Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers develop innovative processes to turn raw materials into useful products, such as fuels, plastics, foods, and medicines. The discipline applies the principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and thermodynamics to the design and operation of industrial-scale processes, addressing the challenges of efficiency, safety, environmental impact, and economic viability that arise when laboratory reactions must be scaled up to produce millions of tonnes of product. Chemical engineering is central to almost every manufacturing industry and is increasingly important to the energy transition and the development of sustainable processes.

At the University of Chester, this four-year full-time programme includes an integrated foundation year, which provides a thorough grounding in the scientific and mathematical principles needed for degree-level chemical engineering study. The foundation year makes the programme accessible to students who do not yet have the full prerequisite scientific background for direct entry, and it builds the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in the main degree. You will learn the key principles of chemical engineering and how to apply them across a huge range of processes, including the elimination of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, the production of pharmaceuticals, and the development of sustainable materials.

The programme develops both your scientific understanding and your engineering judgment, preparing you to tackle the complex, real-world problems that chemical engineers address.

Graduates are in demand across the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, food and drink, chemical, environmental, and energy sectors. Many pursue professional engineering registration, building towards chartered engineer status, and postgraduate study in chemical or process engineering is a route for those who wish to develop specialist expertise. The quantitative and analytical skills the degree develops are also valued in consultancy, project management, and technical research roles across a broad range of industries.