Program Overview
Chemical engineers design the processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms and energy into the essential products of modern life.
Building a sustainable future is one of the biggest engineering challenges we face. Our unique Chemical Engineering programme focuses on renewable energies, teaching our students to apply their chemical engineering expertise to develop greener energy solutions.
In Years 1 and 2 you’ll build a strong foundation in fundamental engineering concepts such as fluid mechanics, design, materials and mathematical modelling, whilst being introduced to Chemical Engineering through specialised modules covering topics such as materials chemistry, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics and chemical reaction engineering. Modules in design and experimental practice, will help you to develop the practical workshop and laboratory-based skills necessary for all engineers, and put core programme material into perspective and to practical use.
For your third-year design project you’ll collaborate with peers to design a sustainable drinking water treatment plant or a biomass gasification plant, using your gained knowledge to invent innovative approaches and design new sustainable energy pathways.
Students who choose to take the MEng degree will learn advanced modules and carry out an industry or research-linked project that focuses on solving real engineering research and design problems.
Our teaching, in one of the most sought after STEM disciplines, is underpinned by cutting edge research preparing leaders for tomorrow's world. The applications from our research range from creating catalysts on a molecular scale, sustainable drinking water treatment for developing countries and valuable carbon materials from organic waste, to sustainable extraction of nutritional, pharmaceutical, biofuel and cosmetic products from micro-algal cultures using advanced biochemical engineering techniques. State of the art labs allow students access to the best analytical instrumentation. Some students even travel to international synchrotron facilities and zero-gravity missions with the European Space Agency.
We’ve recently undertaken a review of our programmes to ensure that they will prepare you for life beyond 2030 and ensure they reflect the global challenges facing both our society and your future as engineers. We have developed the modules we offer in consultation with our students, staff and industry to enhance your student experience and graduate employability.
Our graduate attributes matrix supports students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed both personally and professionally. Using this matrix you will recognise and record the wide-ranging skills you develop over the duration of your programme, reflect on what you want to do in the future and gain the tools you need to effectively market yourself to future employers.
London, United Kingdom
36 Months
£ 25,150
IELTS: 6 TOEFL: 79
Structure
You can complete your Chemical Engineering degree in three, four or five years. A typical BEng programme will comprise 3 years of study, whilst a typical MEng programme will comprise 4 years of study. Study abroad can be taken in Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be taken in Year 4. Industrial Experience can be taken in Year 3 or 4 of a BEng programme or Year 3, 4 or 5 of an MEng programme. Please note that students cannot do both study abroad and a year in industry.
YEAR 0
Foundation
Semester 1
Compulsory
- Physics - Mechanics and Materials
- Essential Foundation Mathematics
- Communication in Science & Technology
- Mathematics B (double module across Semester 1 and 2)
Semester 2
Compulsory
- Physics- Fields and Waves
- Physics - Electricity and Atomic Physics
- Introduction to Engineering
- Mathematics B (double module across Semester 1 and 2)
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
YEAR 1
- Engineering Design
- Experimental Design and Practice 1
- Computational mathematical modelling 1
- Materials Engineering
- Exploring Chemical Engineering
- Experimental Design and Practice 2
- Materials Chemistry
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
YEAR 2
- Applied Fluid mechanics
- Heat and Mass Transfer
- Chemical reaction engineering,
- Phase transformations
- Process control
- Unit operations
- Process design and simulation
- Separation processes
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
YEAR 3
- Design Project (30 credits)
- Fuels and Sustainability
- Catalysis and Reaction Design
- Heat exchange and waste minimisation.
- Electrochemical Engineering and Energy Storage
- Process safety and loss prevention
- Sustainability assessment for design
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
YEAR 4
MEng only
Compulsory
- Membrane Science and Technology
- Research and Design Team Project
- Utility Systems
Choose two from
- Advanced Gas Turbines
- Advanced Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics
- Advanced Materials Characterization Techniques
- Advanced Polymer Synthesis
- Advanced Structure-Property Relationships in Materials
- Energy Storage Engineering
- Introduction to Law for Science and Engineering
- Renewable Energy Sources
- Whole System Design in Sustainable Engineering
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Non-UK students
We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications.
Student Visa Regulations
If you will require a Student visa to study in the UK, you must meet the minimum English Language requirements to meet the UKVI regulations. The minimum IELTS requirement is 5.5 in all four skills (Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening). However, many of our courses require higher grades.
Pre-sessional English Language Courses
If you fall slightly below our standard English language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to our Thirteen week pre-sessional courses. Currently, only IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT and Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE) are accepted. The Pre-sessional English course requirements are published according to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administere
Home fees £9,250
Overseas fees £25,150
Loans and grants
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Scholarships and bursaries
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Chemical engineers are in great demand and have successful careers in energy and power generation, and in process industries such as those producing pharmaceuticals, materials, toiletries and food. There are also opportunities in environmental protection, recycling and alternative energy.
Recent School of Engineering and Materials Science graduates have been hired by:
- Dow Chemical Company
- Genesis Pharmaceuticals
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Rolls-Royce
- Transport for London
- Williams Formula One.