The top Chemical Engineering Universities in the UK, such as Imperial College London, the University of Manchester, and the University of Birmingham, help international students upgrade their technical abilities and equip them with advanced chemical and process engineering knowledge.
The Universities offer a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Master of Chemical Engineering (course-based and research-based), and PhD in Chemical, Biochemical and Process Engineering.
These programs are targeted to widen students' understanding of chemical and process engineering. Moreover, the universities have strong ties and links with industry, thus offering students opportunities to participate in and work on real-world engineering projects.
Top Universities for Chemical Engineering in the UK
According to QS Ranking, these are the top institutes in the UK for Chemical Engineering.
QS Ranking (Chemical Engineering) |
University |
#7 |
Imperial College London |
#19 |
University College London |
#15 |
University of Manchester |
#78 |
University of Nottingham |
#66 |
University of Birmingham |
#62 |
University of Edinburgh |
#68 |
University of Leeds |
#151-200 |
Loughborough University |
#151-200 |
University of Strathclyde |
#301-350 |
University of Aberdeen |
Bachelor of Engineering in the UK
|
Top Chemical Engineering Universities in the UK: Bachelor of Chemical Engineering
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering is generally 3 years long in the UK. Some universities also offer a 3-year course and 2-year placement years, making the course 4 years.
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Courses in the UK
University |
BE in Chemical Engineering fees in the UK |
University of Manchester |
BEng Chemical Engineering |
Teesside University |
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering |
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Industry |
|
University of Greenwich |
BEng in Chemical Engineering |
University of Leeds |
Chemical and Materials Engineering BEng |
Chemical Engineering BEng |
|
Chemical and Energy Engineering BEng |
|
Chemical and Nuclear Engineering BEng |
|
University College London |
Engineering (Chemical) BEng |
Engineering (Biochemical) BEng |
|
University of Edinburgh |
BEng Chemical Engineering |
University of Nottingham |
Chemical Engineering BEng |
Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering BEng |
|
University of Bath |
Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons) |
Heriot Watt University |
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering |
Brunel University London |
Chemical Engineering BEng |
Eligibility
Application Requirements/ Documents Checklist
- Academic documents include transcripts, character certificates, provisional certificates of higher secondary education, and class 10.
- Up-to-date CV
- Valid English Language Scores
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of Recommendation, if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Passport
- Proof of Scholarships, if any
Academic Requirements
Students must complete 12 years of education/ A Level or intermediate level (10+2) with a minimum of 50% to 80%. B Tech diploma in Science or Technology subjectsBiology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Environmental Science, Further Maths, Physics and Design & Technology (including Textiles, Food Production, Product Design, Systems and Control Technology) is also accepted.
English Language Requirements
These are the minimum scores in recognized English tests to study Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering in the UK are-
- IELTS: Overall 5.5-7.0, with no band score less than 5.5 to 6.5
- TOEFL: 70- 100 overall (minimum score 15-22 in each band)
- PTE: an average of 50-65 with no score lower than 50-60 in all skills.
