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Program Overview
If you’re curious about how raw materials are transformed into everyday products and want a degree that balances theory with real, hands-on problem solving, UCL’s BEng in Chemical Engineering is a fantastic choice. It’s designed for ambitious students who want to combine science, creativity, and teamwork to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, from sustainable energy to new medicines.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
In your first year you’ll build a solid foundation in the core sciences that drive chemical engineering, with modules like Thermodynamics, Transport Phenomena, and Physical Chemistry. You’ll also get a taste of real engineering work early on through Design and Professional Skills 1 and the Engineering Challenges project, where you’ll start applying classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Year 2
The second year deepens your technical knowledge with modules such as Separation Processes I & II, Process Heat Transfer, and Chemical Reaction Engineering I. You’ll also strengthen your design skills in Design and Professional Skills II, while the Engineering Experimentation module gives you practical lab experience. To broaden your horizons, you’ll choose an IEP Minor—a set of modules from across UCL Engineering that let you explore areas outside chemical engineering.
Year 3
In your final year, everything comes together. You’ll work on the Process Plant Design Project, where your team takes a plant from initial concept all the way through safety, environmental analysis, and costings—just like in industry. Core modules like Process Dynamics and Control, Advanced Safety and Loss Prevention, and Chemical Reaction Engineering II push you to a professional level, and you’ll have the option to spend a Year in Industry to gain first-hand work experience.
Focus areas: chemical engineering fundamentals, process design, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, safety & risk, computational modelling, multidisciplinary teamwork.
Learning outcomes: you’ll graduate with strong technical knowledge, hands-on lab and design experience, and the ability to solve complex engineering problems while working in diverse teams—skills that employers in every sector are looking for.
Professional alignment: this degree is fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), setting you on the path to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Reputation: UCL graduates are highly employable—87.5% are in work or further study within six months. Employers span industries from energy and manufacturing to consulting and finance, with names like Johnson Matthey, BP, Deloitte, and Deutsche Bank on the list.
At UCL, Chemical Engineering isn’t just about sitting in lecture theatres—it’s about rolling up your sleeves and learning through experience. You’ll get to solve real industrial problems in group projects, use cutting-edge labs and equipment, and even step into industry with a placement year if you choose. It’s the kind of learning that prepares you for the real world from day one.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Team challenges that feel like the real thing – you’ll work on fast-paced, scenario-based projects where you present your ideas to “executives” and collaborate under pressure, just as you would in industry.
Year in Industry (optional) – spend 12 months working in a real engineering company, applying your knowledge to live projects while building professional experience and contacts.
Specialist laboratories you’ll have access to include:
NICE Labs with advanced tools like a nanoscribe 3D printer, sorption analysers and custom chemical reactors.
X-ray Microscopy Labs for detailed, non-destructive imaging of materials.
Adaptive Nanomaterials Labs where you’ll use HPLC-MS, spectroscopy, and advanced optical microscopy.
Crystallisation & Nanoparticle Labs with particle sizing, high-speed cameras, and advanced microscopy.
Fluidization & Imaging Labs featuring pulsed X-ray systems and pilot-scale reactors.
Materials & Catalysis Lab with reactors, GC-MS and a full battery testing facility.
Bio-Energy Technology Research Lab (BETR), home to pilot-scale reactors and plasma catalysis tools for sustainable energy research.
Hands-on experimentation – modules like Engineering Experimentation give you structured lab sessions where you apply theory and analyse real data.
Broader resources – as a UCL student you’ll also benefit from the university’s world-class libraries, computing resources, and connections with UCL’s leading institutes.
Future Progression & Opportunities
A degree in Chemical Engineering from UCL sets you up for a wide range of exciting career paths. Many of our graduates move straight into roles like Process Engineer, Consulting Analyst, R&D Engineer, or jobs in the energy and sustainability sector. Others choose to branch out into finance, tech, or management thanks to the transferable skills the course develops.
Here’s what you can expect after graduation:
Tailored career support – UCL Careers will help you polish your CV, practise interview techniques, and connect with top employers through networking events and fairs.
Strong employment outcomes – within 15 months of finishing the degree, graduates report average salaries of around £35,000 (rising to £45,500 after 5 years).
Industry links built into your degree – scenario-based projects and design work mirror real industrial challenges, while UCL’s partnerships with leading companies open up opportunities for placements and internships.
Professional recognition – the degree is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), putting you on the pathway to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng), a status that’s highly respected worldwide.
Impressive destinations – UCL graduates go on to work in energy, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, finance, and consulting, joining employers like Johnson Matthey, BP, Deloitte, and Deutsche Bank.
In A level, Mathematics and Chemistry required in.Biology, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Physics and Psychology preferred.In IGCSE curriculum, English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.In IB curriculum, A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects to include grades 6,6 in Mathematics and Chemistry, with no higher level score below 5. Another science at higher level preferred, but not essential. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.Overall Score: 6.5 (Minimum 6.0 in each component)TOEFL - Overall Score: 92 (Reading & Writing: 24/30, Speaking & Listening: 20/30)”CBSE - The Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard XII awarded with five subjects at 90, 90, 90, 90, 90 to include three core subjects.American Curriculum: Equivalency AP plus SAT Reasoning test/ACT: 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1280 in SAT (1) Reasoning test or a composite score of 27 in ACT taken in the final three years of high school.Process EngineerEnergy & Sustainability EngineerPharmaceuticals & Biotechnology RolesFinancial & Data AnalystManufacturing & Product Development EngineerResearch & Development (R&D) Scientist/EngineerManagement Consultant
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