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Chemical Engineering

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,A

AAA, including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry. Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade. Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking. Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and International Project Qualification (IPQ): We recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ or IPQ we may make an offer of AAB at A-Level with an A in Mathematics and an A in either Physics or Chemistry.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30

Pass 60 credits overall with 30 credits at Distinction (to include an appropriate amount of Mathematics, Calculus and Further Calculus and specific subjects e.g. Physics or Chemistry) and the remaining credits at Merit or above.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,D3

D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language at grade C (4) or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.

18 points at higher level to include 5 points in Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H1,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2

H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

D*DD

D*DD with Distinctions in relevant Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics units. Some Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics units may be optional on your BTEC but are required by the Faculty. Please contact us for further information. Please note - there may be different requirements for the new RQF BTEC’s, please contact Admissions.

Scottish Higher

A,A,B,B,B

AA at Advanced Higher level, including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry, and AABBB at Higher level.

UCAS Tariff

144-147

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

5 years | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

5 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

Subject

Chemical engineering

Chemical engineering addresses many of the world’s greatest challenges faced by society in areas such as energy, environment, health, water and food. The ability to solve problems, design and optimise processes means that chemical engineers are in high demand.

As we move to a more technologically advanced and sustainable future, chemical engineers will provide the innovation and leadership to decarbonise industry, manufacture products from sustainable feedstocks, advance healthcare by designing and manufacturing personalised medicines and digitally transform the chemicals industry.

Our team of expert academics will educate you in core chemical engineering subjects, along with chemical engineering practice and design. You’ll have the opportunity to learn advanced chemical engineering topics such as digital design, machine learning, intensified processes and product formulation – disciplines that are the future of chemical engineering.

Studying a chemical engineering degree at Leeds will provide you with the fundamental concepts and new skills used by the modern chemical engineer. You’ll develop the specialist knowledge, skills and experience you need to begin your career in this highly valued profession and make a real impact in the field of chemical sciences and engineering.

**Why study at Leeds:**
- This course is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

- Our globally-renowned research here at Leeds feeds into your course and shapes your learning with the latest thinking.

- Experience expert teaching delivered by a programme team who specialise in a wide range of chemical and process engineering disciplines and have extensive industry experience.

- Access excellent facilities, including our renewable technologies teaching lab and the virtual engineering environment that gives you experience in chemical plant operations.

- Tailor the course to suit your career ambitions and interests through our pathways in areas such as energy, nuclear and materials.

- Enhance your career prospects and give your CV that competitive edge before you graduate with our industrial work placement opportunities. Our close industry links have given previous students the chance to work at – and build professional relationships with – major organisations such as P&G, Johnson Matthey, Coca Cola, EDF Energy, Siemens, Unilever, AstraZeneca and Sellafield Ltd.

- Gain invaluable life experience and advance your personal development with our exciting study abroad programmes, spanning across universities worldwide.

- Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our ChemEng society where you can meet more of your peers and lecturers, whilst gaining guidance and invaluable insight from industry professionals at regular talks and networking events throughout your degree.

**Online taster course**
Chemical Engineering: Shaping a Sustainable Future is an online course, delivered via FutureLearn, which explores how chemical engineers are developing and designing chemical manufacturing processes to tackle global challenges such as climate change, food security, and effective healthcare. Register now: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/chemical-engineering-shaping-a-sustainable-future

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

School of Chemical and Process Engineering

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

76%
Chemical engineering

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Chemical, process and energy engineering

Teaching and learning

67%
Staff make the subject interesting
78%
Staff are good at explaining things
84%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
74%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

82%
Library resources
90%
IT resources
85%
Course specific equipment and facilities
59%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

68%
UK students
32%
International students
72%
Male students
28%
Female students
79%
2:1 or above
8%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
A

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Chemical, process and energy engineering

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£27,000
med
Average annual salary
98%
high
Employed or in further education
100%
high
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

40%
Engineering professionals
13%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
10%
Science, engineering and production technicians

Want to make good money from the word go? This is the degree for you! The UK has had a shortage of chemical engineers for a while now so starting salaries are very good. In fact, across the UK, only doctors and dentists bettered the average starting salary for chemical engineering graduates, with an average starting salary of around £28,000. Key sectors for chemical engineers last year included the petrochemicals, food, nuclear, pharmaceuticals, materials and consultancy industries. Their skills set also means that the finance industry likes graduates from these degrees, so there are options if you don't fancy engineering as a career. Most graduates take a longer course that leads to an MEng — which is what you need to take if you want to be a Chartered Engineer. Chemical engineers are also more likely than other engineers to take doctorates and go into research roles, so if you want to take an engineering subject but fancy a research job, this might be a good subject to take.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Chemical, process and energy engineering

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£27k

£27k

£31k

£31k

£36k

£36k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here