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If you want to be at the heart of solving big global challenges—like clean energy, sustainable manufacturing, or new medicines—then the Chemical Engineering BEng at Leeds is designed for you. This degree blends core engineering knowledge with exciting new areas such as digital design and advanced process innovation, giving you the skills to shape a more sustainable future.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your first year builds a rock-solid foundation in chemical engineering. You’ll study modules like Engineering Mathematics, Thermodynamics and Transport Phenomena Fundamentals, Mass and Energy Balances Fundamentals, and Process, Biochemical and Reaction Engineering Fundamentals. Alongside this, the Professional Engineering Skills module helps you develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills—so you’ll feel prepared from the very start.
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll take your knowledge further into areas like process design, modelling, safety, and control systems. This is where theory starts to connect more closely with practice, as you learn how to analyse and optimise real industrial processes. By the end of the year, you’ll be confident handling the more complex challenges chemical engineers face in the real world.
Year 3
Your final year is all about applying your expertise. You’ll explore advanced topics such as Process Optimisation and Control and then choose a pathway to specialise in—options include Digital Manufacturing & Processes, Energy, Materials, or Nuclear Engineering. The highlight is your design project, where you’ll work as part of a team to design a full-scale chemical plant, giving you a true taste of life as a professional chemical engineer.
Focus areas (in a string): chemical engineering fundamentals, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, process design, digital manufacturing, energy, materials, nuclear engineering.
Learning outcomes (in a string): graduates develop strong theoretical foundations, hands-on design and process experience, plus a chosen area of specialisation—equipping them to meet the demands of industry and research.
Professional alignment (accreditation): The course is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), meaning it meets the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Leeds ranks among the Top 100 universities worldwide (QS), and its engineering graduates are highly sought after by leading employers.
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At Leeds, chemical engineering is brought to life through hands-on learning. From day one, you’ll be in specialist labs and digital environments, applying what you study in lectures to real-world equipment and scenarios. It’s all about giving you the confidence to solve problems, work like an engineer, and build the kind of practical experience employers look for.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Process simulations & VR training – step inside a virtual chemical plant and learn to handle control systems just like professionals do in industry.
Specialist teaching labs – work directly with distillation columns, chemical reactors, heat exchangers, absorption columns, cooling towers, and more—so you understand how the theory operates at scale.
Digital tools & design software – get comfortable with the same software engineers use to design new processes, run experiments, and create digital models of chemical systems.
Research facilities – collaborate with academics in advanced engineering science labs and explore innovative techniques used in real research projects.
Renewable energy labs – experiment with solar, wind, and wave systems to see how chemical engineering contributes to the transition to green energy.
Study and support spaces – benefit from 24-hour computer clusters, modern group study areas, and the School’s employability hub, which links you to placements, internships, and career opportunities.
A degree in Chemical Engineering from Leeds sets you up for a career where your skills really matter. Our graduates step into roles like Process Engineer, Sustainability Consultant, R&D Scientist, or Energy Systems Developer, and they’re highly valued for their problem-solving mindset and hands-on experience. Whether you want to design new energy solutions, make manufacturing cleaner, or innovate in healthcare and materials, Leeds prepares you for it.
Here’s why Leeds graduates stand out:
Tailored career support – from day one you’ll have access to the Faculty Employability Team, who organise placements, internships, careers fairs, and employer networking events with companies such as P&G, Johnson Matthey, Unilever, AstraZeneca and EDF Energy.
Impressive outcomes – within 15 months of finishing, 100% of Chemical Engineering BEng graduates are in work or further study, with 95% in highly skilled roles. Salaries typically start around £30,000 and grow quickly, reaching about £40,500 within five years.
Industry-shaped learning – your degree includes access to the Virtual Engineering Environment and the Renewable Technologies lab, so you graduate with real, practical experience that mirrors what employers use.
Accredited for your future – the course is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), giving you a direct route towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status—a long-term professional asset.
A trusted reputation – Leeds is ranked among the Top 100 universities worldwide (QS), and our engineering graduates are consistently in demand across sectors.
A-level: AAA including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.IB - 16 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 sectionCBSE - 75-90%AP - one AP at grade 4 or 5 alongside your High School Diploma and two Honors classes. a minimum 3.0 GPA including two Honors classes at grades A+ to BAAA - High School Diploma 3.0 GPA with two Honors Classes at A, plus one AP at 5 OR High School Diploma with two Honors Classes at A, plus one IB HL course at 6 OR High School Diploma 3.0 GPA with two Honors Classes at A, plus one Dual Enrolment course at A.TOEFL - 80 overall and no less than 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 19 in writingProcess EngineerEnergy Systems EngineerResearch & Development ScientistEnvironmental EngineerProduct Design EngineerNuclear EngineerPetroleum Engineer
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University of Leeds
