BEng/MEng Chemical Engineering

Demand is growing for chemical engineers that can design sustainable technologies and processes. Gain sought-after skills in sustainable chemical engineering and work towards improving our environment.

Study either a three-year BEng degree or a four-year MEng degree. You can also choose to take an additional Industrial Placement Year as part of your degree.

For any questions about the Chemical Engineering degree programmes, please email enquiry@southampton.ac.uk.

• Focus on sustainability
  Draw on our expertise in low-carbon technology, fine chemicals, green energy and water/wastewater engineering.
• Learn from leading academics in both engineering and chemistry
  By studying across both schools you’ll be able to understand the chemistry behind a particular problem, and have the practical ability to engineer and design innovative and sustainable solutions.
• Take part in a group design project
  Design is embedded throughout the degree. In your third year you’ll take part in a challenging group design project, bringing together all of your theoretical knowledge and practical skills to create a design solution – whether that’s a simulation, a report to meet a brief or even building part of a chemical engineering plant.
• Use amazing facilities
  Work in our brand new chemistry laboratories and over 10,000m² of specialist engineering workshops, laboratories and testing facilities. We’re also building chemical engineering laboratories, a dedicated chemical engineering computer suite and a virtual control room, where you’ll learn to run a simulation of a real chemical plant, using the same simulations used by industry to train their staff.
• Enjoy a rewarding career
  Chemical engineering is one of the most stable and lucrative employment sectors in the UK.

Your course

Year 1: Study the principles of chemical engineering, as well as modules in engineering and chemistry covering topics such as design, mechanics, and thermofludics.

Year 2: Deepen your knowledge of chemical engineering by studying core topics including process control, reaction engineering, and heat and mass transfer.

Year 3: Study advanced chemical engineering modules such as process intensification and integration and complete your group design project.

Year 4 (MEng): Carry out an individual research project, learn about the commercialisation of chemistry and choose optional modules in areas such as bioenergy,wastewater process engineering and food technology.

Industrial Placement Year

You can complete a paid industrial placement year as part of the BEng or the MEng; the placement adds an extra year to your studies. Your placement could be in an industrial sector such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, food or consumer goods. You’ll develop knowledge and skills to prepare you for the workplace, and remain enrolled as a student during the year, with access to all the University’s support services.

Your career

Chemical engineering is one of the most stable and lucrative employment sectors in the UK. The skills you develop in sustainable chemical engineering will be particularly sought after.

Career skills are embedded at every stage of your course, and chemical engineering graduates typically go on to work in professions such as:

• Energy consultant
• Biochemical engineer
• Environmental engineer
• Production manager
• Quality assurance specialist

Industries will vary, but may include:

• Renewable energies
• Water and waste management
• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceuticals
• Mining, oil and gas
• Chemical and processing industries

Contact

You can find out more information about the course by contacting our Enquiries team.

*Complete University Guide, 2021

** 94 per cent of our chemistry research is judged as world-leading or internationally excellent, The latest Research Excellence Framework, 2014

**In the latest National Student Survey (2020) 95% of chemistry students were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of their course