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Chemical Engineering BEng

London, Bloomsbury

This broad-based, multidisciplinary programme provides flexible training and an exciting opportunity to follow the widest possible range of careers, from design, construction and installation of processes, plants and equipment to manufacturing and marketing of products, and from research and development to administration and management of people and resources.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
Programme starts
September 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
H800

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
AAA
Subjects
Mathematics and Chemistry required. Biology, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Physics and Psychology preferred.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
ABB more about contextual offers
Subjects
Mathematics at grade A required, plus B in Chemistry. Biology, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Physics and Psychology preferred.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects to include grades 6,6 in Mathematics and Chemistry, with no higher level score below 5. Another science at higher level preferred, but not essential. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Points
34 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects to include grade 6 in Mathematics, plus Chemistry, with no score below 5. An additional science at higher level preferred, but not essential. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Mathematics and Chemistry required. Another science preferred as third subject, but not essential.

AAA at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and AAA at Higher). Mathematics and Chemistry required. Another science at Advanced Higher preferred, but not essential.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA. Mathematics and Chemistry required.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

If you do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry to this undergraduate programme, you may be eligible to apply for the Engineering Foundation Year at UCL. Designed for individuals from non-traditional educational backgrounds who do not meet standard entry requirements for UCL's undergraduate engineering degrees, this pre-degree programme helps you develop confidence, academic and study skills, and subject specific knowledge. On successful completion of the Engineering Foundation Year, you can gain access to a selection of the engineering undergraduate degree programmes at UCL. Find out more about the Engineering Foundation Year.

 

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

The Chemical Engineering BEng and MEng programmes follow a common curriculum for the first three years. A final decision between the different routes can be delayed until the end of the third year when you will have greater experience on which to base your choice. Applicants do not need to apply for more than one programme; all applicants to all programmes are treated equally. Suitably qualified BEng candidates can change to MEng at the end of year three.

In year three you will undertake a compulsory design project, carried out in small teams. Each team designs a complete process plant, including detailed unit design (of, for example, a reactor or a distillation or absorption column), environmental impact, safety and risk assessment, process control and costing.

If you choose the BEng degree, you will complete your studies at the end of the third year. Please note that you will need to complete a period of further training before being granted Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

We are committed to, and encourage you to take, a formal industrial training (sandwich) year during your degree programme. This is usually during the year before your final study year, and provides invaluable experience.

This degree is part of the Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP), a teaching framework that engages students in specialist and interdisciplinary activities designed to create well-rounded graduates with a strong grasp of the fundamentals of their discipline and a broad understanding of the complexity and context of engineering problems. Students register for a core discipline, but also engage in activities that span departments so the development of fundamental technical knowledge takes place alongside specialist and interdisciplinary research-based projects and professional skills. This creates degrees encouraging professional development, with an emphasis on design and challenging students to apply knowledge to complex problems. 

Optional Modules (Integrated Engineering Programme IEP)

Year 2: IEP Minor I*

*Students will choose the IEP Minor towards the end of Year 1 for Year two, the IEP Minor allows them to gain a grounding in another engineering, or relevant discipline or an interdisciplinary topic, by offering a coherent set of three modules (over Years 2 & 3) allowing an introduction to a field, as well as an opportunity to cover an interdisciplinary topic to reasonable depth. Find out more on the Integrated Engineering (IEP) web page.

Year 3: IEP Minor II and III

These modules (IEP Minor modules II and III) are automatically allocated by the IEP (based on their Year 2 Minor Selection).

What this course will give you

At UCL's Department of Chemical Engineering you will be taught by lecturers who are experts in their fields.

The Department offers an impressive national and international network of industrial contacts and has strong collaborative links with other university departments in the UK and abroad.

This degree is part of an integrated programme across engineering providing opportunities to broaden your horizons through interactions with other disciplines. There is also the flexibility to choose the fine details of your individual degree options gradually as you progress through the programme.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BEng (Hons) in Chemical Engineering.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Year 1 – Introductory lectures on Chemical Engineering, computational modelling, and thermodynamics, among others. Students will also take part in the Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP), project-based modules shared by students from across the Faculty of Engineering Sciences.
 
Year 2 – More advanced modules building on the previous year’s courses. IEP minor course begins. Students will choose minor modules from across the faculty of engineering that will continue into year 3. Experimentation module is introduced. Process design principles are introduced.
 
