Ranking
6th
Complete University Guide 2026
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Course overview
Transform the future of energy, healthcare and a wide range of global products with our BEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial Study at Birmingham. Strengthen your career prospects with a year working in industry and get ready to help engineer a more sustainable world.
From advanced heat and mass transfer to reactors, thermodynamics and low-carbon energy processing, join us to explore the world of chemical, product and energy engineering. Develop technical, analytical and professional skills with real workplace experience so you’re ready for roles in various industries including healthcare, energy and finance.
Accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
IChemE accreditation provides benchmarking of academic programmes against high, internationally recognised standards. This is increasingly important as the globalisation of engineering products and services demands greater confidence by employers in the skills and professionalism of the engineers they recruit.
Why Study Chemical Engineering at Birmingham?
Creative and pioneering thinking are encouraged daily on this course, meaning I'm constantly problem solving and having to think outside of the box which I love. The Department prepares us for life in industry in a number of ways, one being offering students summer internships, which I was fortunate enough to do during the summer after my second year. This opportunity gave me the chance to work both independently and in a group, as well as improve my interpersonal and soft skills, like networking and communication.
Course structure
Join our four year full time BEng programme with industrial study, comprising of taught and optional modules. Each module will be assessed in a number of ways, including exams, written assignments and laboratory and project reports.
Year 1
Year 1
In your first year you are introduced to the fundamentals of chemical and energy engineering and the chance to learn about other engineering disciplines.
You will begin to develop the transferable skills that will carry you through your course, and beyond, into your life as a professional engineer. All modules compulsory.
Year 2
Year 2
Themes begun in your first year are developed to the standard you need as a professional engineer.
You'll study advanced heat and mass transfer, reactors and catalysis and unit operations. Emphasis is placed on teamwork and you will utilise our research laboratories.
Year 3
Year 3
Year in industry
You will 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, 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.
Year 4
Year 4
Your fourth year develops the fundamentals of chemical engineering to graduate level. You will undertake an industry relevant design project which enables you to put into practice all of the skills you have gained.
Course highlights
- 6th
in the UK for Chemical Engineering
Complete University Guide 2026
- 8th
in the UK for Chemical Engineering
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Birmingham is ranked 76th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 11th amongst UK universities.
Discover the fundaments of chemical and energy engineering. Learn how to design processes to convert raw materials into products and study topics such as food engineering and healthcare technologies. You’ll explore the grand challenges for sustainability faced by the manufacturing, transport and energy industries. Our teaching relates directly to our own cutting-edge research so you’re at the forefront of current innovations.
Your year working in industry will give you a step up into a graduate role, helping to build your confidence and professional experience. Industry experts deliver guest lectures and you’ll take part in industry related projects, building teamworking experience.
Your studies will be closely aligned to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals so you’re ready for roles with global importance.
- Undertake an industry relevant project to design a particular chemical process and apply your learning
- Benefit from our unique facilities. We are the first School in the UK to have a research facility for energy storage using cryogenic liquids, comprising new laboratories, state-of-the-art equipment, and a major demonstration plant - The Birmingham Centre for Cryogenic Energy Storage.
- Undertake an industry relevant project to design a particular chemical process and apply your learning
- Join a welcoming, inclusive and collaborative academic community
- Thrive individually and collectively with an emphasis on team-based project work
- Benefit from close industry ties, with expert guest lectures, potential for placements and networking opportunities
- You will be taught by academic staff, who are global leaders in their field
Talk to our students
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Course delivery
Your studies will be a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and project work, while your final year sees you working closely with industry figures, as you develop your design project.
Lecture
Tutorial
Laboratory
Projects
Seminar
- Learn about cutting-edge developments in your chosen areas of interest, with lectures delivered by world-leaders in their fields
- Take part in tutorials that promote independent problem-solving and enquiry-based learning
- Develop a spectrum of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, time management, and communication through project work
- Gain valuable experience by engaging in practical assignments that simulate real-world tasks and cultivate job-ready skills
Assessment
Your learning with us is diverse, and the way you'll be assessed is equally so. Each module will be assessed in a number of ways, such as via exams, written assignments and laboratory and project reports. The balance between exams and coursework varies across each module. As you move towards employment or further study, you'll find your final year has a strong emphasis on project work.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Each year contains 120 credits of taught material, delivered in modules that are typically worth 10 or 20 credits. Years 1 and 2 are exclusively compulsory modules as we ensure that our teaching complies with IChemE accreditation. In your final year you will complete an industry linked design project.
Year 1
Year 1
2026/27
Year 2
Year 2
2027/28
Year 3
Year 3
2028/29
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering Industrial Study | 120 |
Year 4
Year 4
2029/30
Core modules
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Design Project | 40 |
| Advanced Reactors and Thermodynamics | 20 |
| Multiphase Systems | 20 |
Optional modules
Select 40 credits. Examples of optional modules below:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Efficient Use of Energy | 10 |
| Energy Economics | 10 |
| Engineering of Food | 10 |
| Introduction to Healthcare Technologies | 10 |
| Processing for Formulation | 10 |
| Petrochemical Engineering | 10 |
| Plant Optimisation | 10 |
Teaching staff
Professor Eddie Pelan
Admissions Tutor
Staff profile for Professor Eddie Pelan, Professor of Chemical Engineering, at the University of Birmingham.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
AAA to include A-level Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics.
- IB
6,6,6 at Higher Level including Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics at Higher Level grade 6 with a minimum of 32 points overall. We will consider Standard Level Mathematics grade 7.
- BTEC
only considered when combined with other qualifications.
Number of A-levels required: 3.
Required subjects and grades: A level Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics.
General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Maths A Levels are not accepted.
Foundation Year
Would you like to study this course but lack the entry qualifications? If you are not studying A-level Mathematics, you can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses. Learn more:
- UK students (not eligible if studying A-level Mathematics)
- international students
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
- Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Am I likely to receive an offer for 2026?
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Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
ABB to include A in Maths and either Chemistry or Physics.
- Contextual Offer
AAB to include A in Maths and A in either Chemistry or Physics.
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
- £9,535*
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2026/27
*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Apply
The UCAS code for this course is HV10
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
- 14 January 2026
Application deadline for September 2026 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
Career opportunities
Use your skills as a chemical engineer to open career opportunities in formulation engineering, healthcare or energy - or utilise your transferable skillset to move into a wide variety of industries. Our BEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial Study will help you develop technical and transferable skills prized by employers and in postgraduate education.
Our Chemical Engineering graduates are making an impact across a wide range of sectors such as Chemical, Management Consultancy, Education Management, Oil and Energy, and Financial Services. They have gone on to work for leading employers such as Bahrain Petroleum Company, Technip Energies, Unilever and Worley Limited.
Prepare to lead future change in a variety of sectors
You'll learn core technical and transferrable skills to set you up for success in roles inside and outside of chemical engineering industries.
I was extremely lucky to get an industrial placement at Unilever, one of the world's largest FMCG companies. At the core of the company is the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, which is what I really wanted to work on when I joined the company. I was working in a detergent factory in Port Sunlight. It was a great experience knowing that products from the lines I was working on, like Persil, Cif and Domestos, were being used by people every day. I did a lot of work towards making the factory more sustainable, by using less water and I also got involved in new factory technology. My work got noticed by some very high-up people in the company, so much so that they offered me a job!
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
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Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Flexible programmes to suit you
Not sure what you want to study?
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
Student stories
Find new perspectives. Hear first-hand about life at Birmingham from our students, past and present.