What is Chemical Engineering?
Chemical Engineering can be defined as the study of changing one thing into another. Chemical Engineering is a field that has only been researched for about 125 years, yet in that time it has produced a tremendous number of processes and products that are now taken for granted.
Imagine a future without technology, plastics, or oil and gas, for example. You will truly be altering the world as a chemical engineer. Chemical Engineering is a difficult but very rewarding field that will take you from the classroom to the lab to the real world of business and back again.
This degree will teach you how to operate in a variety of settings and across the fields of chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and physics. Additionally, among the graduates in the highest demand are chemical engineers.
Why Study Chemical Engineering in the UK?
- Four UK universities that offer Chemical Engineering degrees are ranked among the top 50 universities in the world by QS Ranking 2022.
- Within six months of graduation, 25% of Chemical Engineering graduates find employment. 21 percent of them are employed as production and process engineers.
- Although the median compensation for chemical engineers has somewhat decreased, the early career median salary has remained constant at 30,000 pounds, according to the IChemE salary survey report.
Entry Requirements for Chemical Engineering in the UK
- Because Chemical Engineering degrees are in high demand, admission criteria may be onerous. You’ll probably need Math, Chemistry, and Physics in your application when it comes to topic matter.
- Additional mathematics, statistics, design technology, product design, and engineering are some additional disciplines that will be helpful to you.
- Take into account the qualities that can make a competent chemical engineer when writing your personal statement. Play up your aptitude for investigation, experimentation, math, analysis, and practical curiosity.
- A level – UK universities typically require AAA, with entry criteria ranging from BBC to A*AA.
- Scottish Highers– Highers, the most prevalent qualification in Scotland, with entry criteria ranging from BBBB to AAAAB, with AAABB being the most common prerequisite for universities in the UK. Universities will occasionally need Advanced Highers in addition to Highers. Universities or colleges often ask for AA when Advanced Highers are needed.
- Vocational Programs – Some providers may take other Level 3/Level 6 credentials in place of A levels or Highers, such as the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or a SCQF Level 6. It’s imperative that you confirm with universities or colleges what other admittance requirements there may be.
- English Language Requirements– Minimum IELTS score- 6.5
- General eligibility– Bachelor’s degree with a percentile score of 60-70 percent in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Life Sciences, or another relevant topic is the typical eligibility requirement for MS in Chemical Engineering in the UK.
Chemical Engineering Courses in the UK
- Masters/MSc/PGDip Advanced Chemical Engineering
- Masters/MSc/PGDip Advanced Chemical Engineering with Healthcare Technology
- Masters/MSc/PGDip Advanced Chemical Engineering with Bioprocessing
- Masters/MSc/PGDip Advanced Chemical Engineering with Formulation
- MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering
- BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering
- Undergraduate Affiliate Chemical Engineering
- BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year
- BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Industrial Study
- MSc Chemical Process Engineering
- BEng (Hons) Chemical and Petroleum Engineering with foundation year and professional training year
- BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with foundation year and professional training year
Top Universities for chemical engineering in the UK
- Imperial College London
- University College London
- University of Leeds
- Cranfield University
- University of Nottingham
- University of Sheffield
Imperial College London
Founded in 1907, Imperial College London is a public university. The university, which was formerly a college of the University of London, separated from the university in 2007. The institution, which focuses on science, has several campuses in and near London.
Imperial University has more than 15,000 students, and those from outside the European Union must pay more in tuition. First-year undergrads are guaranteed housing, and returning undergrads have access to a small number of rooms.
| Total number of students | 17,630 |
| Number of undergraduate degrees awarded | 2,660 |
| Number of international students | 10,220 |
| Number of master’s degrees awarded | 4,350 |
Imperial College London Rankings-
- 20th in Best Global Universities
- 4th in Best Global Universities in Europe
- 4th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom
Best Subjects-
- Biology and Biochemistry
- Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology
- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Nano science and Nanotechnology
- Neuroscience and Behavior
University College London
Founded in 1826, University College London, also known as UCL, is a public university. After the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, it was the third institution to be founded in England. UCL has sites in Qatar and Australia in addition to its main campus in the heart of London.
