BEng Chemical Engineering

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Aston University

Program Overview

At Aston, Chemical Engineering isn’t just about textbooks and equations — it’s about learning how to design real processes that keep industries running, from clean energy to food production. This degree is perfect if you enjoy problem-solving, chemistry, and maths, but also want to see how your ideas can make a difference in the world.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building strong foundations
Your first year sets you up with the essentials. You’ll study modules like Mathematics for Chemical Engineers, Chemistry for Engineers and Introduction to Transfer Processes. Alongside these, you’ll get hands-on in labs, learning how engineers think and solve problems safely and professionally.

Year 2 – Becoming a problem-solver
Now you’ll start piecing things together. With modules such as Process Design, Reaction Engineering and Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, you’ll learn how to design, analyse and control real chemical processes. Expect to spend time in labs, using software for simulations, and working on projects that mirror industry practice.

Placement Year (optional)
One of Aston’s standout features is its optional placement year. Many students choose this route, working with companies like Unilever, ExxonMobil, or AstraZeneca. It’s a year where you can put everything you’ve learned into practice, earn a salary, and come back with skills that make your CV shine.

Final Year – Pulling it all together
In your final year, you’ll focus on advanced areas like Process Economics, Safety and Sustainability, and Pollution Control. The highlight is your big design project — working either individually or in a team to solve a real engineering challenge from scratch, just like a professional chemical engineer would.

Focus areas

Learning outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll be confident designing and improving chemical processes, using specialist software, and evaluating them for cost, safety, and sustainability. You’ll also leave with strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills — all highly valued by employers.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The degree is fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). This means your degree counts directly towards becoming a Chartered Engineer, a status that employers in the UK and abroad really respect.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Aston has an excellent track record in employability. The Chemical Engineering program is ranked 3rd in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2025, and graduates typically earn around £36,100 just three years after finishing.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best things about studying Chemical Engineering at Aston is how much of it is hands-on. You’re not just sitting in lectures; you’ll spend a lot of time in labs, using industry-standard software, and even getting the chance to test out full pilot-scale equipment. On top of that, Aston strongly encourages every student to take a placement year — so you graduate with real professional experience already under your belt.

Here’s a closer look at how you’ll actually learn:

Specialist labs and pilot plant facilities – You’ll run real experiments on separation units, reactors, fluid flow and heat exchangers, and even get access to a pilot-scale plant, which feels like stepping into a mini-factory.
Process design software – From your second year onward, you’ll use professional tools to simulate and model chemical plants, giving you the kind of digital design skills employers look for.
Placement year in industry – With Aston’s Careers & Placements team, you’ll have the option to spend a year working at leading companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus or GlaxoSmithKline, making you stand out when it’s time to apply for graduate jobs.
Projects and group work – You’ll design rigs, tackle group challenges, and in your final year you’ll take on a major design project that brings everything you’ve learned together.
Cutting-edge research exposure – You’ll have access to Aston’s advanced facilities, like the Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute and materials characterisation labs, where you can see how chemical engineering research is shaping the future.
Learning support – Whether it’s maths refreshers, study skills, or peer learning schemes, Aston has tailored academic support to make sure you’re confident in both the theory and the practical work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Studying Chemical Engineering at Aston doesn’t just prepare you for exams — it sets you up for a career with impact. Our graduates go into roles like Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Environmental Consultant, or Operations Specialist, often landing positions with well-known names like BP, Unilever, Rolls-Royce and Airbus. Because you’ll graduate with real industry experience and an accredited degree, you’ll be ready to move into responsible, well-paid roles quickly.

Here’s what makes Aston stand out when it comes to career support and graduate outcomes:

Dedicated career support – Aston’s award-winning Careers & Placements team will be by your side, helping you secure placements, polish your CV, practice interviews, and connect with employers through the Chemical Engineering Industry Club.
Strong earning potential – Aston Chemical Engineering graduates earn around £29,000 just 15 months after finishing, rising to £31,000 after 3 years, and an average of £38,500 after 5 years.
Real industry connections – With partners like Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Procter & Gamble, ExxonMobil, BP, and even CERN, you’ll benefit from placements, live projects, and networking opportunities that open real doors.
Accredited by IChemE – Your degree is recognised globally by the Institution of Chemical Engineers, a key step towards becoming a Chartered Engineer, which adds long-term professional value.
Proven results – Aston is consistently ranked in the UK top 20 for graduate salaries, with chemical engineering graduates averaging £36,100 just three years after graduating.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to take your studies further, Aston makes it easy to progress onto the MEng Chemical Engineering, which gives you advanced technical knowledge and an integrated master’s qualification. Many graduates also choose postgraduate study (MSc or PhD) in areas like renewable energy, sustainability, or process design, often working alongside Aston’s research hubs such as the Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute.