BEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial Study

Studying Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is about much more than lectures—you’ll be learning by doing from the very start. From cutting-edge labs on campus to a full year working in industry, every stage of the course is designed to give you real engineering experience and the confidence to apply it in the workplace.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Specialist labs and facilities: Train with advanced equipment, including the Birmingham Centre for Cryogenic Energy Storage, where research meets real-world application.

• Hands-on projects: Take part in group design projects that mirror industry challenges, building teamwork and problem-solving skills.

• A year in industry: Spend your third year working with top employers such as BP, Unilever, GSK, or Jaguar Land Rover—earning a salary and gaining invaluable workplace experience.

• Ongoing support: While on placement, you’ll have regular visits from an academic mentor to help connect your professional work back to your degree.

• Industry insight on campus: Guest lectures from leading engineers and employers bring the workplace into the classroom, keeping your learning relevant and up to date.

By the time you graduate, you won’t just have a degree—you’ll also have real industry experience that makes you stand out to employers. Many of our students go straight into careers as process engineers, design engineers, production engineers, or even project managers, working in sectors ranging from energy and pharmaceuticals to food and consumer goods.

Here’s how the University of Birmingham helps set you up for success:

• Personalised career support: The Careers Network and School of Engineering Employability Network (SEEN) offer one-to-one guidance, CV and interview workshops, and exclusive employer events to connect you directly with recruiters.

• Strong graduate outcomes: Around 87% of Birmingham graduates are in professional roles or further study within 15 months, with average salaries for chemical engineering graduates around £34,000 just a year after finishing.

• Placement built into your degree: In your third year, you’ll spend 12 months in paid industrial experience with companies like Unilever, BP, AstraZeneca, or GSK, gaining the kind of hands-on skills employers really value.

• Professional recognition: This course is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), a step towards becoming a Chartered Engineer—a status that boosts your long-term career prospects.

• Global reputation: Birmingham is consistently a top choice for leading employers, meaning your degree carries real weight in the job market.