Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is the discipline concerned with transforming raw materials into useful products at scale, using the principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to design, operate, and optimise industrial processes. From oil refining and pharmaceuticals to food production, water treatment, semiconductors, and renewable energy, chemical engineers work at the heart of the industries that underpin modern life. The discipline demands not only deep scientific knowledge but also the engineering judgment to translate laboratory chemistry into safe, efficient, and economically viable industrial operations.

At Newcastle University, this three-year full-time programme offers an exceptionally rich structural package. You will have the opportunity to undertake a placement year in industry, spend a year abroad at a partner institution, and engage with work placements during the course, meaning you will build substantial professional and international experience alongside your academic studies. Newcastle is a well-established centre for chemical engineering education and research, and the programme's strong industry connections feed directly into the teaching.

You will study the core engineering sciences including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and reaction engineering, as well as the process design, safety, and environmental management skills central to professional chemical engineering practice. The typical entry tariff of 120 points reflects the academic demands of a programme built around quantitative scientific reasoning.

Chemical engineering graduates are among the most sought-after of all engineering disciplines, with strong starting salaries and wide career options. Roles in process engineering, research and development, project management, process safety, and technical consultancy are common destinations. The industries that employ chemical engineers include pharmaceuticals, energy, food and drink, materials, environmental services, and advanced manufacturing.

Many graduates go on to achieve chartered engineer status through professional bodies such as the Institution of Chemical Engineers, and postgraduate study or industrial research programmes are popular routes for those who want to develop deep specialist expertise.