Chemical Engineering (MEng)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is a 4-year, full-time course.

The first 2 years follow the same learning as our 3 year BEng degree, meaning that you’ll learn the fundamentals of chemical engineering. As you progress through the course, you'll learn to apply these fundamentals to real-world problems. 

Design and computational methods are a key focus of the course throughout.

In your third year you’ll have the option to specialise in your key areas of interest from a range of optional modules. You’ll also complete a group design project.

The final MEng year emphasises the commercial application of your learning. You’ll complete an extended individual research project.

You have the option to take this degree with an extra year in employment. 

Year 1 overview

You’ll develop your understanding of the core underlying principles of chemical engineering. You'll explore topics like:

• design and computing
• thermofluids
• chemical principles
• maths for engineering

Year 2 overview

You’ll learn to apply your knowledge and skills within a practical context and analyse your results using computational methods. You'll study topics like:

• practical operations and chemical analysis
• fluids and solids
• process control, safety and integration

Year 3 overview

You’ll deepen your understanding of the relationship between design, manufacturing and material properties.

Topics include:

• advanced reaction engineering (bioreactors and catalysis)
• engineering management and law
• process integration and intensification

Design project

You'll complete a group design project that will bring together all of your theoretical knowledge and practical skills to create a design solution. This may be a simulation, a report to meet a brief, or even building part of a chemical engineering plant. Your project may be chosen to take part in our annual engineering design show.

Follow your interests

In the third year you’ll be able to specialise with optional modules ranging from chemical engineering for sustainable energy, to chemical engineering in the pharmaceutical sector.

Year 4 overview

In your final year you’ll cover:

• commercialising chemistry
• safety management in chemical plants

You’ll complete your extended individual research project, supported by your tutor and our extensive research community.

Optional year in industry

You have the option to take this degree as a 5-year degree with a year in industry during your third year.

We'll help you find a paid placement in the UK for this year. This could be in an industry such as energy systems, pharmaceutical, food or emerging technologies. You’ll develop knowledge and skills to prepare you for the workplace, whilst you remain enrolled as a student, with access to all the University’s support services.

If you wish to apply for this degree with a year in industry you will need to use the UCAS code H803

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course leader

Mohamed Hassan Sayed is the course leader.

Chemical engineering is a career that can make a real difference in the world, but it’s also well-rewarded. Average salaries for experienced chartered chemical engineers reach £79,000 in the UK (Institution of Chemical Engineers).

By completing this degree you will be on the fastest route to chartered engineer status, as this qualification fully meets the educational requirements for being a chartered engineer (pending accreditation).

Chemical engineers are in demand in many different sectors, including medicine, food and beverages, renewable fuels and resource and waste management. This course’s focus on practical experience and commercialisation will give you a head start in the jobs market.

If you take the optional year in employment you’ll gain additional work skills and useful contacts.

As a chemical engineering graduate you’ll be qualified to take up roles as:

• process engineer
• energy consultant
• thermo-fluid engineer
• quality assurance specialist
• environmental engineer
• biochemical engineer
• food processing expert
• pharmaceutical engineer 

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

You have the option to take this degree as a 5-year degree with a year in industry during your third year.

We'll help you find a paid placement in the UK for this year. This could be in an industry such as energy systems, pharmaceutical, food or emerging technologies. You’ll develop knowledge and skills to prepare you for the workplace, whilst you remain enrolled as a student, with access to all the University’s support services.

If you wish to apply for this degree with a year in industry you will need to use the UCAS code H803

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,000.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: H801
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2023 entry

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000