Throughout its history, the university has been linked to notable achievements in research. As an illustration, a UCL scientist who discovered noble gases, such as neon gas, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1904.
| Total number of students | 35,895 |
| Number of undergraduate degrees awarded | 5,215 |
| Number of master’s degrees awarded | 9,630 |
| Number of international students | 20,250 |
University College London Rankings-
- 16th in Best Global Universities
- 3rd in Best Global Universities in Europe
- 3rd in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom
Best Subjects-
- Arts and Humanities
- Biology and Biochemistry
- Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology
- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Medicine
- Computer Science
- Optics
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physical Chemistry
- Physics
- Plant and Animal Science
University of Leeds
Best Global Universities has University of Leeds at position 149th. Schools are rated in accordance with how well they perform on a number of generally recognized markers of quality.
One of the biggest higher education providers in the UK is the University, founded in 1904. They are well known throughout the world for the caliber of their research and teaching.
They use their combined understanding of research and education to progress knowledge, change people’s lives, and sculpt a better future for their localities, their region, and the entire world.
University of Leeds Rankings-
- 149th in Best Global Universities
- 55th in Best Global Universities in Europe
- 16th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom
Best subjects-
- Agricultural Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- Biology and Biochemistry
- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Medicine
- Computer Science
- Economics and Business
- Neuroscience and Behavior
- Oncology
- Optics
- Physical Chemistry
- Physics
- Plant and Animal Science
Cranfield University
The Best Global Universities list places Cranfield University at position 717. Schools are ranked based on how well they perform against a number of generally recognized indicators of quality.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education has been awarded to Cranfield six times. They were ranked first in the UK for research income per academic in 2017 by Times Higher Education, and they are among the top ten UK universities for commercial research, consultancy, and professional development.
Cranfield University Rankings-
- 717th in Best Global Universities
- 294th in Best Global Universities in Europe
- 52nd in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom
Best Subjects-
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Energy and Fuels
- Engineering
- Environment/Ecology
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
University of Nottingham
A public research institution called the University of Nottingham is located in Nottingham, United Kingdom. The first civil college in the city was founded in 1881, and WE Gladstone, the prime minister at the time, lay the cornerstone.
It outgrew its original home by 1928 and relocated to what is now the university’s main campus. The college did not get a Royal Charter until 1948, making it possible for it to formally change its name to the University of Nottingham and grant degrees in that name.
In the list of the top global universities, University of Nottingham is rated 151. Schools are rated based on how well they perform against a set of generally recognized measures of quality.
University of Nottingham Rankings-
- 151st in Best Global Universities
- 57th in Best Global Universities in Europe
- 17th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom
Best Subjects-
- Agricultural Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- Biology and Biochemistry
- Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Clinical Medicine
- Computer Science
- Economics and Business
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Energy and Fuels
- Engineering
- Environment/Ecology
- Food Science and Technology
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Geosciences
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Neuroscience and Behavior
- Oncology
- Optics
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physical Chemistry
- Physics
University of Sheffield
The Sheffield Medical School (established in 1828), Firth College (1879), and the Sheffield Technical School were the forerunners of the University (1884).
