Chemical Engineering Degrees

What is chemical engineering?

What is chemical engineering? It's the branch of engineering focused on designing, optimising, and operating processes that transform raw materials into valuable products through chemical, physical and biological changes. 

Chemical engineers often work in two main areas: 

• Designing, manufacturing, and operating plants and machinery for large-scale industrial processes 

• Developing new or improved substances for a wide range of products 

They blend principles from chemistry to create and refine products, considering economic viability, resource management, health and safety, sustainability, and environmental impact. 

Entry requirements for chemical engineering degrees

Entry requirements for chemical engineering degrees usually emphasise a strong background in chemistry and mathematics, while knowledge of other sciences is beneficial. Some background knowledge of the nature of chemical engineering and its various real-world applications is also a good way to enhance your application. 

Many institutions offer various entry routes into chemical engineering. You can enter from a natural sciences, engineering, or computer sciences background. Some institutions are even more flexible, accepting students from all disciplines. If you don't meet the required grades or subjects, foundation courses are available to help you acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. 

Additionally, if you hold a diploma or a lower-level certificate in chemical engineering from a recognised institution, you might be eligible for direct entry into the second year of a degree programme. So, it’s advisable to check with the institutions you’re interested in to see if this option is available. 

What to expect from chemical engineering degrees

Undergraduate chemical engineering degrees typically last three to five years, depending on the country, institution, and whether you are pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Master of Engineering (MEng). The BEng usually takes three to four years, while the MEng lasts four to five years.  

Some programmes allow BEng students to transfer to an MEng programme if they meet certain academic requirements, and MEng students may have the option to graduate with a BEng instead. 

The MEng provides a deeper understanding of chemical engineering, more extensive project work, and can lead to Chartered Chemical Engineer status after gaining the necessary experience and qualifications.  

Many institutions offer a ‘sandwich year’, where students work in the industry or study abroad. You can also combine chemical engineering with other disciplines like environmental engineering, business management, foreign languages, or humanities.  

Whether you choose a BEng or MEng, you'll start with core courses in pure and applied mathematics, computing, CAD, and sciences. You’ll then proceed to study these topics in more depth and specialise by choosing from a range of elective courses.  

In later years, you'll take advanced lab classes with industrial equipment and learn about the financial, ethical and environmental aspects of chemical engineering, with opportunities to study business, finance and management. 

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer practice sessions, extensive lab work, and individual and group projects. Some institutions offer online classes, site visits (or field work), and industry professional-led sessions to provide insights into current practices and concerns in the industry. 

Final assessment is typically a substantial research and development project, but you may also be tested through written examination, coursework, laboratory reports, multiple choice examinations, oral presentations and interviews. 

Chemical engineering specialisations 

Chemical engineering courses have expanded far beyond their origins in oil refining and petrochemical production, adapting to advancements in various fields. Today, students can explore a wide range of topics, from traditional subjects like fluid mechanics, mass and heat transfer, and thermodynamics to even cutting-edge areas such as nanotechnology, fuel cells, and bioengineering.  

Courses typically include plant design, process systems, and process economics, as well as specialised subjects like biochemical engineering, membrane science, and sustainable engineering.  

Additionally, courses on engineering management, environmental impact, and safety and hazard engineering could even prepare students for diverse challenges in modern chemical engineering.  

Some of the most popular chemical engineering courses you may choose are explored below: 

Biochemical engineering 

Biochemical engineering focuses on the design and optimisation of processes involving biological organisms or molecules. This specialisation typically includes coursework in microbiology, bioprocess engineering, and bio separations.  

Students learn to develop and scale up processes for producing biochemicals, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals, with an emphasis on sustainability and efficiency.  

Key topics include fermentation technology, metabolic engineering, and downstream processing. The best biochemical engineering schools often offer state-of-the-art laboratories and industry partnerships, providing bio-chemical engineers with cutting-edge knowledge and practical experience in this rapidly evolving field. 

Chemical reaction engineering 

Also known as reaction or reactor engineering, chemical reaction engineering focuses on chemical reactors, such as those in industrial plants. It involves managing reactor processes and conditions to ensure optimal operation, especially in catalytic systems with homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts.  

You'll study multi-product and multi-purpose plants, analyse reaction kinetics and mechanisms, and optimise chemical reactions for the best reactor design. The coursework includes constructing models for reactor analysis and design, using laboratory data and physical parameters to solve problems, and predicting reactor performance.  

This specialisation integrates various topics within chemical engineering, providing a comprehensive understanding of reactor systems. 

Process design and process engineering 

Process design and process engineering are central to chemical engineering, focusing on the optimisation, creation, and management of chemical processes. This specialisation involves scientific planning, simulation, and refinement of processes based on fundamental principles of thermodynamics and material balance.  

You will learn to design and operate process engineering equipment, understand fuel sources and energy consumption, and address safety, regulatory, and economic concerns.  

Specialising in process design means becoming an expert in various unit operations such as distillation, crystallisation, and drying. These processes and operations work together to transform materials chemically or physically.  

