Chemical Engineering is a very sought-after degree in the current world. Chemical engineering in the UK forms the basis of all that the world functions on. Everything from the food and water that we consume to the energy we use is obtained from work carried out by chemical engineers. Chemical engineering is a very technical subject that uses engineering principles and chemical lab processes to provide the world with energy and other resources for commercial purposes. 

The United Kingdom is one of the best destinations for international students to study chemical engineering. The UK has some of the best institutions globally for engineering, with some renowned for their expertise in the field. Studying chemical engineering in the United Kingdom could offer unreal opportunities in the field of chemical engineering. 

Why study Chemical Engineering in the UK? 

Here are five reasons to study Chemical Engineering:

There are many different reasons to study Chemical Engineering. Discover five of the best reasons to explore this fascinating subject and see if it’s right for you.
 

1. Modern and applicable
 

Of all the scientific subjects on offer at UK universities today, few have more modern applications than Chemical Engineering. The study of nanotechnologies and bioengineering will put you in the know when it comes to areas of research that are seen as some of the most promising in the scientific community.

2. Great graduate prospects
 

Chemical Engineering is one of the most employable subjects in the world. The degree opens up opportunities to not only work in the lab but alternatively out in the field or in scientific management. Graduates can do anything from groundbreaking scientific research to working as a field engineer or having a senior management position. 

3. Multi-use degree
 

A degree in this subject area doesn’t limit you to a job as a chemical engineer. You can easily pursue a job in analytical chemistry or engineering in manufacturing or mining, as well as in managerial or production areas. Even those who choose not to accept jobs directly related to chemical engineering are highly employable due to their problem-solving, analytical and management skills.

4. Hands-on experiences
 

Chemical Engineering degree courses often include year-long industry placements. You’ll have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned at university in the workplace, where you’ll further develop your skills and build a professional network.

5. Internationally applicable
 

A degree in this subject area means you gain the skills and knowledge that can be applied in any country or culture around the world, so your future will not be limited to jobs near home.

What factors to consider when choosing a university in the UK?

What is the decision-making process in choosing a university, and how is it far more than deciding which subject to study? Here are some top tips to consider:

The months ahead will unite around 400,000 students from the 2023 cohort attending university ‘Open Days’ to select their top choices from thousands of full-time undergraduate degree courses offered at almost 300 UK institutions. 

Even when an applicant is confident about the subject they want to study, there are still plenty of other factors to consider when choosing a university. Other factors to consider include which university and course are best, and the type of university experience you want – all of which will significantly impact the direction in which life takes you. Many international students are open to exploring different paths, which throws even more options into the mix. UK universities were traditionally the top choice for students worldwide, but school leavers are now exploring options further afield across the US and Europe.

The attraction of studying at a UK university

UK universities remain a popular choice offering a high-quality academic and vocational, undergraduate experience. This option offers a familiar path for students who have studied a UK curriculum yet also has a long history of welcoming international students with other qualifications. In addition, each university offers excellent support systems for welfare and practical support for students from abroad.

When it comes to choosing a university, there is no right or wrong choice!

A key advantage of studying in the UK is the variety of subjects on offer and the subject-specific degrees. With a strong teaching history in traditional subjects, the UK also offers globally recognised courses for vocational subjects like medicine, veterinary science and engineering, as well as more niche courses such as Business Management, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship at City University. Students can specialise from an early stage or combine subjects to form a joint degree.

Deadlines and degree lengths

Many students are still exploring their university options before making their applications via the UK University Central Admissions System, known as UCAS, ahead of the January 26th 2023 deadline. In addition, for those considering medicine, veterinary science and medicine, Oxford and Cambridge universities have already missed the application cycle for this year which closed on October 15th.

Although degrees in England and Wales are three years and four in Scotland, it’s worth considering a study abroad or a work placement as the opportunity to gain relevant professional qualifications and fast-track a career post-graduation. Meanwhile, in the US, degrees offer more academic flexibility and can last four years, and some even extend to six.

Other things to consider when deciding on further education

1. Make a shortlist of universities and visit them if you can, attending their open days and sample lectures. Then, have a walk around campus and ask yourself, “could I see myself here? Would it feel like a second home?”
   
    
2. Repeat visits will also improve the chance of getting a realistic view. It’s important to realise that your chosen city could be your home after your degree.
   
    
3. Consider whether you want a campus university, where everything is located on one site, providing a fully immersive experience. Or, perhaps you would fare better where the university is in another part of the town or city, where the accommodation, teaching blocks and university facilities mingle with everyday life.
4. Accommodation choices are also an important factor, whether living on campus in halls or renting accommodation in the city. You also need to weigh up the pros and cons of being in catered or self-catered halls in the UK and decide which will work best for you.
   
    
5. UK universities offer top coaching and career opportunities for students with big sporting ambitions, not to mention scholarships. However, with UK applications, there are several different timelines to consider. ‘Early decision’ (ED) applications are due in November, with decisions announced in December.
   
    
6. You can study most subjects at a large number of universities but consider how important the brand or reputation of the university is in the decision-making as a route to your future career.

