PhD, MPhil Chemical & process engineering
ApplyResearch opportunities
Our research uses advances in science and mathematics to develop solutions to challenges faced by industry and society. These challenges include manufacturing medicines, delivering clean water and providing renewable energy.
We research areas from the controlled assembly of nanostructured materials to the design of advanced reactors, and from combating global warming with novel energy storage and gas separation technology to understanding protein aggregation in degenerative diseases.
We have strong links with other engineering and science departments both within Strathclyde and externally. We also work with many industrial partners.

What you'll study
MPhil & PhD
Students can study towards an MPhil in one year or a PhD in three to four years. You can study either option in any of our key areas of research:
- Advanced manufacturing & materials
- Energy
- Health and wellbeing
- Society and policy
- Measurement science
There are also opportunities to research engineering education and knowledge exchange.
Outreach
The Department of Chemical & Process Engineering hosts a busy outreach group called ReallySmallScience. It visits schools and takes part in public events throughout the year. As a PhD student, you can volunteer to take part in activities to inspire the next generation of chemical engineers and turn your research into an engaging activity for all.
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing up period.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
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Funding | Take a look at our funding your postgraduate research web page for funding information. You can also view our scholarships search for further funding opportunities. |
Postgraduate research opportunities | Search for all funded and non-funded postgraduate research opportunities. |
Additional costs | Course materials & costsStudents are provided with lab coats, gloves, etc., and have an allocated budget to cover conference attendance, poster printing, etc. Students have access to print documents via the department's own printers. Placements & field tripsAllocated budget to help with placements and conference attendance. Students are also encouraged to apply for external support where available. International studentsInternational students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. Other costsSome projects will have research costs in addition to the tuition fees. Assessment is made on a case by case basis. Applicants are informed at the point of offer that their project may incur bench fees and are sent a letter if a bench fee applies. Cost of binding two copies of the thesis and a CD copy (£26/copy, not including printing costs) at Cameron bookbinders. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.



Our research
Our research applies advances in science and mathematics to develop solutions to challenges faced by industry and society, such as manufacturing medicines, delivering clean water and providing renewable energy.
We research areas from controlled assembly of nanostructured materials to design of advanced reactors, and from combating global warming with novel energy storage and gas separation technology to understanding protein aggregation in degenerative diseases.
Find out more about our research
Supervisors
Research supervisors are assigned to you by the Department of Chemical & Process Engineering. Let us know in your application who you'd like to work with but the department will team you up with the best supervisor for your project.
Once we've received your application, your research proposal is passed to potential supervisors for consideration. If it's not compatible with the researcher's current projects and they are unable to supervise, it's passed along to another for consideration. If they can supervise you, they will confirm and nominate a potential second supervisor.
As soon as a second supervisor is confirmed, an offer will be sent to you through Pegasus, our online application system.
When you accept our offer of study, you'll receive a full offer in writing via the email address you'll have provided.
Support & development
Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD)
As part of your PhD degree, you'll be enrolled on the Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD).
This certificate is designed to support you with your research and rewards you for things you'll do as a research student here.
It'll help you improve skills which are important to professional development and employability:
- knowledge and intellectual abilities to conduct your research
- personal qualities to succeed in your research and chosen career
- standards, requirements and conduct of a professional researcher in your discipline
- working with others and communicating the impact of your research to a wide range of audiences
All you have to do is plan these activities alongside your doctorate, documenting and reflecting your journey to success along the way.
Careers
The University Careers Service can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation.
Student support
From financial advice to our IT facilities, we have a wide range of support for all students here at Strathclyde. Get all the information you need at Strathlife.
Postgraduate research at the Strathclyde Doctoral School
The Strathclyde Doctoral School provides a vibrant and comprehensive student-centred research and training environment in order to grow and support current and future research talent.
The School encompasses our four faculties and is committed to enriching the student experience, intensifying research outputs and opportunities, and ensuring training is at the highest level. As a postgraduate researcher, you'll automatically become a member of the Strathclyde Doctoral School.
Find out more about the Doctoral SchoolMeet our students

Daria Stoliarskaia
Strathclyde has a long history of collaborations with other universities and research groups which results in pioneering research with the involvement of experts around the world. From day one I have received support and encouragement from the University, my Department and my supervisors.

Christopher Campbell
I have really appreciated how much encouragement I have been given to travel during my PhD studies, and have been lucky enough to take part in a number of overseas knowledge exchange programmes and conferences. The Department’s environment is also very supportive, with a number of lecturers available for discussion and advice whenever you need them.

Martin Prostredny
I really enjoy the mixed international and local character of Strathclyde, which enables you to get to meet and become friends with other students, not only from Scotland but from all over the world. The atmosphere within the Department is very friendly and there’s always someone you can approach if you are struggling either with your work or with other issues.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' sectionGlasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in GlasgowApply
Entry requirements
A first-class or upper second-class Honours degree in a relevant engineering/science discipline, or a suitable equivalent qualification.
If English isn't your first language, you'll also need to have a recent UKVI-recognised Secure English Language Test (SELT) qualification.
The application
During the application you'll be asked for the following:
- your full contact details
- transcripts and certificates of all degrees
- proof of English language proficiency if English isn't your first language
- two references, one of which must be academic
- funding or scholarship information
- research proposal of 250 to 1,000 words in length, detailing the subject area and topic to be investigated
By filling these details out as fully as possible, you'll avoid any delay to your application being processed by the University.
Accepting an offer
Once you've accepted our offer, we'll need you to fulfil any academic, administrative or financial conditions that we ask.
UK or EU students
If you're applying as a UK or EU student, you'll then be issued with your registration documentation.
International students
An ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate is a mandatory requirement for some postgraduate students in science, engineering and technology.
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Chemical and Process Engineering
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Chemical and Process Engineering
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Chemical and Process Engineering - DTC
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Chemical and Process Engineering - DTC
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Chemical and Process Engineering (Industrial)
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Chemical and Process Engineering (Industrial)
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Chemical and Process Engineering (Industrial)
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Chemical and Process Engineering (Industrial)
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Engineering
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Engineering
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Chemical and Process Engineering (NJFU)
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Chemical and Process Engineering (NJFU)
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Chemical and Process Engineering - DTC
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Chemical and Process Engineering
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Chemical and Process Engineering
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Chemical and Process Engineering
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Chemical and Process Engineering
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Chemical and Process Engineering (Industrial)
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Chemical and Process Engineering (Industrial)
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Chemical and Process Engineering (NJFU)
Contact us
Eilidh Groden
Telephone: +44 (0)141 574 5306
Email: chemeng-pg-admissions@strath.ac.uk
James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