DEGREE GUIDE

Chemical Engineering

What do Chemical Engineering degrees involve?

Chemical Engineering degrees teach you how to design and develop processes that transform raw materials into valuable products safely and efficiently. You will explore key areas such as process engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, reaction kinetics, and materials science. These courses help you build strong problem-solving, mathematical, and analytical skills while understanding how to optimise industrial processes in sectors like pharmaceuticals, energy, and food production. You will also learn about sustainability, safety regulations, and emerging technologies in chemical engineering. With hands-on lab work, industry placements, and large-scale engineering projects, you’ll gain practical experience that prepares you for careers in manufacturing, energy, and environmental engineering.

Example
Modules

Process Heat Transfer: Study how heat moves through industrial systems, exploring conduction, convection and radiation, and comparing heat exchanger designs.

Advanced Fluid Mechanics: Apply maths and physics to analyse fluid flow in pipes, pumps and reactors, solving problems in laminar and potential flow conditions.

Colloids and Interface Science: Understand how tiny particles interact at surfaces and interfaces, and learn how to measure forces in colloidal systems.

Common Degree Names

💼 Placement years are widely available, often in the chemical, pharmaceutical or energy sectors.
🌍 Study abroad is available at some universities.

BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering
MEng Chemical Engineering
BEng (Hons) Chemical and Energy Engineering
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering
BEng (Hons) Chemical and Process Engineering

MEng is a four-year integrated Master’s degree and a common route toward Chartered Engineer status.

Level 3 (A-level / IB Diploma (HL) / Scottish Highers)

Chemical Engineering applies chemistry and physics to design industrial processes, from pharmaceuticals to renewable energy. The degree is highly mathematical and requires strong science foundations.

You'll need:

Maths – essential for all Chemical Engineering courses
Chemistry – also essential at nearly all universities

Subjects that strengthen your application:

Physics or Further Maths – strongly recommended, particularly for competitive programmes
Biology – sometimes accepted as a second science, but less commonly than Physics

✨ Maths, Chemistry, and Physics is the ideal combination. Courses focusing on energy, materials, or industrial processes especially value Physics.

Universities may also accept:

BTEC Extended Diplomas in Engineering or Applied Science—often with additional A-level Maths, or strong distinctions in Maths- and Chemistry-based units
T-levels in Engineering and Manufacturing may be considered by some institutions—check individual course details

✨ Requirements can vary slightly between universities, but Chemistry and Maths are always essential. Be sure to check individual university websites for specific subject and grade requirements.

Level 2 Qualifications (GCSE / MYP / National 5)

Most Chemical Engineering courses require:

GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent qualifications like National 5s or MYP
GCSE Science (or equivalent), usually at least grade 5/B or higher, particularly in Chemistry

📘 Some competitive universities may ask for a grade 6/B or higher in Maths, due to the high level of maths involved in the degree.

💬 Interviews
Most universities don’t require interviews. However, competitive institutions like Cambridge or Imperial College London may invite applicants to interview to explore their problem-solving skills and understanding of key topics.

📝 Admissions Tests

Cambridge and Imperial may require the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) or a similar written assessment
Most other UK universities do not require admissions tests

🔍 Work Experience
Not essential, but if you’ve taken part in STEM clubs, summer schools, or engineering-related projects, be sure to include them in your personal statement. They can demonstrate your interest in applying science to real-world challenges.

If your qualifications don't match the usual entry requirements, there are some other possibilities.

🌱 Foundation Year in Engineering or Science
If you don’t have the right subject combination—especially if you're missing Maths or Chemistry—a foundation year in Engineering can help prepare you for the full degree.

🎓 Access to HE Diploma (Engineering or Science)
An Access course with Chemistry, Maths, and ideally Physics can be accepted by some universities. Be sure to check which courses accept Access qualifications for this subject, as many will also require GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) at a high grade.

💼 Level 3 Apprenticeships
A Chemical Technician or Process Engineering apprenticeship may provide relevant experience and support future degree study, especially when paired with additional qualifications or a foundation year.

Is this degree right for you?

Members can explore whether this degree fits who they are:

Skills you'd develop and whether they match your strengths
How this aligns with your interests, motivators and values
Career paths and where graduates end up

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Skills you would develop in a Chemical Engineering degree

Is this a good fit for you?

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Interests that would make a Chemical Engineering degree a good match for you

Careers a Chemical Engineering degree could lead you to