Chemical Engineering with a Foundation Year

Chemical engineering is the discipline that designs, optimises, and manages the processes that turn raw materials into the products on which modern society depends. From pharmaceutical manufacture and fuel production to food processing and advanced materials, chemical engineers apply chemistry, physics, and mathematics to ensure that industrial processes are safe, efficient, economically viable, and increasingly sustainable. The discipline also takes seriously the management of by-products and waste, reflecting a growing emphasis on responsible resource use and environmental stewardship.

At Swansea University this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, making the degree accessible to students who need additional preparation in science and mathematics before entering degree-level study. Swansea's engineering provision has strong industrial connections, particularly in the Welsh and UK manufacturing and energy sectors, and the programme is designed with professional practice firmly in view. You will study the core chemical engineering sciences, including thermodynamics, reaction engineering, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, process design, and safety management, developing both the quantitative rigour and the practical understanding that employers in the industry expect.

The typical entry tariff of 72 points reflects the accessible entry point that the foundation year creates.

You will develop analytical problem-solving skills, the ability to design and evaluate industrial processes, and a thorough understanding of the safety and environmental considerations that are central to responsible chemical engineering practice.

Graduates of chemical engineering work in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food and drink, energy, and environmental sectors, as well as in process safety, materials science, and bioprocessing. Many pursue chartered engineer status after graduation. Postgraduate study in chemical engineering, energy systems, or sustainable processes is a well-established route for those seeking specialist or research roles.