Chemical Engineering MEng
London, Bloomsbury
This four-year Chemical Engineering MEng programme builds on the knowledge and experience offered by the Chemical Engineering BEng programme, incorporating a final-year research project and advanced modules. The programme offers a direct route to IChemE membership and Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Important notice
-This is the course information for 2026 entry. You can now view details for the 2027 entry.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
Programme starts
September 2026Application deadline
14 Jan 2026UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- 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.
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. Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. We assess your eligibility for Access UCL based on the information contained within your UCAS application. We review and update our Access UCL eligibility criteria and datasets every year, so please check the requirements for the year you plan to apply.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
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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
Chemical engineers address global challenges, from advancing sustainable energy to designing processes that improve health and quality of life. At UCL, you will study in a multidisciplinary, research-driven environment, building strong foundations in sustainable process design, thermodynamics and reaction engineering, while developing skills to solve complex, real-world problems.
The BEng and MEng programmes share a common curriculum during Years 1 to 3, allowing you to explore the fundamentals before choosing your final route. Suitably qualified BEng students may transfer to the MEng programme at the end of Year 3. Students on the MEng programme have the option to spend their final year following the standard MEng route or the Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Engineering Mathematics or Study Abroad routes.
This programme forms part of the Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP), engaging students in interdisciplinary and team-based activities. These immersive, solution-oriented experiences will teach you how to apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges in energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors, fostering technical expertise, teamwork, and decision-making. Through the IEP Minor options, you will also explore complementary fields, with available modules covering areas such as programming, business, sustainability or molecular engineering. In Year 3, you will also work in small teams to design a complete chemical process plant. This includes unit design, environmental impact, safety and sustainability assessment, process control, and costing—offering an experience that reflects industry challenges.
Your final MEng year will include a research project, an advanced design project, and other advanced module options, depending on your chosen route.
We also encourage and welcome you to broaden your skills and career prospects by undertaking a Year in Industry.
At UCL, you will study in advanced facilities guided by world-leading experts in their field, graduating ready to drive change and lead in fields such as research, development, consulting, and management.
What this course will give you
In the Department of Chemical Engineering, you gain industry-relevant skills and hands-on experience through a multidisciplinary curriculum taught by world-leading experts. The department’s strong research portfolio and links with global industries and academic institutions provide unique opportunities for collaboration and professional development.
You work in state-of-the-art facilities, including cutting-edge laboratories and with access to advanced industrial software, preparing you to tackle challenges in sustainability, advanced materials, and chemical or pharmaceutical processes. The programme emphasises practical learning, with opportunities to engage in team-based scenarios and design projects that mirror real-world engineering challenges. The Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP) gives you the opportunity to team up with students across engineering disciplines to solve practical problems and explore complementary topics. Studying at UCL, a global hub for innovation in the heart of London, gives you access to industry events, networking opportunities, and potential placements with leading companies. The optional Year in Industry or Year Abroad further enriches your experience and broadens your career prospects.
This programme helps equip you with the skills, technical knowledge, and global perspective to lead in a range of roles, from research and development to management and consultancy.
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 480 credits, you will be awarded a MEng (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.
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Year 1 – You are introduced to chemical engineering fundamentals, including thermodynamics, computational modelling, and process principles. Through the Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP), you engage in project-based modules and participate in problem-based Scenarios, applying your knowledge to practical challenges.
Year 2 – You build on Year 1 with advanced modules, begin your IEP Minor option stream, and take an experimentation module. Further Scenarios develop your technical, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Year 3 – You complete final-BEng year modules and a group design project, where you collaborate to design a complete process plant.
Year 4 – You choose the standard MEng route or specialise in Chemistry, Engineering Mathematics, Biochemistry, or undertake a Year Abroad. You complete a research project, an advanced design project, and select advanced module options, or defer Year 4 to a fifth year after a Year in Industry.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
All modules are compulsory.
Compulsory modules
IEP Minor I*
*Students will choose the IEP Minor for years two and three towards the end of year one. 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 and 3), allowing an introduction to a complementary field, as well as an opportunity to cover an interdisciplinary topic to reasonable depth. Find out more on the Integrated Engineering (IEP) web page.
Other modules are compulsory.
Compulsory modules
IEP Minor II and III*
You will continue with the second and third module of your chosen IEP Minor. Find out more on the Integrated Engineering (IEP) web page.
Other modules are compulsory.
Compulsory modules
Route Options:
Below is a list of all the current optional and compulsory final year modules. The exact modules might change in the future and depend on which MEng route and IEP Minors the student chose in the previous year(s).