Year 3 – Final year modules alongside IEP minors defined by Year 2 choices. Group design project. Alternatively, Year in Industry with the Year 3 curriculum following during a fourth year of studies.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules







Design and Professional Skills 1



Compulsory modules










Compulsory modules







Your learning

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, interactive tutorials and computer workshops supplemented by coursework and laboratory training, and through our innovative and award-winning scenario-based learning. For problem-solving and design classes you will be using leading-edge computer software. Our programmes offer regular opportunities for students to put their learning into practice.

Undergraduate students are encouraged to take an extramural year (EMY) in industry during their degree as it will significantly improve employment prospects on graduation. This option is taken in the penultimate year of study, between the second and third years. We expect placement partners to offer, at least, minimum wage plus travel expenses incurred for work purposes (except for commuting to and from work).

Hours spent in contact with academic staff for the purposes of learning, teaching, and assessment; undertaken online or in person are approximately 8-10 hours per week. These hours will consist of lectures, tutorials and workshops (typically 8 hours per week), and/or laboratory classes (typically 2 hours per week). The exact number of contact hours and composition varies throughout the term and at different points during the degree programme, the breakdown in relation to optional/elective modules will depend on the choices of the students. Students are expected to undertake approximately 30-40 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Throughout your degree programme, you will be assessed through a combination of assessments, including quizzes, coursework, exams, projects, presentations, etc. You will be required to meet or exceed a range of academic criteria throughout your studies.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Chemical Engineering BEng/MEng Q&A (AM)

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Join our online Q&A and explore the exciting world of Chemical Engineering at UCL. Learn more about our BEng and MEng programmes, meet our outstanding teaching staff and talented students, explore student life on campus, and discover career opportunities. It’s also a fantastic chance to ask any questions you may have. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover how studying Chemical Engineering at UCL can shape your future!

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Chemical Engineering BEng/MEng Q&A (PM)

—

Join our online Q&A and explore the exciting world of Chemical Engineering at UCL. Learn more about our BEng and MEng programmes, meet our outstanding teaching staff and talented students, explore student life on campus, and discover career opportunities. It’s also a fantastic chance to ask any questions you may have. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover how studying Chemical Engineering at UCL can shape your future!

Online - Open day

Chemical Engineering information video

Watch this video to find out more about Chemical Engineering at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

You will have employment opportunities in many sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, oil and gas production, contract engineering and manufacturing. You will also be well prepared to consider further study at postgraduate or doctoral level at UCL or elsewhere.

There are excellent opportunities and career prospects for graduate chemical engineers, both within the UK and overseas. The rewards open to you are attractive - the average income of a chemical engineer, according to the IChemE, is consistently higher than that of graduates in other engineering disciplines.

Employability

Our core programme is designed to develop transferable management, business, professional and personal skills, and the diverse curriculum and training will equip you to be highly employable in the process industries as well as other economic sectors such as management consulting, banking, finance and accountancy.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and meets the academic base requirements, in part, for registration as a Chartered Engineer. The IChemE accredits on behalf of the Engineering Council.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Foundation Year fees for UK students are £6,000.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

This programme does not have any additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying.

Please note, this degree is based at UCL in central London, and some sessions may take place at UCL East in Stratford (30 minutes by public transport from the main Bloomsbury campus). Students will be expected to pay all their travel costs to and between the two sites.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We want to create future chemical engineers. We are seeking students who are motivated, proactive, bright, curious, creative and have a passion for chemical engineering. On this professionally accredited course you must be willing to work hard, both alone and as part of a team, and challenge yourself to make a difference to society in the future. As a chemical engineer, your skills will be in demand to bring innovation in process industries worldwide for manufacturing essential products and work across a large variety of sectors including energy, environment, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, business and management, nuclear, food and drink, chemicals, healthcare, materials, water, biotechnology, process plant and equipment, mining and minerals.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

The department is happy to defer your entry for one year, provided that you have made definite plans for the year, such as working in a relevant field to gain experience or broadening your horizons through travel. The department also supports the Year in Industry scheme: this places students in industrial jobs relevant to their chosen degree in the year before they enter university.

In accordance with UCL's global ethos, the department is delighted to welcome students who apply from overseas. International students currently account for around 50% of our undergraduates.

The department does not interview candidates. Wherever possible, offer holders  based in the UK are invited to visit the department. The visit provides an excellent opportunity to see the department and its facilities.

Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering

ug-chemeng@ucl.ac.uk

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