Enter OTP
If you’re curious about how everyday products are made—whether that’s medicines, sustainable fuels, or advanced materials—this degree gives you the scientific knowledge and practical skills to make it happen. At UCL, the Chemical Engineering BEng is designed for students who enjoy problem-solving, maths, and chemistry, and want to use them to tackle real-world challenges.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
You’ll begin by building a strong foundation in the core principles of the discipline. Modules like Introduction to Chemical Engineering, Thermodynamics, Transport Processes I, Mathematics for Engineers I, and Physical Chemistry for Chemical Engineers give you the tools to understand how materials and energy behave in engineered systems. It’s about learning the language of chemical engineering before you start applying it.
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll take this knowledge further into real systems. You’ll look at Separation Processes, advanced topics in heat and mass transfer, and continue strengthening your computational skills. There’s more lab-based work too, where you’ll apply theory in practice and get familiar with the same modelling software used by professionals in industry.
Year 3
The final year brings everything together with a major group design project. You and your peers will design a full process plant from scratch—factoring in safety, efficiency, environmental impact, and cost. Alongside this, you’ll study advanced modules that prepare you for professional practice or postgraduate study, giving you both technical expertise and team-based project experience.
Focus areas: process design, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, safety and sustainability, computational modelling
Learning outcomes: graduate with the ability to design, analyse, and optimise chemical processes; strong lab and project skills; advanced problem-solving; teamwork and communication; readiness for professional roles in energy, pharmaceuticals, biotech, or manufacturing
Professional alignment (accreditation): fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), meeting the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
Reputation (employability rankings): UCL Chemical Engineering graduates are highly sought after—87.5% are employed or self-employed within six months of finishing. Alumni have gone on to work with leading employers such as Johnson Matthey, BP, Deloitte, and ExxonMobil. Salaries are typically above the average for engineering graduates.
At UCL, studying Chemical Engineering is far from just sitting in lectures—it’s about rolling up your sleeves and applying what you’ve learned in real-world settings. From the very first year, you’ll gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art labs, learn to use industry-standard software, and work on projects that mirror the challenges professional engineers face every day. Whether it’s designing processes, running experiments, or building prototypes, you’ll develop practical skills that employers value.
Some of the ways you’ll gain these experiences include:
Centre for Nature-Inspired Engineering (CNIE): Use cutting-edge tools like 3D micro-printers, X-ray scattering equipment, and thermal analysis instruments to experiment with materials at the micro and nano scale.
Electrochemical Innovation Lab (EIL): Work on real devices like batteries and fuel cells, learning diagnostics and modelling skills used in energy industries.
Manufacturing Futures Lab (MFL): Engage with fabrication workshops and labs to design and test products that combine chemistry, biology, and automation.
Workshop & Prototyping Facilities: Build custom experimental rigs and equipment, turning theoretical designs into real prototypes.
Scenario Weeks & Team Projects: Collaborate in short, intensive design challenges that develop your teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills.
By combining lab work, digital modelling, and group projects, you won’t just learn chemical engineering—you’ll live it, preparing you for a smooth transition into professional roles after graduation.
Graduating from UCL with a BEng in Chemical Engineering opens doors to a wide range of exciting and well-paid careers. Most graduates move straight into roles where they can apply their engineering, problem-solving, and analytical skills, such as process engineers, management consultants, data analysts, or software developers. The degree equips you for work in sectors ranging from energy and pharmaceuticals to biotech and manufacturing:
Some of the ways UCL supports your career journey include:
Tailored Career Support: UCL’s Engineering Careers Service provides CV workshops, mock interviews, and networking events with employers to help you land your first role.
Strong Employment Outcomes: About 87.5% of graduates secure full-time employment or self-employment within six months, with a median starting salary of around £31,000.
Industry Connections: The program works closely with leading companies through its Industrial Advisory Board, ensuring your skills match what the industry really needs.
Professional Accreditation: Accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), this degree meets the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status when combined with further learning.
Global Opportunities: Graduates find work both in the UK and internationally, with roles in energy, consultancy, manufacturing, and more.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BEng, you could continue with the MEng in Chemical Engineering at UCL. This pathway builds on your knowledge with advanced modules and a research project, giving you a direct route to Chartered Engineer status and preparing you for highly specialised roles or further research.
A Level - AAA , Mathematics and Chemistry required. Biology, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Physics and Psychology preferredGCSE - English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.AP - 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. 5,5 in AP plus 1440 in SAT or 32 in ACT and award of the High School Graduation DiplomaIB - 38 points overall including 18 in three Higher Level subjects. CBSE - The Year 12/Standard 12 Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE or CBSE with five subjects at 90, 85, 85, 85, 85.IELTS - Overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each componentTOEFL - Overall score of 92 with 24/30 in reading and writing and 20/30 in speaking and listeningGPA - an overall CGPA of 3.3/4.0 (equivalent to a 2.1) is considered
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