Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is the discipline that bridges the gap between laboratory chemistry and industrial production, applying the principles of chemistry, physics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics to design processes that transform raw materials into the fuels, medicines, plastics, foods, and materials that society depends on. Chemical engineers work at a scale where the physical and chemical behaviour of materials under industrial conditions becomes the central challenge, and they address questions of efficiency, safety, sustainability, and economic viability that are critical to both industry and public welfare.

At the University of Surrey, this three-year full-time programme prepares you for the future by integrating digital skills, AI tools, and modern engineering methods throughout the curriculum, developing the confidence and creativity that employers value in a rapidly changing workplace. You will study the core engineering sciences that underpin chemical process design, including thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and process control, alongside the mathematical and computational methods used to model and optimise industrial processes. The programme develops both your analytical rigour and your practical understanding of how engineering knowledge is applied in professional and industrial contexts.

Graduates of chemical engineering programmes are in strong demand across a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, specialty chemicals, environmental engineering, and renewable energy. Roles in process design, plant engineering, research and development, project management, and consultancy are all accessible to graduates with a strong engineering foundation. Many pursue professional engineering registration, building towards chartered status, and postgraduate study in chemical engineering or process technology is a route for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue research careers.