Chemical Engineering including an Industrial Year

Chemical engineering applies scientific principles, primarily chemistry, physics, and mathematics, to the design, optimisation, and safe operation of processes that transform raw materials into useful products. Fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals, food products, and many of the materials that modern life depends on are all produced by chemical processes that chemical engineers design and manage. The discipline is concerned with efficiency, safety, sustainability, and the scaling of laboratory discoveries into industrial reality.

At the University of Nottingham, this four-year full-time programme considers each candidate on an individual basis and accepts a broad range of qualifications. The degree includes a foundation year, providing a thorough preparation in mathematics, chemistry, and engineering principles before degree-level work begins. An industrial year is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to work in a chemical engineering or process industry environment during your studies.

This industrial placement is a significant feature: chemical engineers are in demand across a wide range of sectors, and spending a year in industry gives you valuable professional experience, clarity about your career interests, and a network of contacts that is difficult to build any other way.

You will study thermodynamics, reaction engineering, fluid dynamics, mass and energy transfer, process design, and control systems, developing both the analytical depth and the practical engineering judgement that the industry requires.

Graduates go on to work in the oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food and drink, water treatment, and renewable energy sectors. Roles include process engineer, plant engineer, project manager, research and development engineer, and environmental engineer. Professional qualifications through the Institution of Chemical Engineers provide the route to chartered engineer status.

Postgraduate study in chemical engineering or a related field is also an option for those pursuing specialist or research careers.