Chemical and Petroleum Engineering with Foundation Year

Chemical and petroleum engineering are two of the branches of engineering most directly concerned with the extraction, processing, and transformation of natural resources, and with the design of the industrial processes through which they are turned into useful products. Chemical engineering applies the principles of chemistry, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and process design to create and optimise systems that transform raw materials into chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fuels, materials, and food products. Petroleum engineering focuses specifically on the exploration, extraction, and processing of oil and gas, applying engineering skills to some of the most challenging technical and environmental problems in the energy sector.

At the University of Surrey, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, providing an accessible entry point for students who need to strengthen their scientific and mathematical foundations before engaging with degree-level engineering. From that starting point you will progress through the core of chemical and petroleum engineering, studying thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, process design, reservoir engineering, and the environmental and safety dimensions of industrial operations. You will develop both the theoretical rigour and the practical engineering skills needed to work in complex industrial environments, and you will engage with the challenges facing the energy sector as the world transitions toward lower-carbon energy systems.

You will develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a grounding in process engineering, and an understanding of both the commercial and environmental pressures that shape the chemical and energy industries.

Graduates go on to careers in oil and gas, petrochemicals, refining, pharmaceuticals, food processing, environmental engineering, and the emerging sectors of sustainable energy and carbon capture. Many pursue professional qualifications as chartered engineers. Postgraduate study in chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, or environmental engineering is a well-supported continuation.