Chemical Engineering
A comprehensive guide to studying Chemical Engineering at university.
- High Employability: Graduates are in demand across various industries (pharmaceuticals, energy, materials).
- Versatile Skill Set: Provides a strong foundation in problem-solving, mathematics, and chemistry, applicable in numerous fields.
- Super interesting as it spans several subjects!
- Challenging Curriculum: Intense workload with complex subjects requiring strong analytical and mathematical skills.
- Time-Consuming: Demands significant time commitment, especially lab work.
- Stressful Environment: High pressure and rigorous standards can create stress and burnout.
Chemical Engineering in the UK offers a blend of rigorous academics and practical experience. The curriculum covers core topics like thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and process design, with a strong focus on applying chemistry and mathematics to solve industrial problems.
Students benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories and industry-standard software, preparing them for real-world challenges. Work placements and industry collaborations provide invaluable hands-on experience, while guest lectures from leading professionals offer insights into the latest advancements.
The course typically spans four years, culminating in a Master’s degree (MEng). Renowned universities like Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Manchester are known for their strong programs. Graduates are highly sought after in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, energy, and environmental engineering, ensuring excellent career prospects.
The supportive learning environment and cutting-edge research opportunities make it a rewarding field of study.
Most Chemical Engineering graduates may end up in relatively well-paid engineering companies such as: GSK, Exxon Mobile, Shell, P&G, BP.
Alternatively, many students get accepted into Masters’ programmes, at destinations such as Imperial, London Business School, Cambridge and HEC Paris.
There are also a lot of people that go for jobs outside of Chemical Engineering. The most common destinations are investment Banking and consulting:
Some companies engineers may end up at are:
Banking: Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Citi, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley ,Lazard, Deutsche Bank, VCMT, Barclays
Consulting/Professional Services: Bain, Mckinsey, Deloitte, Monitor Deloitte, and PwC
Whilst the degree contents aren’t always relevant for the companies above, there is a general appreciation of engineers' ability to solve problems numerically and qualitatively. This is something Chemical Engineering trains you well in and is respected across various industries.