Chemical Engineering in UK

Chemical engineers bring about innovation and improvements in process industries, such as those concerned with the manufacture of chemicals, food, fuel and pharmaceuticals.

The Department of Chemical Engineering was founded in 1912 and undergraduate degrees were first formally taught from 1937.

On this professionally accredited course, you will learn to apply scientific, engineering and business principles to a variety of complex practical issues.

You also have the chance to complete an integrated year abroad during your third year at one of our partner universities where you can challenge yourself in a different academic and cultural environment.

Chemical engineering applies science to the design, construction and operation of processes used to change raw materials into useful everyday products. Food and drink. Pharmaceuticals. Fertilisers. Energy. Fuels. A chemical engineering degree will give you excellent job prospects and equip you with skills that are easily transferable across industry sectors.

Hull is the ideal location to study chemical engineering. We’re in a region with a high concentration of process industry companies - BP, Total, Phillips 66, Smith & Nephew, RB and many more are right on our doorstep.

Chemical engineers transform raw materials into the materials and products we rely on. They develop, design and produce many of the products and materials that underpin or enhance our everyday lives - from the water we drink and the gas that powers our homes to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, silicon chips, and even synthetic skin.

Chemical engineers are innovators who can be found at the leading edge of new and emerging technologies such as:

• nanotechnology
• carbon capture
• renewable energy

The MSc Chemical Technology & Management designed specifically for graduates of related science and engineering disciplines who are working in chemical and process industries, with all the taught content delivered online via our virtual learning environment. The first semester focusses on Chemical Engineering fundamentals, as a refresher for those who have a Chemical Engineering background, and conversion for students of other science and engineering disciplines. Your work based final project will be supervised by one of our world-class academics and will give you the opportunity to apply your learning to a real-world problem that is relevant to your employer.

You may choose to exit the course with a postgraduate diploma after two years, or postgraduate certificate at the end of the first year. You may transfer between MSc Process Technology & Management, MSc Chemical Technology & Management and MSc Advanced Chemical & Process Engineering, provided that you do so before the end of the first semester.

You could improve the quality of many lives through the products and materials you design and develop as a chemical engineer.

You will learn how to ensure the safe and profitable production of the chemicals and materials required to create products such as clothing, food, medicine, transport and home entertainment systems.

Chemical engineering is a challenging and fascinating profession with extensive career opportunities. With a masters in chemical engineering you will combine a detailed knowledge of chemistry with an understanding of engineering principles in order to design, construct and operate chemical process plants.

The MRes Chemical Research is ideal if you wish to further your research career or update your training. You will join an existing research group under the guidance of a supervisor, and spend the majority of time on an individually tailored research project in any of the department’s current research areas that include some reference to chemical and biological sciences. You will also partake in group activities, including research colloquia and presentations, and attend advanced lectures on the theoretical and technical background to your chosen research area.

Building a sustainable future is one of the biggest engineering challenges we face. Our unique Chemical Engineering programme focuses on renewable energies, teaching our students to apply their chemical engineering expertise to develop greener energy solutions.

In Years 1 and 2 you’ll build a strong foundation in fundamental engineering concepts such as fluid mechanics, design, materials and mathematical modelling, whilst being introduced to Chemical Engineering through specialised modules covering topics such as materials chemistry, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics and chemical reaction engineering. Modules in design and experimental practice, will help you to develop the practical workshop and laboratory-based skills necessary for all engineers, and put core programme material into perspective and to practical use.

For your third-year design project you’ll collaborate with peers to design a sustainable drinking water treatment plant or a biomass gasification plant, using your gained knowledge to invent innovative approaches and design new sustainable energy pathways.

Students who choose to take the MEng degree will learn advanced modules and carry out an industry or research-linked project that focuses on solving real engineering research and design problems.

Our teaching, in one of the most sought after STEM disciplines, is underpinned by cutting edge research preparing leaders for tomorrow's world. The applications from our research range from creating catalysts on a molecular scale, sustainable drinking water treatment for developing countries and valuable carbon materials from organic waste, to sustainable extraction of nutritional, pharmaceutical, biofuel and cosmetic products from micro-algal cultures using advanced biochemical engineering techniques. State of the art labs allow students access to the best analytical instrumentation. Some students even travel to international synchrotron facilities and zero-gravity missions with the European Space Agency.

We’ve recently undertaken a review of our programmes to ensure that they will prepare you for life beyond 2030 and ensure they reflect the global challenges facing both our society and your future as engineers. We have developed the modules we offer in consultation with our students, staff and industry to enhance your student experience and graduate employability.

Our graduate attributes matrix supports students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed both personally and professionally. Using this matrix you will recognise and record the wide-ranging skills you develop over the duration of your programme, reflect on what you want to do in the future and gain the tools you need to effectively market yourself to future employers.

Chemical engineers play a crucial role in many aspects of our everyday lives. This degree will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills you need to contribute to future scientific and technological breakthroughs within the diverse sector.

Practical learning and industry placements are integrated throughout the degree, giving you the opportunity to put your learning into practice, develop your professional expertise, and gain invaluable real-life experience in the sector.

You'll gain expertise across a broad range of chemical engineering topics, including thermodynamics, plant design, and process control.

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, which has modules in mathematics, physics and chemistry, you can start the MEng degree.

Our graduates work across all fields of chemical engineering, including biological and pharmaceutical engineering and are and are well-equipped for a future in digital manufacturing.

You'll learn about the design of processes and products that produce, transform or transport materials and energy. We'll develop your technical, research and problem-solving skills to give you the best start for a career in the sector of your choice.

Chemical Engineers pioneer materials and technologies of the future; they design and develop the processes behind today’s most useful products. In studying at Masters-level, you will develop your knowledge in chemistry and engineering, along with management and leadership skills.

Our accredited Chemical Engineering programme recognises the broad field of the subject and as such starts with a common first year, which is shared among all our engineering subjects. This is in recognition that Chemical Engineers do not work in isolation and that modern engineering is just as much about effective teamwork and communication, as it is the underlying science.

Our BEng and MEng align with current industry issues. They combine traditional chemical engineering topics with multidisciplinary design projects, specialist petrochemical modules and sustainability.

You’ll be taught by prize-winning academics and experienced former industrialists, and you’ll gain a strong base knowledge that’s relevant for a wide range of fulfilling careers in the global energy sector.

You can apply to study for either a BEng or MEng. The MEng builds on the BEng with a masters year and is a direct route to becoming a chartered engineer. Students on our MEng may take part in a multidisciplinary project working with other engineering students across the University.

Depending on your progress, you may have the option to switch from BEng to MEng during your studies. Find out more about the benefits of an integrated masters degree.

Studying a Chemical Engineering degree provides expert training in modern process engineering, developing analytical and problem-solving skills critical to the application of engineering to industry.

Chemical engineers work closely with processes that turn raw materials into valuable products for human use. Their skills ensure that natural resources are used sustainably, and the disposal of by-products is conducted in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner.

This professionally accredited degree course provides knowledge and skills across the full spectrum of chemical engineering topics, allowing you to keep your career options open.

As you progress, your growing analytical abilities will combine with hands-on experience, establishing skills which are vital to securing employment in the chemical engineering industry.

Our BEng programme gives you a sound understanding of both the chemical and process engineering fundamentals that you need to become a professional engineer. In addition to a grounding in science, maths and engineering, our students acquire practical abilities that are highly sought after by industry.