4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
If you’re excited by chemical engineering but also want the adventure of studying abroad, this course gives you the best of both worlds. You’ll master the fundamentals in Manchester, then spend a year at a partner university in France, Germany or Spain — building your technical skills, learning a new language, and gaining the kind of international experience employers love.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
You’ll start in Manchester with the essentials of chemical engineering, while beginning your language studies in French, German, or Spanish. Expect a mix of science, maths, and problem-solving modules alongside language tuition, all taught in the inspiring Home of Engineering and Materials.
Year 2
Your second year builds on that foundation with deeper engineering knowledge in areas like process modelling, energy, and transport phenomena, while continuing to develop your language skills. By the end of the year, you’ll feel confident and ready to take on your international placement.
Year 3 – Study in Europe
Here’s the highlight: a full academic year at a leading European university. You’ll live, study, and work in another language, experience a different academic culture, and broaden your perspective as both a student and future engineer.
Year 4
Back in Manchester, you’ll dive into advanced modules and take on a major design project in teams. Many projects focus on sustainability — past groups have designed processes to turn waste into valuable products, with Manchester students winning national IChemE prizes more times than any other UK university.
Focus areas: Core chemical engineering, European study and language, advanced process design, sustainability.
Learning outcomes: Strong technical foundation, real-world design experience, international awareness, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Professional alignment (accreditation): Fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), setting you on the path to Chartered Engineer 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 UK graduate employers (High Fliers Research 2023).
At Manchester, studying Chemical Engineering goes far beyond lectures and textbooks — you’ll be applying your knowledge to real-world problems from day one. The course is built to give you hands-on experience in specialist laboratories, exposure to industry-standard digital tools, and opportunities to work on live projects that mirror the challenges faced by professional engineers. You’ll also benefit from Manchester’s strong ties with industry, ensuring your learning is always relevant and career-focused.
Here’s how you’ll gain those practical skills in action:
State-of-the-art labs – access to the £16 million James Chadwick Building, home to cutting-edge pilot-scale facilities for process engineering, reaction engineering, and biochemical engineering.
Group design projects – work in teams to tackle open-ended problems, developing solutions that combine creativity with technical know-how.
Specialist software – training in Aspen Plus and MATLAB, widely used in industry for process design, modelling, and optimisation.
Industrial insight – regular guest lectures and case studies delivered by leading chemical, energy, and pharmaceutical companies.
Professional skills training – build expertise in project management, teamwork, and communication, all integrated into your coursework.
Library and digital resources – unlimited access to one of the UK’s largest academic libraries, with extensive engineering databases, journals, and digital learning tools.
Research culture – learn within a Russell Group university ranked 1st in the UK for chemical engineering research power (REF 2021), with opportunities to get involved in world-leading projects.
Finishing your MEng in Chemical Engineering at Manchester is a launchpad to some of the most exciting and rewarding careers out there. Many of our graduates go straight into roles like Process Engineer, Project Manager, Data Analyst, or Safety Consultant, using the technical and problem-solving skills they’ve built here to make a real impact.
Here’s how Manchester sets you up for success:
Career support that lasts – the University’s award-winning Careers Service is with you every step of the way, offering CV reviews, interview prep, networking events, and continued support for two years after you graduate.
Strong salary outcomes – Manchester chemical engineering graduates earn an average of £30,763 just 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes survey 2019/20).
Employer connections – you’ll be studying at one of the most employer-targeted universities in the UK, with industry links to Pfizer, Barclays, Unilever, Siemens, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and many more.
Accredited degree – the course is fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), putting you firmly on the path to Chartered Engineer status, which is highly respected worldwide.
Flexible career paths – whether you want to work in energy, sustainability, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or even branch into consultancy or finance, this degree gives you the versatility to choose.
Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, you’ll find plenty of options at Manchester. Some graduates progress to a Master’s in Advanced Chemical Engineering or Sustainable Industrial Systems, while others move into PhD research in areas such as renewable energy, catalysis, or environmental engineering. Either way, you’ll be building on Manchester’s world-leading research expertise.
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