control events that can potentially release hazardous materials and energy.
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Learn to understand and manage risk.
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Study current industry trends.
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Train in the tools and processes engineers use to identify, assess and control risk across industries.
You’ll graduate with detailed knowledge of operational safety, risk assessment and management. And you’ll be ready to seek work across a multitude of chemical processing sectors.
You’ll study flexibly, part-time, with a university recognised as a major centre for safety engineering in the UK. We’ve been focused on safety-related teaching and research for over 25 years.
Who can study this online Process Safety degree
This distance-learning MSc is open to students with a background in chemical, petroleum or mechanical engineering.
This online MSc is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). It’s the leading professional qualifying body for chemical, biochemical and process engineers.
Modules
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. In this degree, you’ll be given access to and training in a range of software used throughout industry. You’ll learn to use UniSim, Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, Anysys Fluent, MATLAB and MATLAB Simulink.
Assessment method
This degree is assessed online. We’ll use a range of online assessment methods throughout your studies. These may include: written coursework, online tests, reports and projects.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Chemical Engineers, Institution of
How to apply
International applicants
This distance learning MSc in Process Safety is delivered flexibly, 100% online. You can learn with us anywhere in the world, no student visa required, and set your study hours to suit you.
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Entry requirements
A 2:2 (lower-second) UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, or 2:2 (lower-second) UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical or Petroleum Engineering with evidence of your strengths in key aspects of Chemical Engineering, or a high 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering and at least two years’ relevant industry experience.
Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics and Thermodynamics.
These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations.
We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology.
Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in January 2026. The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.
Our tuition fees will rise by 3% for the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years. Our indicative cost includes a 3% fee rise each year.
Sponsorship information
The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
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