MEng Hons Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

4 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Surrey

Program Overview

The Chemical & Petroleum Engineering degree at Surrey equips you with the knowledge and skills to tackle some of today’s biggest industrial and energy challenges. You’ll learn how to design and optimise chemical processes, work with petroleum systems, and develop practical, hands-on experience — all while focusing on safety, efficiency, and sustainability. This degree is ideal for students who want a career in energy, chemicals, or any field where complex engineering processes need smart solutions.

Curriculum Structure

Years 1–2: You’ll start with the fundamentals — maths, chemistry, physics, and core engineering principles — alongside modules like Petroleum Fundamentals & Chemistry. Lab sessions and practical exercises give you real-world experience from day one.
Years 2–3: You’ll dive deeper into chemical engineering topics such as Thermodynamics, Computational Methods, and Engineering Systems & Management. You’ll also start modelling real processes and working on team-based problems to apply what you’ve learned.
Final Years: The focus shifts to advanced applications. You’ll study Advanced Chemical & Petrochemical Reaction Engineering, sustainability, and industrial-scale design. Your capstone Design Project challenges you to integrate your knowledge, plan a full chemical/petroleum process, and consider efficiency, cost, and safety — just like in industry.

Focus Areas

Chemical process design and optimisation
Petroleum technology and petrochemicals
Sustainability in energy and industrial systems
Mathematical modelling and simulation
Project management and engineering economics

Learning Outcomes

By graduation, you’ll be able to:

Analyse and design complex chemical and petroleum processes
Conduct experiments and interpret data
Use advanced software for process simulation
Manage projects balancing cost, safety, and sustainability
Apply engineering principles to real-world industrial problems

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is fully accredited by IChemE, which meets the academic requirements for Chartered Chemical Engineer status — a key step for a professional engineering career.

Reputation (Employability & Facilities)

Surrey is ranked 3rd in the UK for petroleum engineering (QS World Rankings by Subject).
Students benefit from a £1.7 million pilot plant and state-of-the-art labs.
96% of graduates go on to employment or further study.
Strong connections with industry give opportunities for placements, projects, and networking with companies like Shell, BP, GSK, and more.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you study Chemical & Petroleum Engineering at Surrey, you won’t just learn how processes should work — you’ll actually run them yourself. From your first years onward, you’re in labs, on equipment, working in teams, and getting comfortable with the tools engineers use every day. Surrey designs this degree so you build confidence step by step, until operating real industrial-scale systems feels natural.

Here’s what that hands-on experience really looks like:

A real pilot plant — not a demonstration, a working process plant
You’ll spend time inside Surrey’s £1.7 million Fluor pilot plant, where you can actually run reactions, filter materials, manage heat exchange, handle water treatment, and even work with CO₂ capture systems. It’s the closest you can get to an industrial plant while still in university.
Control room training — just like industry
The pilot plant has a proper control room with live data and monitoring systems. This is where you learn how chemical engineers really make decisions under pressure.
Specialist laboratories for deep exploration
You’ll work across a range of labs — analytical chemistry, particle engineering, water and waste treatment, sonochemistry, and more. These spaces let you test, measure, and experiment with real materials and industrial processes.
Advanced analytical instruments at your fingertips
From NMR and XRD to HPLC, GC-MS, and FTIR, you’ll get used to working with serious equipment. It’s a huge advantage when you apply for lab-based or R&D roles.
Projects that feel like real engineering work
Throughout the course you’ll be solving process challenges, working in teams, designing systems, and presenting your solutions — just like you would in a professional engineering environment.
Placement opportunities to connect study with industry
Surrey is known for placements, and this programme gives you the option to spend a year in industry. Many students say this is where everything “clicks” — and it often leads to job offers.
A strong focus on sustainable and future energy
With the university’s growing Energy Hub, you’ll be exposed to research and teaching linked to green hydrogen, batteries, and sustainable power — perfect if you want to be part of the energy transition.
Supportive teaching environment
The department brings chemistry and engineering together, so you get broad expertise and plenty of support as you develop both your technical and professional skills.

At Surrey, the big goal is simple: by the time you graduate, you should feel completely at home in a lab, confident operating real equipment, and ready to step into industry with zero hesitation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Surrey’s Chemical & Petroleum Engineering degree sets you up for a career where your skills are in high demand — from energy and petrochemicals to sustainable manufacturing. Many graduates find themselves moving straight into technical roles, while others use the degree as a springboard into management or research.

University Support for Employment:
- Surrey’s Professional Training placements give you real-world experience and often lead to job offers.
- The Careers & Employability Service offers CV and interview support, industry networking events, and one-on-one career advice.
- Academic staff and industrial mentors guide you on career options during your degree.
Employment & Earnings:
- About 96% of graduates are employed or in further study soon after graduation.
- Early-career salaries average £31,000+, with potential to grow significantly as you gain experience.
- IChemE accreditation helps accelerate your path to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, which opens senior-level roles and higher salaries.
Industry Links:
- Surrey has strong relationships with major energy and chemical companies, meaning networking, guest lectures, and placement opportunities with employers like BP, Shell, and ExxonMobil.
- You gain exposure to both traditional and emerging industries, including sustainable and renewable energy projects.
Long-Term Value:
- IChemE-accredited degree recognized internationally.
- Strong foundation for leadership, management, and specialised technical roles.
- Graduate skills are highly transferable, making you attractive to employers across energy, chemicals, and advanced manufacturing.
Typical Roles Graduates Take On:
1. Process Engineer – designing, running, and optimising chemical processes
2. Petroleum Engineer – working in upstream or downstream oil & gas operations
3. Project / Design Engineer – leading projects in chemical plants or refineries
4. Process Systems Engineer – improving efficiency and sustainability of industrial systems

Further Academic Progression:

Progress to an MEng or MSc in specialised areas of chemical or petroleum engineering.
Pursue a PhD if you want to focus on research in areas like process optimisation, sustainable energy, or petrochemical innovation.
Use your degree plus industry experience to achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, unlocking senior technical and leadership positions in the future.