Coursework includes using specialised software for process simulation, starting from conceptual design to detailed optimisation, equipping chemical engineers with the skills to efficiently achieve desired material transformations. 

Nanotechnology and materials engineering 

This specialisation focuses on the development and manipulation of materials at the molecular or atomic level. You will learn about the properties and applications of nanomaterials, techniques for fabricating and characterizing nanostructures, and the integration of these materials into various technologies.  

Some of the key topics which will be covered includes advanced chemistry for materials engineering, nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, and nanomedicine. This field is vital for advancing innovations in electronics, energy storage, medical devices, and sustainable materials, driving significant technological progress and offering solutions to complex global challenges. 

Pharmaceutical engineering 

Pharmaceutical engineering is a vital specialisation within chemical engineering, focusing on the design, development, and optimisation of processes for producing pharmaceuticals and medical devices.  

Students learn about drug formulation, process development, quality control, and regulatory compliance. Key topics include biopharmaceuticals, nanomedicine, and sustainable manufacturing practices.  

The teaching process involves a combination of lectures, laboratory work, and industry placements, providing hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.  

This specialisation is crucial for advancing healthcare, improving drug efficacy and safety, and addressing global health challenges. 

Chemical engineering jobs

Many professional fields rely on chemical engineering skills, knowledge, and expertise, from environmental and energy to medical, gastronomical, and technological. Indeed, chemical engineering is essential to nearly every area of human activity. As a graduate chemical engineer, you can apply your knowledge within an impressive variety of sectors. 

A few popular industries for chemical engineers include:  

• Alternative energy 

• Biotechnology 

• Chemical manufacturing 

• Consumer goods 

• Environmental engineering 

• Healthcare 

• Materials science 

• Oil and gas 

• Pharmaceuticals 

• Sustainable engineering  

Emerging career options are also available in renewable energy engineering, data science in chemical engineering, energy storage engineering, and biochemical engineering. 

Career options for chemical engineers often involve consultancy, research and development, field engineering, and design and manufacturing. Some graduates choose alternative careers for chemical engineers, such as business management, finance, law, medicine, the armed forces, environment and conservation, academia, and teaching.  

However, many continue as professional chemical engineers, contributing to diverse and innovative fields. 

What do chemical engineers do?  

Chemical engineers, also known as process engineers, play a crucial role in researching, designing, developing, constructing, modifying, and operating industrial processes and machinery to produce a wide array of products.  

Their responsibilities range from researching and developing new products to managing processes from small-scale testing to full industrial production. They also focus on improving product lines, modifying processing plants, and designing and commissioning new facilities. Achieving Chartered status or its equivalent signifies professional competence after gaining experience in the field.  

Chemical engineers collaborate closely with teams of technicians and engineers, applying innovative technologies to enhance efficiency and profitability. They ensure safety protocols are rigorously followed, manage by-products and waste responsibly, and assess safety considerations throughout projects.  

Depending on their roles, they may work in laboratories, offices, processing plants, or combine responsibilities across these environments. Proficient individuals may advance to roles such as plant managers or company executives. 

Some chemical engineering jobs include: 

Food processing engineer 

A food processing engineer develops food products by integrating science, engineering, chemistry, and microbiology. They design techniques for food creation, processing, preservation, packaging, distribution, and improvement using the latest products and technologies.  

Their work involves applying principles of heat transfer and fluid flow, utilising simulation tools for design and process optimisation, and collaborating with teams of engineers and scientists.  

Employed by food manufacturers or working alongside agricultural and food processing experts, food processing engineers may specialise in areas such as food additives, safety, nutrition, packaging, preparation methods, or chemical research in food.  

Biochemical engineer 

A biochemical engineer designs and optimises processes that use biological organisms or molecules to create products such as pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and food. They play a critical role in developing sustainable and efficient bioprocesses, contributing significantly to the health, energy, and food sectors.  

Biochemical engineers work in industries like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, environmental management, and agricultural technology.  

Advanced degrees or certifications in biochemical engineering can lead to senior roles or executive leadership positions in business areas like research and development, process management, or regulatory affairs. 

Pharmaceutical consultant  

The pharmaceutical industry is another popular field for chemical engineering graduates. As pharmaceutical consultants with a chemical engineering background, they focus on pharmaceutical production, leveraging biochemical engineering and ensuring regulatory compliance while considering commercial constraints.  

Their projects may range from addressing client consultancy questions to designing, commissioning, and validating large-scale pharmaceutical production facilities. They are likely to work in multi-disciplinary teams and on projects involving various pharmaceutical technologies. 

Energy process engineer  

Many chemical engineering graduates become process engineers, applying chemical engineering principles to optimise, design, operate, and control chemical processes.  

Energy process engineers focus on identifying opportunities to save energy, proposing solutions for more efficient operations, and aiding in the design and operation of energy infrastructure. They must understand energy supply and demand, engineering economics, and the implications of using different types of energy.  

They utilise various technologies and equipment to produce, transfer, distribute, convert, and utilise energy, with a thorough understanding of renewable and alternative energy systems.