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Chemical Engineering

Entry requirements


AAA including Mathematics and either Chemistry or Physics. If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive. Typical Contextual Offer: AAB including A in Mathematics and B or above in Chemistry or Physics.

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course. Access to HE Diplomas will normally only be considered in conjunction with A-levels. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information before applying.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,D3

D3, D3, D3 in principal subjects including Mathematics and either Chemistry or Physics. We also consider applicants offering a mix of Pre-U Principal Subjects and A-level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall are taken. This must include Mathematics at D3 or A-level grade A. The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. However, the qualification will not form part of your offer conditions.

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your application.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically five GCSEs/iGCSEs, including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C/4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

36

36 points overall with 6,6,6 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics. We accept Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches only.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma

DD

We consider the Technical Diploma in Engineering. We require grades DD plus A-level Mathematics at grade A.

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate in Engineering. We require grade D plus A-level plus A-level Mathematics at grade A and A-level Chemistry or Physics at grade A.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

DDD

We consider the Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering. We require grades DDD plus A-level Mathematics at grade A.

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma in Engineering. We require grade D plus A-level Mathematics at grade A and A-level Chemistry or Physics at grade A.

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

DD

We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in Engineering or Applied Science. We require grades DD plus A-level Mathematics at grade A.

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

D

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in Engineering or Applied Science. We require grade D plus A-level Mathematics at grade A and A-level Chemistry or Physics at grade A.

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

DDD

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in Engineering or Applied Science. We require grades DDD plus A-level Mathematics at grade A.

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

M

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in Engineering or Applied Science. We require grade M plus A-level Mathematics at grade A and A-level Chemistry or Physics at grade A.

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers with grades AAB, including Mathematics at grade A and B or above in Chemistry or Physics. Or Two Advanced Highers with grade A in Mathematics and grade B in either Chemistry or Physics and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers with grades AAB, including Mathematics at grade A and B or above in Chemistry or Physics. Or Two Advanced Highers with grade A in Mathematics and grade B in either Chemistry or Physics and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this. We require minimum grade A from the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate to be considered for the course. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic department (s) you plan to apply to.

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About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Chemical engineering

Begin your journey towards a challenging yet rewarding career in chemical engineering by studying at the subject's birthplace: Manchester.

In the four-year Chemical Engineering MEng degree you will not only learn the fundamentals of this key subject; you'll also have the opportunity to specialise in an advanced area of your choosing - including energy, separation and modelling - so you can dig even deeper into the theme that interests you most. The fourth year also allows you to carry out a research project and write a dissertation in a specific area.

At Manchester, all of our programmes are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), meaning your education will equip you to graduate with an industrially approved degree. There will be emphasis on the technical aspects of chemical engineering, and these revolve around managing the behaviour of materials and chemical reactions, as well as predicting and manipulating compositions, flows, temperatures, and pressures of solids, liquids and gases.

This is balanced with process safety and sustainability, which are inherent to all of our programmes. The latter is heavily embedded within your third-year design project. Here, you will undertake an open-ended team project to design a complete production process. Examples have included the sustainable production of chemicals such as propylene oxide and ethylene glycol from waste, and our design teams have won more IChemE Macnab-Lacey Prize for their efforts than any other university.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

Extra funding

Visit our dedicated Fees and Funding section for information on scholarships and sponsorships.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Manchester

Department:

Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Sciences

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.

68%
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

51%
Staff make the subject interesting
72%
Staff are good at explaining things
68%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
75%
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

78%
Library resources
81%
IT resources
84%
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?

65%
UK students
35%
International students
73%
Male students
27%
Female students
88%
2:1 or above
7%
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.

£30,000
high
Average annual salary
93%
med
Employed or in further education
69%
low
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

30%
Engineering professionals
13%
Business, research and administrative professionals
13%
Business, finance and related associate professionals

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

£33k

£33k

£38k

£38k

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 the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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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