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering fees in Top UK Universities
University |
Annual fees in GBP for international students |
Annual fees in GBP for domestic students |
University of Manchester |
27,000 |
9,250 |
University of Birmingham |
25,860 |
9,250 |
University of Strathclyde |
22,400 |
9,250 |
University of Wolverhampton |
13,950 |
9,250 |
Heriot-Watt University |
20,584 |
9,250 |
University of Nottingham |
26,500 |
9,250 |
University of Bradford |
21,124 |
9,250 |
Brunel University London |
20,450 |
9,250 |
University of Bath |
24,500 |
9,250 |
Lancaster University |
25,270 |
9,250 |
New Castle University |
25,200 |
9,250 |
University of Sheffield |
25,670 |
9,250 |
Top Chemical Engineering Universities in the UK: Master of Chemical Engineering
Most of the master's of chemical engineering courses in the UK are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
Master of Chemical Engineering Courses in the UK
University |
Course Name |
Imperial College London |
MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering |
MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering with Process Systems Engineering |
|
MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering with Biotechnology |
|
MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering with Structured Product Engineering |
|
University College London |
Chemical Process Engineering MSc |
Biochemical Engineering MSc |
|
University of Manchester |
MSc, Advanced Chemical Engineering |
MSc Advanced Process Integration and Design |
|
MSc by Research in Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering |
|
MSc by Research in Chemical Engineering |
|
MSc by Research in Process Integration |
|
University of Nottingham |
Chemical Engineering, MSc |
University of Birmingham |
Advanced Chemical Engineering, MSc |
Chemical Engineering Science, MRes |
|
MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering with Energy |
|
MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering with Formulation |
|
MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering with Bioprocessing |
|
MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering with Healthcare Technology |
|
University of Edinburgh |
MSc, Advanced Chemical Engineering |
University of Leeds |
Advanced Chemical Engineering, MSc |
Loughborough University |
MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering |
University of Strathclyde |
MSc, Advanced Chemical & Process Engineering |
University of Aberdeen |
Advanced Chemical Engineering, MSc |
Eligibility
Application Requirements/ Documents Checklist
- Academic documents of all the schools and colleges attended before (Bachelor, High school and class 10). The academic documents need to meet the requirements listed below. The academic document includes transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates.
- English Language Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- 1-3 Letters of Recommendation if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of Scholarships.
Academic Requirements
To study Master of Chemical Engineering in the UK, applicants must pass a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering with a minimum of 2:2 or 2:1 UK Honours degree.
This roughly translates as a minimum of the second class or above. The GPA requirement is higher for top universities like the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, etc.
English Language Requirements
As an international student, you need to bring minimum scores of-
- IELTS: 6.0- 7.0, with a minimum of 5.5- 7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 70- 110, with a minimum subscore of 21
- PTE: 60-75, with a minimum subscore of 55
Master of Chemical Engineering fees in Top UK Universities
University |
Annual tuition fees in £ for international students |
Annual tuition fees in £ for domestic students |
University of Manchester |
27,000 |
12,500 |
University of Edinburgh |
29,600 |
13,700 |
University of Hull |
9,000 |
9,000 |
University of Leeds |
25,750 |
11,500 |
University of Birmingham |
25,740 |
20,620 |
University of Greenwich |
14,500 |
8,759 |
University of Southampton |
26,000 |
9,250 |
Teesside University |
13,000 |
6,695 |
Imperial College London |
35,700 |
15,400 |
Universal College London |
31,200 |
16,000 |
Top Chemical Engineering Universities in the UK: PhD in Chemical Engineering
PhD in Chemical Engineering Courses in the UK
University |
Doctorate program in Chemical Engineering in the UK |
University of Manchester |
PhD in Chemical Engineering |
University of Nottingham |
Chemical Engineering PhD |
University of Birmingham |
Chemical Engineering PhD by Research |
Imperial College London |
PhD Programme in Chemical Engineering |
Brunel University London |
Chemical Engineering PhD |
University of Cambridge |
PhD in Chemical Engineering |
University of Strathclyde Glasgow |
PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering |
New Castle University |
Chemical Engineering, PhD |
University College London (UCL) |
Chemical Engineering, PhD |
Swansea University |
Chemical Engineering, PhD |
Under these courses, students can research in areas such as-
- Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs)
- Biochemical engineering
- Biomanufacturing
- Bioengineering, biomedical engineering
- Carbon nanotechnology
- Cell and tissue engineering
- Colloid science and engineering
- Desalination
- Emerging Contaminants in Water
- Engineering applications of nanotechnology
- Gas/liquid reactors
- Membrane separation
- Pharmaceutical engineering
- Polymer engineering
- Rheology
- Separation processes
- Transport processes
- Water and wastewater engineering
Eligibility
Application Requirements/ Documents Checklist
- Academic documents such as transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of master, bachelor, and intermediate levels
- English Language Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- Published research works
- Letter of Recommendation, if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of Scholarships, if any
Academic Requirements
- Applicants need a bachelor's degree with upper second class/ A UK 2:1 or 2:2 honours degree or a relevant degree.
