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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of LeedsIf you’re curious about how to tackle today’s big challenges—like creating clean energy, designing sustainable products, or shaping future healthcare—Leeds’ Chemical Engineering MEng/BEng gives you the tools to make it happen. This course blends solid engineering science with innovation in areas like digital manufacturing and sustainability, making it ideal for students who enjoy problem-solving, teamwork, and applying science in real, impactful ways.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your first year is all about building the fundamentals. Through modules like Thermodynamics and Transport Phenomena Fundamentals, Mass and Energy Balances Fundamentals, and Professional Engineering Skills, you’ll gain a strong grasp of the core principles that underpin chemical engineering. Alongside this, you’ll use digital learning tools—including virtual reality—to explore how these theories play out in real industrial settings.
Year 2
In your second year, the focus shifts toward applied learning. Modules such as Chemical Reaction Engineering, Separation Process Principles, and Process Safety and Environmental Engineering develop your ability to design and manage safe, efficient systems. A highlight is the Chemical Engineering Practice and Process Simulation module, where you’ll work with pilot-scale equipment and industry-standard software, putting theory into practice through collaborative design projects.
Year 3
By third year, you’ll have the chance to tailor your degree to your interests. You can specialise in areas like Digital Manufacturing and Processes, Energy Engineering, Materials Engineering, or Nuclear Engineering. You’ll also take on the Process Plant Design Project, working as part of a team to design a full chemical plant—an exciting, real-world challenge that brings together everything you’ve learned so far.
Year 4 (MEng only)
If you continue to the MEng, you’ll take on advanced modules and complete an independent research project with expert academic supervision. This gives you the opportunity to dive deeper into an area you’re passionate about, while gaining the research and leadership skills that set you apart in the workplace.
Focus areas (in a string): chemical engineering fundamentals, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, process design, process safety, sustainability, digital manufacturing, energy, materials, nuclear engineering.
Learning outcomes (in a string): graduates develop strong technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, practical lab and simulation experience, teamwork and project management abilities, and specialist expertise through chosen pathways.
Professional alignment (accreditation): fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), meeting the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Reputation (employability rankings): Leeds ranks Top 10 in the UK for Chemical Engineering (Guardian 2025), 7th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2026, and Top 100 worldwide in QS World Rankings 2025. Leeds graduates are also among the top 5 most targeted by UK employers (High Fliers, 2024).
Experiential Learning
At Leeds, you won’t just study chemical engineering—you’ll live it. From your very first year, you’ll be in labs, design studios, and even virtual chemical plants, learning how to apply theory in the same way professionals do. These hands-on experiences are designed to give you the confidence and technical skills employers are looking for, while keeping your learning exciting and engaging.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Process Engineering teaching labs – work with real equipment such as distillation columns, reactors, and heat exchangers to see how chemical processes operate on an industrial scale.
Virtual reality and simulations – step into a virtual chemical plant and practise process safety and design using industry-standard simulation tools.
Cutting-edge digital tools – use advanced software, from digital twins to design of experiments, to model, test, and improve processes.
Discovery labs – gradually take more ownership of your experiments as you move through the years, from guided lab work to designing, running, and analysing your own projects.
Team and individual projects – design process systems with your peers in group challenges, and in later years carry out your own independent research project with expert academic support.
Ethics in action – alongside technical work, you’ll explore real-world issues like sustainability, responsibility, and corporate social responsibility, taught in partnership with Leeds’ Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre.
A Leeds chemical engineering degree gives you the freedom to shape your future. Our graduates go into a huge range of careers, from Process Engineer and Sustainability Consultant to Energy Systems Developer or R&D Scientist. Thanks to the mix of technical expertise, problem-solving ability, and teamwork skills you’ll gain here, you’ll be ready to step into roles that make a real difference.
And here’s how Leeds supports you in that journey:
Dedicated careers support – our Faculty Employability Team helps you secure internships, year-long industrial placements, and graduate roles. They also run employer networking events, CV drop-ins, and careers fairs specifically for engineering students.
Excellent outcomes and salaries – 100% of BEng Chemical Engineering graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with average salaries of £31,000 (rising to around £34,500 after 3 years and £42,000 after 5 years).
Close ties with industry – you’ll learn using the same software and equipment that professionals rely on, and benefit from employer input into course design to ensure your skills are industry-ready.
Global recognition – the degree is fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), putting you on the pathway to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng)—a professional status respected worldwide.
A degree that stands out – Leeds is ranked Top 10 in the UK for Chemical Engineering (Guardian 2025), 7th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026), and Top 100 worldwide (QS 2025). Our graduates are also among the top 5 most targeted by UK employers (High Fliers 2024).
A-level: AAA including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.IB - 15 points at higher level to include 6 points in Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation or 5 points in Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and either Physics or Chemistry.IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each sectionProcess EngineerEnergy Systems EngineerResearch & Development ScientistSustainability ConsultantProduct Design EngineerNuclear EngineerMaterials Engineer
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