A university experience that reflects what’s key to the student

When it comes to choosing a university, there is no right or wrong choice. It all depends on the student’s subject interests, career aspirations and the experience they’re looking for. University is a formative time for many students, so it’s critical that they explore their options with a focus on the learning experience and the social life that they want to experience.

Universities to Study Chemical Engineering in the United Kingdom:

Top Universities to Study Chemical Engineering in the UK

Universities in the United Kingdom have a reputation accredited to their name across the world. The universities are equipped with some of the best facilities to study engineering and have a great life for students to enjoy during their time in the UK. 

Masters in Chemical Engineering in the UK: Course Highlights

A Master's in chemical engineering will help the students use their knowledge to process chemicals and materials. The duration of a master's in Chemical Engineering in the UK is different for different universities. The full-time course duration for a master's in Chemical Engineering in the UK is one year. Part-time courses may take 2-3 years to complete. The successful candidates with master's degrees in the UK typically are employed by the plastic & metal industry, fibre & polymer industry, pulp & paper industry, and food industry.

 

The top engineering universities in UK that offer degrees in chemical engineering are: 

University of Cambridge 

The University of Cambridge is also one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, just like its rival, Oxford. The chemical engineering program at the University of Cambridge is regarded as the best in the United Kingdom. It faces a huge influx of students each year applying to its chemical engineering program. The university is equipped with a world-class faculty and offers students a chance to interact with the best minds in the field. Besides, it also has a very enriching experience for students beyond academics. Students are also prepared for the future in its aim to power entrepreneurs and thinkers for the future. 

The degrees offered at the university include BEng in Chemical Engineering and MEng in Chemical Engineering (Hons.)

 

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham is also another reputed institution to study chemical engineering at. The program at the University of Nottingham is regarded as the third-best program in the country. The university also benefits from its reputation within the industry. Many employers hire graduates from the University of Nottingham. About 92% of graduates go on to find jobs in the field of chemical engineering. 

The degrees are offered at both – graduate and postgraduate levels. The University, however, is largely known for its MEng in Chemical Engineering.  

Imperial College London

The Imperial College London is home to one of the best chemical engineering programs in the United Kingdom. The college benefits from its location in the metropolis of London, which allows students a chance at excellent employment in some of the world’s most reputed companies. The university also has close tie-ups with industry professionals and experts who visit to share their insights and learnings. 

Overall, Imperial College London is an excellent university to choose from and ranked as the best one for international students. The most sought-after degree in this university is the BEng in Chemical Engineering (Hons.)

 

Newcastle University 

Newcastle University is one of the longest-standing stalwarts in chemical engineering. The university has built its reputation in excelling in engineering (even Rowan Atkinson studied engineering here!). The university is studded with some of the best teaching minds in chemical engineering and teaches in a more application-oriented way. 

The degrees are offered at both graduate and postgraduate levels. The university, however, draws more attention for its BEng in Chemical Engineering. 

Other popular schools to study engineering in the UK include the University of Bristol, Leeds, Northampton, and Surrey.

Cost of Studying Master in Chemical Engineering in the UK

When a student prepares their mind for admission to the UK, the next thing they must consider is the cost of studying. A one-year master's degree in chemical engineering in the UK will cost around 20000 to 32000 GBP. Students can also avail some scholarships. Although tuition fee differs for different universities and different course disciplines, mostly the tuition fee for this course ranges between 20,900 GBP-32,500 GBP.

The following graph will help you to choose your university:

Masters in Chemical Engineering in the UK: Scholarships

The qualified students may apply for a scholarship so that their master's program may not become a burden on their pockets. The following Table will help you to choose the suitable scholarship to start your master's in chemical engineering in the UK:
 

 
Jobs & Salary After Masters in Chemical Engineering in the UK

Significant employers in oil and gas extraction, nuclear oil refining, and other power generation industries, including fine and heavy chemicals, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals in the UK, employ students with masters in chemical engineering. Many chemical engineers can also find jobs in engineering consultancy and contracting firms. There are opportunities to work in environmental protection, pollution control, recycling, energy conservation, and alternative energy.

The average annual salaries of chemical engineers are around 30,000 GBP at an entry level. To experienced professional salaries offered are approximately 55,000 GBP. Salaries for chartered chemical engineers in the UK are about 78,500 GBP.

The table below contains job designations and average salary information for students with chemical engineering degrees.
 

Cost of Studying Master in Chemical Engineering in the UK

When a student prepares their mind for admission to the UK, the next thing they must consider is the cost of studying. A one-year master's degree in chemical engineering in the UK will cost around 20000 to 32000 GBP. Students can also avail some scholarships. Although tuition fee differs for different universities and different course disciplines, mostly the tuition fee for this course ranges between 20,900 GBP-32,500 GBP.

The following graph will help you to choose your university:
 

Masters in Chemical Engineering in the UK: Scholarships

The qualified students may apply for a scholarship so that their master's program may not become a burden on their pockets. The following Table will help you to choose the suitable scholarship to start your master's in chemical engineering in the UK:
 

Jobs & Salary After Masters in Chemical Engineering in the UK

Significant employers in oil and gas extraction, nuclear oil refining, and other power generation industries, including fine and heavy chemicals, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals in the UK, employ students with masters in chemical engineering. Many chemical engineers can also find jobs in engineering consultancy and contracting firms. There are opportunities to work in environmental protection, pollution control, recycling, energy conservation, and alternative energy.

