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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of ManchesterIf you want to graduate with both a world-class degree and real workplace experience, this MEng is designed for you. At Manchester, you’ll gain all the core knowledge of chemical engineering and spend a whole year in industry, earning a salary and building professional skills that will set you apart when you enter the job market.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll get to grips with the foundations of chemical engineering. You’ll study Engineering Mathematics 1, Engineering Chemistry, and Transport Phenomena 1, alongside hands-on Laboratory Projects in Manchester’s brand-new Home of Engineering and Materials. This year gives you the grounding you need to think and problem-solve like a real engineer.
Year 2
Second year builds on this with more advanced modules such as Engineering Mathematics 2, Chemical Engineering Design 2, and Process Design and Simulation. You’ll also take part in design projects and lab work, learning how to turn theory into practical solutions and developing your teamwork skills along the way.
Year 3 (Industrial Placement)
This is where things really come to life. You’ll spend 9–12 months working full-time with a leading employer such as Unilever, GSK, Rolls-Royce, AstraZeneca, or Tata Steel. During your placement, you’ll complete a project dissertation, keep a logbook of your work, and present your findings, all with support from both the university and your employer. You’ll also continue your learning with two distance-learning modules: Catalytic Reaction Engineering and Advanced Engineering Separations.
Year 4
Back on campus, your final year gives you the chance to bring everything together. You’ll take advanced modules, complete team projects, and work on a dissertation that builds on both your industrial experience and your academic learning. It’s a year designed to polish your skills and prepare you for the transition into professional engineering.
Focus areas: Core chemical engineering, applied industrial experience, advanced process design and simulation.
Learning outcomes: You’ll graduate with strong technical skills, real-world industrial experience, problem-solving ability, and the confidence to lead projects or research in a professional setting.
Professional alignment (accreditation): The course is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), putting you on the direct path toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Reputation (employability rankings): Manchester is ranked 4th in the UK and 7th in Europe for Chemical Engineering (QS World Rankings 2023), and is one of the most targeted universities by top graduate employers (High Fliers 2023).
At Manchester, you won’t just sit in lectures — you’ll be doing chemical engineering from day one. You’ll learn in the brand-new Home of Engineering and Materials and work with the UK’s largest university pilot-scale lab, giving you the kind of practical experience employers are looking for. The highlight is your third year: a full paid placement in industry, where you’ll get to apply everything you’ve learned while earning a salary and building your CV.
Here’s what makes the experience so unique:
Hands-on labs and pilot plant – Train in our £12m James Chadwick Building and use Europe’s largest pilot-scale lab, designed to feel like the real workplace.
Year in industry – Spend 9–12 months with companies like Unilever, GSK, Rolls-Royce, AstraZeneca, or Tata Steel, taking on real engineering responsibilities.
Projects with purpose – Work on design projects with a strong sustainability focus; Manchester students have won more IChemE Macnab-Lacey Prizes than any other university.
Professional portfolio – During your placement you’ll keep a logbook, write a dissertation, and present your work, all supported by your industrial supervisor and university tutor.
Blended learning support – Before labs you’ll get access to video tutorials, podcasts, and online resources so you feel confident walking in.
Global challenges – Get involved in projects like the Ethical Grand Challenges and the University Living Lab, tackling real issues in energy, climate, and sustainability.
What really sets this degree apart is that you graduate with more than just knowledge — you leave with proven industry experience. That’s why Manchester Chemical Engineering graduates are in such high demand. Many step straight into roles like Process Engineer, Low-Carbon Technologies Engineer, Project Manager, or Data Analyst, with the confidence of already having worked in the sector.
Here’s how Manchester helps you get there:
Dedicated Careers Service – You’ll get access to career fairs, one-to-one guidance, interview coaching, and employer networking events, plus support continues for two years after you graduate.
Strong salary outcomes – On average, Manchester chemical engineering graduates earn £30,763 within just fifteen months of finishing their degree (Graduate Outcomes survey 2019/20).
Top industry links – With partnerships and placements at companies such as Unilever, GSK, Pfizer, Siemens, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Barclays, and Tesco, you’ll be learning in one of the UK’s most employer-targeted universities.
Future-proof accreditation – The course is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), which puts you directly on the path toward becoming a Chartered Engineer — a status that opens doors worldwide.
Diverse graduate pathways – Alumni go on to roles in process design, safety and risk management, site operations, and project leadership, while others branch into consultancy, finance, or IT, proving just how versatile this degree is.
Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to continue your studies, Manchester has plenty of options. Many graduates stay on for a Master’s in Advanced Chemical Engineering or Sustainable Industrial Systems, while others choose to pursue a PhD in areas like renewable energy, environmental process design, or advanced materials.
In CBSE, Obtain an overall average of at least 90% including 90, 85 in Mathematics (Applied Maths is not accepted) and one from Physics or ChemistryIn British Curriculum, A*AA including Mathematics and either Chemistry or Physics.37 points overall with 7,6,6 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics.IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-test below 6.5TOEFL iBT 90 with no sub-test below 22Equivalent to GCSE: SAT I: 1290+ ACT: 27+ High School Diploma: GPA 3.0+ with Grade 12 courses at GCSE equivalency (e.g., A in Grade 12 Maths = GCSE 7 in Maths). OR Equivalent to 3 A-Levels: High School Diploma (GPA 3.0+) plus Three AP at 555. Grade C/4 in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.Process EngineerProject EngineerOperations ManagerResearch and Development ScientistEnvironmental ConsultantSafety EngineerData Analyst 
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