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Chemical engineers design the processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms and energy into the essential products of modern life.
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.
Our BEng Chemical Engineering programmes have been accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.
Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Our BEng programmes meet the academic requirements for IEng.
Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
You can complete your Chemical Engineering degree in three, four or five years. A typical BEng programme will comprise 3 years of study, whilst a typical MEng programme will comprise 4 years of study. Study abroad can be taken in Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be taken in Year 4. Industrial Experience can be taken in Year 3 or 4 of a BEng programme or Year 3, 4 or 5 of an MEng programme. Please note that students cannot do both study abroad and a year in industry.
Foundation
Semester 1
Semester 2
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.
Students who do not have the required high school qualifications for admission to this degree, and students who do not meet their UCAS Conditional offer may be considered for the 4 year degree (foundation year plus the 3 year degree).
International students with Year 12 or a completed international high school certificate qualify for the one year foundation programme commonly known as the ISEFP.
The foundation programme offers a range of transferable skills and an opportunity to improve on your knowledge content for relevant Maths and Science subjects.
You will enrol on an Engineering BEng with Foundation which will offer progression to a range of degrees in the School of Engineering and Material Sciences including BEng Chemical Engineering. At the end of the foundation year of study, you will be required to meet the progression requirements for admission to BEng Chemical Engineering.
Apply for our Chemical Engineering BEng or MEng with Industrial Experience to spend a year in industry. You'll have the opportunity to put your understanding of chemical engineering into practice in a real-world environment, gaining invaluable experience for your future career.
Take an extra year to study your choice of advanced modules and complete a high-level group project. Apply for our Chemical Engineering MEng, ideal if you want to go into research and development, or to give you an edge in the job market.
Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our Chemical Engineering BEng or MEng with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).
Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are.
You can do either a year in industry or a year abroad - you cannot combine these options.
You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, laboratory practicals and problem-based learning.
You should plan for 14-17 hours of formal teaching each week, plus time spent on group projects. For every hour spent in class, you’ll complete a further one to two hours of independent study.
Assessment typically includes a combination of coursework, written reports, projects, presentations, group work and exams in the summer.
The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.
We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:
Chemical engineers are in great demand and have successful careers in energy and power generation, and in process industries such as those producing pharmaceuticals, materials, toiletries and food. There are also opportunities in environmental protection, recycling and alternative energy.
Recent School of Engineering and Materials Science graduates have been hired by:
The School of Engineering and Materials Science holds a weekly careers session where employers provide information, advice and skills training. We also run networking events for students to meet employers and alumni.
The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:
Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.
Chemical Engineering - BEng (Hons)
Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience - BEng (Hons)
Chemical Engineering with Year Abroad - BEng (Hons)
Chemical Engineering - MEng (Hons)
Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience - MEng (Hons)
Chemical Engineering with Year Abroad - MEng (Hons)
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)
The School of Engineering and Materials Science attracts some of the brightest minds from across the country, and the world. The most recent national assessment of the quality of university research (REF 2021) placed us seventh for our engineering research (Times Higher Education) and second for the quality of our research outputs.
Our academic staff have extensive contacts with major industrial companies in engineering and materials science, and there is constant interaction between industry, research and our teaching.
Our students benefit from personal contact with approachable teaching staff in small-group settings, where discussion and feedback is actively encouraged.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 8736
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