The University College of Sheffield, which was founded in 1897 as a result of the union of these three institutions, later changed its name to the University of Sheffield in 1905.
| Total number of students | 27,685 |
| Number of undergraduate degrees awarded | 5,230 |
| Number of master’s degrees awarded | 4,370 |
| Number of international students | 10,080 |
University of Sheffield Rankings-
- 135th in Best Global Universities
- 51st in Best Global Universities in Europe
- 14th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom
Best subjects-
- Arts and Humanities
- Biology and Biochemistry
- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Medicine
- Computer Science
- Economics and Business
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Energy and Fuels
- Engineering
- Environment/Ecology
- Geosciences
- Materials Science
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Neuroscience and Behavior
- Oncology
- Physical Chemistry
- Physics
- Plant and Animal Science
- Polymer Science
- Psychiatry/Psychology
- Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
Course Duration
For MS in Chemical Engineering in UK-
Full time- 1 year
Part-time- 2–3 years
Entrance Exam
- IELTS- 6.0-6.5
- TOEFL IBT- 80-92
- PTE- 51-64
Tuition fees
The master’s in Chemical Engineering is a one-year degree at the majority of engineering colleges in the UK. The program’s tuition costs range from £20,000 to £35,000. The scholarships available to study Chemical Engineering in the UK can help to pay for this substantial sum.
Although the price may seem high when compared to nations like Canada, the USA, etc., it can be said that the UK offers a Chemical Engineering degree at a lower cost than other well-known study-abroad locations.
| University name | Tuition fees |
| Imperial College London | £35,000 |
| University College London | £35,000 |
| University of Manchester | £27,000 |
| University of Leeds | £25,000 |
| University of Nottingham | £26,000 |
| University of Strathclyde | £20,000 |
Job Profile
- Chemical Engineer
- Biochemical Engineer
- Petrochemical Engineer
- Chemical process Engineer
- Chemical Engineering Consultant
Scholarships for MS in Chemical Engineering in UK
Your finances may be strained if you pursue a master’s in the UK. But thankfully, there are several financial options available to overseas students in the UK.
The scholarships you can choose from while studying your MS in Chemical Engineering in the UK are listed below-
| University name | Scholarships | Applicable for | Award |
| Imperial College London | Great Scholarship | Masters in Engineering, Medicine or Natural Sciences | £10,000 |
| University College London | ·IOE Centenary Masters Scholarships ·Commonwealth Scholarship |
·PG taught courses ·PG taught courses |
Accommodation for a year, tuition fees·.20% of the tuition fee |
| University of Manchester | India Scholarship for Masters Study | Indian students in PG courses of Science and Engineering | £5,000 |
| University of Nottingham | South Asia Postgraduate Excellence Award | PG courses | £4,000 of tuition fees |
| University of Birmingham | Chevening Scholarship | PG courses | Flight fares, accommodation and course fees. |
| University of Leeds | International Masters Engineering and Computing Scholarship-
School of Chemical and Process Engineering |
PG Chemical Engineering courses | £2,000 |
| University of Strathclyde | Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships | Engineering courses | £3,150 |
Career Prospects
Chemical Engineering master’s degree holders find jobs with top companies in the UK’s pharmaceutical, fine and heavy chemical, and agrochemical industries as well as in gas and oil extraction, oil refining, nuclear and other power generation, and process industries.
Many chemical engineers can work for engineering consultancy and contracting companies in the UK. Opportunities exist to work in the fields of pollution prevention, environmental protection, energy efficiency, recycling, and alternative energy.
Below is a representation of some of the well-known industries where program graduates are employed:
The table below lists job titles and typical salaries for graduates in Chemical Engineering-
| Designation | Salary (per annum) |
| Chemical engineer | £40,000 |
| Chemical engineering consultant | £65,000 |
| Biochemical engineer | £33,000 |
| Petrochemical engineer | £38,000 |
| Chemical process engineer | £42,000 |
| Energy engineer | £40,000 |
| Process development engineer | £40,000 |
| Nuclear engineer | £50,000 |
| Materials engineer | £35,000 |
Chemical engineers’ employment is predicted by the BLS to expand by only 4% between 2012 and 2022, which is less than the average for all occupations. According to the BLS, “Demand for chemical engineers’ services depends heavily on demand for various manufacturing businesses’ products.”
For highly qualified candidates, particularly those who have kept up with the most recent advancements in technology, there should still be plenty work prospects.
Apply for this course
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