Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering transforms the discoveries of chemistry and the principles of physics into processes that can be scaled, controlled, and operated safely and economically. It is the discipline responsible for the design and operation of the systems that produce medicines, fuels, food, plastics, fertilisers, semiconductors, and countless other materials on which modern life depends. Chemical engineers must understand both the chemistry of the reactions they work with and the engineering of the reactors, separation processes, heat exchangers, and control systems that carry those reactions out at scale.
This programme at the University of Huddersfield includes a foundation year for students who need to build the scientific and mathematical preparation needed for degree-level engineering, as well as a sandwich year and work placement, giving you substantial professional experience within the degree. The foundation year develops your chemistry, mathematics, and physics to the level required, while the main degree covers fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, mass and heat transfer, reaction engineering, process control, and the design and safety of industrial processes. The sandwich year is a full year in industry, where you will work as a junior chemical engineer on real projects, developing the professional judgement and technical capability that employers value most.
Chemical engineering graduates are in strong and consistent demand across the process industries: oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, chemicals, polymers, water treatment, and energy. The engineering skills the degree develops are highly transferable, and many graduates move between sectors over their careers. Professional registration as a chartered engineer is available through the Institution of Chemical Engineers, for which the programme provides the academic foundation.
Postgraduate study in process engineering, environmental engineering, biotechnology, or related fields is an option for graduates who want to specialise or pursue research.