BEng Hons Chemical Engineering with Year Abroad

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

If you’re curious about how chemistry can be used to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges—like clean energy, safe water, or sustainable manufacturing—then Chemical Engineering at Queen Mary could be a great fit. The course combines your strengths in maths and science with hands-on projects, labs, and real industry insights to prepare you for a career where you can make a real impact.


Curriculum Structure

Year 0 / Foundation Year
For students who need an extra year to get ready, the foundation year builds your confidence in maths and science. You’ll cover subjects like Foundations of Chemical Science and Further Mathematics, giving you the solid start you need before stepping into the full degree.

Year 1
Your first year is all about building the basics. You’ll get a taste of everything—from Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics to Engineering Design and Materials Chemistry. Alongside lectures, you’ll work in labs and group projects, making sure you don’t just learn the theory but also practice applying it.

Year 2
Now things start to feel more like “real” chemical engineering. You’ll study Heat and Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Separation Processes—all central to how industries design and run chemical plants. You’ll also look at Process Control and Process Design and Simulation, which show you how engineers actually make large-scale systems work efficiently and safely.

Year 3
By third year, you’re putting it all together. The big highlight is the Design Project, where you’ll work with classmates to design an entire chemical process from scratch—just like in industry. Along the way, you’ll learn about Process Safety and Loss Prevention, Sustainability Assessment for Design, and new areas like Electrochemical Engineering and Catalysis. This is where you start thinking like a professional engineer.

Year 4 (MEng only)
If you go for the MEng option, your final year lets you dive deeper into advanced topics and tailor the course to your interests. You’ll take on an Individual Research Project, and have the chance to study areas like Advanced Water Treatment, Renewable Fuels, or even Machine Learning for Engineering. It’s a chance to specialise and stand out in the job market.


Focus areas

Sustainability • Energy & Fuels • Reaction Engineering • Process Design & Simulation • Advanced Materials & Chemistry • Safety & Environment • Industrial Perspectives


Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll know how to design and simulate chemical processes, understand the science behind reactions and separations, and evaluate projects for safety and sustainability. Just as importantly, you’ll have honed your problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills—everything employers look for in an engineer.


Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), which means it’s officially recognised as meeting the standards for professional engineering. It puts you on the pathway to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng)—a mark of quality that employers worldwide respect.


Reputation & Employability

Queen Mary is ranked among the top 110 universities worldwide (QS 2026), and its strong research culture means you’ll be learning from experts at the forefront of chemical engineering. Graduates go into industries like energy, pharmaceuticals, and environmental engineering, with employers ranging from global companies to innovative start-ups.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen Mary, you won’t just sit in lecture halls learning equations—you’ll be in labs, design studios, and computer suites putting those ideas into practice. From your very first year, you’ll get hands-on with experiments, use industry-standard software, and take part in projects that mirror the kind of work engineers actually do. By the time you graduate, you’ll already have the kind of practical experience employers look for.

Here’s what that looks like in real life:

  • Specialist laboratories – You’ll spend time in dedicated spaces for chemistry, fluids, heat transfer, combustion, and thermal analysis, plus purpose-built teaching labs where you’ll apply theory straight away.

  • Digital tools & simulation – Modules like Process Design and Simulation give you experience with professional engineering software, helping you model real industrial systems before stepping into the workplace.

  • Team projects – From first-year experiments to the big Design Project in third year, you’ll work in groups to tackle engineering problems, learning how to collaborate like professionals do in industry.

  • Internships & work placements – Queen Mary’s Careers & Enterprise team connects you with opportunities like micro-internships, insight weeks, and specialist placement bootcamps run by the School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS).

  • Research & innovation facilities – You’ll have access to advanced labs for electrochemistry, energy technologies, materials characterisation, and even a makerspace for prototyping and hands-on builds.

  • Study & support resources – Alongside labs, you’ll use the Queen Mary Library, computer rooms, and collaborative study spaces—plus guidance from academic staff who are active researchers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Chemical Engineering program at Queen Mary University of London are well-equipped to embark on successful careers in various sectors. With a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, they often pursue roles such as:

  • Process Engineer

  • Environmental Consultant

  • Energy Systems Analyst

  • Research and Development Specialist

Career Support and Industry Connections:

Queen Mary's School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) offers robust support to enhance employability:

  • Career Services: Access to career fairs, workshops, and one-on-one counseling to prepare for the job market.

  • Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with leading companies like Molycop and institutions such as the BBC and IBM, providing opportunities for internships and collaborative projects.

  • Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), facilitating pathways to professional recognition as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Graduate Outcomes:

  • Employment Rate: Approximately 92% of SEMS graduates are employed or engaged in further study within six months of graduation.

  • Average Salary: Graduates earn an average starting salary of £34,500 within six months of completing their degree.

  • Highly Skilled Employment: 93% of those employed are in high-skilled roles, with 100% earning above the median salary.

Further Academic Progression:

Upon completing the Chemical Engineering program, graduates have several avenues for further academic advancement:

  • Postgraduate Studies: Pursue a Master's degree in specialized fields such as Advanced Chemical Engineering, Renewable Energy, or Sustainable Process Engineering.

  • Doctoral Research: Engage in PhD programs focusing on areas like materials science, process optimization, or environmental engineering.

  • Professional Development: Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses to stay current with industry advancements and maintain professional accreditation.

Program Key Stats

£TBA (Annual cost)
£
£ 29
Sept Intake : 14th Jan


Eligibility Criteria

AAB
3.3
34
80

NA
NA
6.0
79

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Analytical chemist
  • Energy manager and Manufacturing engineer

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