- Applicants need to complete a thesis-based master's degree or master's degree in chemical engineering or chemistry with a minimum of 60% and a research component or equivalent and also complete a thesis.
- Published papers or research works in a relevant field.
- Contact and finalise supervisors of the respective department.
English test scores
Minimum cut-off scores in English test for international students to pursue PhD in Engineering-
- IELTS: IELTS Academic score of 6.0 to 7.0, with a minimum of 5.5-7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 70-100, with a minimum subscore of 19- 25 in each band
- PTE: 58, with a minimum subscore of 58
PhD in Chemical Engineering fees in top UK Universities
University |
Annual tuition fees for PhD in Chemical Engineering in the UK |
University of Manchester |
25,500- 32,000 |
University of Nottingham |
26,500 |
University of Birmingham |
24,780 |
Brunel University London |
20,450 |
University of Cambridge |
49,572 |
University of Strathclyde |
23,050 |
New Castle University |
26,700-33,300 |
University College London |
25,960 |
University of Surrey |
22,700 |
|
Top Chemical Engineering Universities in the UK: Scholarships
University |
Scholarships |
Value |
University of Birmingham |
Achievement Scholarship |
£1,500 |
Excellence Scholarship |
£1,500 |
|
Industrial Sponsorship Programme “RESPECT” |
The bursary is up to the company, but if it is offered, it is usually in the region of £1,000-£1,500 pa |
|
Institution of Engineering Technology Diamond Scholarship |
£1,000 |
|
University of Exeter |
Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarships |
starting from £5,000, payable as a reduction of the international tuition fee for the first year of study. |
Imperial College London |
President’s Undergraduate Scholarship |
£1,000 for each undergraduate year of study (for a maximum of four years). |
Imperial Bursary |
Up to £5,000/year, |
|
University of Liverpool |
Vice-Chancellor's International Attainment Scholarship 2021 |
2500 reduction in tuition fee |
International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship |
2500 |
|
Brunel University |
Brunel Graduate Discount |
15% of the tuition fee |
Top Chemical Engineering Universities in the UK: Jobs and Career Opportunities
A chemical engineering degree, be it a bachelor, master's or doctorate, prepares students for entry as well as seasoned-level positions in areas like:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food and drinks
- Clean energy
- Environmental waste management
- Oil and gas
- Petrochemicals
- Cosmetics
- Consumer products
- Agrochemicals
- Research and development
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
Process Engineer |
£25k - £40k |
£31,865 |
Project Engineer |
£26k - £52k |
£35,549 |
Chemical Engineer |
£23k - £47k |
£31,063 |
Senior Process Engineer |
£36k - £65k |
£48,191 |
Project Manager (Unspecified Type / General) |
£27k - £59k |
£38,642 |
Process Improvement Engineer |
£24k - £38k (Estimated *) |
£30,955 |
Research Analyst |
£20k - £37k (Estimated *) |
£27,011 |
Technical Support Engineer |
£17k - £31k (Estimated *) |
£22,930 |
Research Scientist |
£19k - £34k (Estimated *) |
£25,156 |
Sales Engineer |
£25k - £51k (Estimated *) |
£35,347 |
Research & Development (R&D) Manager |
£41k - £68k (Estimated *) |
£54,209 |
Quality Manager |
£20k - £39k (Estimated *) |
£27,561 |
Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer |
£20k - £31k (Estimated *) |
£24,643 |
Chemical Engineering graduates of the UK are employed in multinational companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Sellafield Ltd, Doosan Babcock and Atkins Global.