Current Compulsory module(s) per route:
Route: Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering Research Project
Process Systems Modelling and Design
Route: Chemical Engineering (Chemistry)
Chemical Engineering with Chemistry Research Project
Process Systems Modelling and Design
Advanced Materials Processes and Nanotechnology
Advanced Topics in Environmental and Energy Materials
Route: Chemical Engineering (Engineering Mathematics)
Chemical Engineering with Engineering Mathematics Research Project
Process Systems Modelling and Design
Advanced Process Optimisation
Mathematical Methods 4
Route: Chemical Engineering (Biochemical)
Bioprocess Research Project
Integrated Downstream Processing
Bioprocess Systems Engineering
Advanced Bioreactor Engineering
Biochemical Engineering Laboratory
Sustainable Industrial Bioprocesses and Biorefineries
Fundamental Biosciences
Route: Chemical Engineering (Study Abroad)
Successful students may be able to transfer to the Year Abroad degree programme and go on a year overseas at a partner university for the final year of their MEng. On this route, you will spend your final year in a selected university in Europe (currently France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, or Greece), the USA or Australia. If you spend your final year in a non-English speaking country, you will need to have taken language modules as an IEP Minor in years two and three (unless you are already proficient in the language). While on your year abroad, you will take modules at the host institution relevant to your degree programme. Delivery methods and assessment will be determined by the host institution. Your module choices must be discussed with, and approved by, the Study Abroad Tutor. The weighted average grade (or GPA) you are awarded by your host institution will be converted to an equivalent UCL grade and entered as the grade for this module. For more information visit the UCL study abroad website.
Optional modules per route:
Routes: Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering (Chemistry, Engineering Mathematics)
You will select from a range of advanced optional modules in Chemical Engineering, other engineering disciplines, Chemistry, Management or Languages (currently minimum two modules from Depth and two modules from Breadth, and maximum one module from non-Chemical Engineering modules).
Modules are dependent on availability and may be subject to change.
Depth modules:
Advanced Process Optimisation
Fluid Particle Systems
Molecular Thermodynamics
Advanced Separation Processes
Data Driven Process Engineering
Breadth modules:
Energy Systems and Sustainability
Electrochemical Engineering and Power Sources
Nature Inspired Chemical Engineering
Advanced Materials Processes and Nanotechnology
Oil and Gas Extraction, Processing, and the Sustainable Energy Transition
Mining and Mineral Processing
Prevention and Remediation of Environmental Contamination
Advanced Propulsion Systems
Renewable Energy in the Resources Sector
Sustainable Water Resource Management
Sustainable Waste Management
Route: Chemical Engineering (Biochemical)
All final-year modules are compulsory.
Your learning
Teaching combines traditional lectures, interactive tutorials, and computational workshops with laboratory training and coursework. Thanks to our innovative and award-winning scenario-based learning, you engage in group projects, applying knowledge to solve real-world challenges. Problem-solving and design classes use cutting-edge software, with regular opportunities to practise your skills through hands-on activities and collaborative work.
You are encouraged to take an optional Year in Industry, which will provide invaluable real-world experience and enhance your employment prospects upon graduation. The Year in Industry is typically taken between the third and fourth years, and is a placement with a leading energy, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing company. During the Year in Industry, you apply academic learning in a professional setting, gaining valuable insights into industry practices.
Direct contact hours typically range from 8-10 hours per week, depending on the year of study and module choices. These include lectures, tutorials, and workshops and/or laboratory classes. The exact number and composition of contact hours may vary across the terms and throughout the degree programme based on optional or elective module selections.
Students are expected to undertake approximately 30 hours of independent study per week. This self-directed study includes engaging with key topics, completing required readings, preparing assignments, and consolidating knowledge gained during contact sessions.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including written exams, coursework, quizzes, individual or group projects, laboratory reports, and presentations. Assessments are designed to evaluate your understanding of key concepts, practical skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Accessibility
The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.
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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.
The foundation of your career
There are excellent career prospects for chemical engineers, both within the UK and overseas. The rewards are attractive, with the average income consistently higher than that of other engineering disciplines (IChemE Salary survey 2024).
UCL’s Chemical Engineering graduates pursue careers in a variety of sectors, with 87.5% in full-time or self-employment within six months of graduation. Popular industries include accountancy and financial services (28%), manufacturing (16%), IT and technology (12%), engineering (12%), and consultancy (8%)*. Secured roles range from production and process engineers to management consultants, data analysts, and software developers. Employers include leading organisations such as Johnson Matthey, BP, Deloitte, ExxonMobil, and Deutsche Bank.*
*Graduate Outcomes Survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-2021 cohorts.
Employability
This programme equips you with a broad range of career-related skills, including technical expertise in process design, problem-solving and data analysis. You will also develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, project management, teamwork, and effective written and oral communication. These skills make our graduates highly desirable across sectors such as the process industries, management consulting, finance, and beyond.
Accreditation
This programme, including the Chemistry, Biochemical, Study Abroad, Engineering Mathematics and Year in Industry routes, is fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and meets the requirements for education background, in full, for registration with the Engineering Council as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2026/27) | £9,790 |
| Tuition fees (2026/27) | £42,700 |
UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval 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.
International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.
International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.
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, or printing. Indicative prices for printing can be found here. For the costs of the Year Abroad option, please refer to the UCL study abroad website.
In addition, please note that if you wish to study abroad during your programme at UCL, this is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.
Please note, this degree is based at UCL's Bloomsbury Campus, and some sessions may occasionally 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 between the two sites. The cost of a single journey between campuses is £3.40, as of January 2025.
For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1–2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. 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.
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
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.
Got questions? Get in touch
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