Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury

Chemical Engineering with Study Abroad MEng

This four-year Chemical Engineering MEng course builds on the knowledge and experience offered by the Chemical Engineering BEng course, incorporating a final-year research project and advanced modules. The programme offers a direct route to IChemE membership and Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. This course offers the option of an additional year abroad or in industry.

Key information

Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years full time
Fees
Application deadlines

Additional requirements for Chemical Engineering with Study Abroad MEng

Students must meet specific academic requirements and secure approval from the Department of Chemical Engineering to ensure the exchange aligns with their course. The Department normally only considers candidates with an accumulated average above 65%. Please note that external factors may affect the availability of exchange opportunities or a student’s ability to participate in the year abroad, even where the academic criteria are met.

Please see details of Chemical Engineering MEng for the entry requirements of the overall course.

About this course

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 courses 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 course at the end of Year 3. 

This course 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.  

The year abroad takes place in Year 4 of this four-year degree. This option enables students to apply to study at a partner institution and fully immerse themselves in a different academic and cultural environment. Your final MEng year will include a research project, an advanced design project, and other advanced module options.

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.  

Course structure

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 will enjoy a final integrated Master’s year on your Year Abroad. Your final MEng year will include a research project, an advanced design project, and other advanced module options (module options will depend on those available at the host institution).

Modules

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).

The modules shown below are an indicative list of those currently available as part of the full degree. This includes modules that may be available before selecting a study option and those that may be available after a student moves onto the study option.

Fees and funding

Fee comparison by study mode and student status.
Study mode UK fee (2026/27) Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time £9,790 £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. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

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.

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 for Chemical Engineering with Study Abroad MEng

Study Abroad

Please note that if you undertake study abroad year, it is likely to incur additional costs and students are expected to cover these themselves. 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. 

Although not an exhaustive list, there are a number of key costs that you will be required to cover yourself before and during a study abroad year or placement. These include:  

  • Visa costs  
  • Travel to and from your host country 
  • Accommodation whilst abroad  
  • Day-to-day living costs, including food, academic materials, and travel within your host country  

 

 

Please see Chemical Engineering MEng for details of additional costs for the overall course.

Why study this course at UCL?

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 course 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.

This course 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.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

Professional accreditation

This course 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).

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How to apply

Apply for Chemical Engineering MEng to access this study option. Please note that you will need to meet any additional requirements for this study option to be considered.

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