The average annual salaries of chemical engineers are around 30,000 GBP at an entry level. To experienced professional salaries offered are approximately 55,000 GBP. Salaries for chartered chemical engineers in the UK are about 78,500 GBP.

 

The table below contains job designations and average salary information for students with chemical engineering degrees.
 

Scope of Chemical Engineering in UK

Why Study Chemical Engineering in UK?

Well, since the sphere of chemical engineering as a subject is wider and larger than others, Chemical Engineering in UK for Indian students is also diversified. Starting from the potential to enter the food processing industry where you can improvise on the production techniques to enhance the fertilizers. Then comes the fabric industry. Developing new and next-gen fabrics like synthetic fabrics and water-resistant clothes.

The MSc in Chemical Engineering in UK for International students is pretty big. Chemical engineers are needed in the environment and mitigation. They can assist in pollution control and further develop solutions for remediation of the problems affecting the overall climate. One thing is clear that a chemical engineer is an essential part of every single industry that is needed for human survival. So, the Scope of Chemical Engineering in UK and all over the globe is pretty extensive.

Entry Requirement for Chemical Engineering in UK

The main Entry Requirement for Chemical Engineering in UK is a minimum second class honors degree in Chemical Engineering or upper second class honors degree in Chemical Engineering . 

Students with substantial professional experience along with the evidence of academic potential can also be considered for Masters in Chemical Engineering in the UK. 

Masters in Chemical Engineering Requirements UK makes it necessary for the students to get a general pass mark of 50%. 

It is important to note that MSc in Chemical Engineering in the UK Requirements are subject to change every year since it gets updated every year and for updated information, contact Zoom Abroad study abroad partners! 

English Language Requirements for Chemical Engineering in UK

It is important for the students coming from non-English speaking background to satiate English Language Requirements for Chemical Engineering in UK. Examinations like IELTS, TOEFL and PTE test the English language proficiency of the students. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0, TOEFL score of 79, PTE score of 53 is the minimum English Language Requirements for Masters in Chemical Engineering in UK for most of the Universities since they want their performance percentage to excel. Few Universities have specific band scores requirements. The minimum English Language Requirements for MSc in Chemical Engineering in UK is subject to change and is totally dependent on the Universities and their respective departments.

Masters in Chemical Engineering in UK without IELTS

Even though IELTS is one of the most important prerequisites for a student’s application for admission in master’s courses in UK, several UK Universities relax the students on this eligibility criterion. This means students can pursue Masters in Chemical Engineering in UK without IELTS. The IELTS is completely waived off after taking few conditions into consideration. These include assessment of the student’s class twelve English language scores, students coming from English medium schools, and telephonic interviews conducted for testing the English language proficiency of the students.

Some Universities in the UK consider the English language competence of a student by considering his or her scores in senior secondary and matriculation in English. Masters in Chemical Engineering in UK without IELTS is possible with a minimum of 60% in the twelfth English language examinations. The minimum score is subject to change based on the Universities. In some other cases, if the applicants have English as the main instruction medium throughout their school life and their overall grades are good.

The admission committee at different UK Universities might waive off the IELTS score requirement. Before coming up with the final decision on the applications of the students, some Universities in UK like to have a word with the applicants. They generally interview the candidates on telephone calls. These interviews are carried out for determining the English language competence of the applicants. If the applicants can impress the interviewers properly, their IELTS might be waived off.

Universities offering MSc in Chemical Engineering in UK without IELTS are:

FAQs: Studying Chemical Engineering in the UK 

Ques 1. Which university is best for Masters in Chemical Engineering in the UK?

Ans. The top 5 UK universities for studying Chemical Engineering:
 

• University of Cambridge
• Imperial College London
• University of Nottingham
• Lancaster University
• University of Birmingham

Ques 2. Is UK good for Masters in Chemical Engineering?
Ans.

• Yes. UK is one of the best choices for Chemical Engineering.
• Four universities in the UK ranked in the top 50 universities of offering the best Chemical Engineering degrees.
• Two-fifths of the chemical engineering graduates are employed within six months after graduation.
• Employed graduates are working as Production and Process Engineers with high salaries.
   

Ques 3. Are Chemical Engineers in demand in the UK?

Ans. Yes. Chemical Engineers are in great demand in the UK after the country's top survey company reports a shortfall of engineers.

Ques 4. Which specialisation is best in Chemical Engineering?

Ans. Pharmaceutical Engineering is one of the best specialisations to pursue in Chemical Engineering.

If you want to pursue chemical engineering in the UK, Book your free session with the experienced advisors of Zoom Abroad today. Don't forget to register and create your profile in order to get matched with the best-fit UK university and course. Other than engineering programs there are a variety of courses available in the UK. You can choose from a wide array of Engineering, Medicine and, Management courses to figure out which one is the most suitable based on your profile and long-term goals.