This five-year course has a student satisfaction rating of 89%. It has been designed to be relevant to the needs of modern industry and to produce graduates who have the personal and intellectual qualities to be successful in their chosen careers. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to play leading roles in a professional capacity in both industry and academia, and thus able to deal with issues at the forefront of the discipline. Once fully qualified you will:
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have a systematic and diverse knowledge of modern Chemical Engineering, which embeds biochemical engineering, sustainable processing and environmental impact
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work effectively as a Chemical Engineer in a professional capacity
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understand novel developments and problems at the forefront of the discipline
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evaluate current research critically, and be original in the application of your knowledge
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be self-motivated and work autonomously
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apply your technical knowledge and intellect to solve Chemical Engineering problems
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make sound engineering judgements in the absence of complete information
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use transferable skills to communicate effectively and work as part of a team
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take responsibility for your continuing personal and professional development
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have the fundamental grounding required to take you to the next part of your journey to becoming a professional chemical engineer.
This four-year course plus a year in industry takes your understanding to the next level; through the research project and masters level modules you will gain an understanding of engineering science driving the subject forward, building on your fundamental grounding attained in the first three years
Course structure
The course offers a modular programme of study, which normally leads to the award of Master of Engineering (MEng) with industrial study in five years. A breakdown of modules and credits, can be seen in the curriculum summary (pdf) for this course.
First year
Here you are introduced to the fundamentals of chemical and energy engineering and the chance to learn about other engineering disciplines. Here, also, you will begin to develop the transferable skills that will carry you through your course, and beyond, into your life as a professional engineer. One major, optional, opportunity to hone these skills and put many of them into practice, is attendance on our residential course at the University’s own outward bound centre in the Lake District. IT skills will be taught in our purpose-built computing facility.
Second year
Themes begun in the first year are developed to the standard you need as a professional engineer. You study advanced heat and mass transfer, reactors and catalysis, unit operations and sustainability. Emphasis is placed on teamwork and the use of our research laboratories is exploited.
Third year
The third year develops the chemical engineering fundamentals further, to graduate level. All students undertake an industry-linked design project which enables them to put into practice all of the skills they have gained.
Fourth year
In the fourth year you can develop subjects taken in previous years to greater depth. You also undertake an energy research project through which you develop advanced laboratory and scholarship skills. Further study into energy policy and power transmission can be chosen.
Year in Industry
You have the option to spend a year in industry at the end of your second year. We have strong links with a large number of key companies to assist you, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, BP, EDF, ConocoPhilips, PepsiCo, Jaguar/Land Rover, ExxonMobil, Cadbury, AstraZeneca, Johnson Matthey and GlaxoSmithKline as well as with smaller to medium enterprises. Typically you will have to pass the interview process run by the company with which you are seeking a placement. The industrial placement gives you experience of working in the chemical engineering field which will enhance your CV and allow you to acquire further knowledge and employability skills. Our industrial liaison tutor will be able to advise you about the application procedures.
Generic skills-training, focusing on transferable skills and employability, is embedded throughout the course from the outset, and will ensure that you are equipped with the ICT, presentation, team-working and problem solving skills which will enhance your employability on graduation.
BEng or MEng? The first two years of the MEng course are identical to our Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) programme, which means that you can delay your final choice of degree until the end of your second year. Entry onto the MEng programme is dependent upon successful completion of your second year and you must provide excellent results (i.e. be on target for a minimum of a high 2ii).
Related links
At Birmingham, we provide diverse, yet balanced, courses, enabling our graduates to gain employment in a wide range of industries. Teaching is provided by lecturers who are global experts in their field, with multi-million pound investment providing leading-edge teaching facilities and laboratories.
We produce graduates who can function in today's fast-changing marketplace, and your career prospects will be excellent. Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment.
Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends.
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAA
Required subjects and grades: A level Mathematics (note: statistics modules are not preferred) and Chemistry. Study of mechanics is required. If Statistics is offered, applicants should also offer AS level Physics.
General Studies: not accepted
Additional information:
International students:
International Baccalaureate Diploma: >35 points including Mathematics and Chemistry at HL grade 6. We will consider SL Mathematics grade 7.
Standard English language requirements apply.
Learn more about international entry requirements.
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
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