Chemical Engineering with Industrial Placement Year

Chemical engineering applies the principles of chemistry, physics and mathematics to the design, operation and optimisation of processes that transform raw materials into useful products at industrial scale. It is concerned with how chemical reactions, separations, heat transfer and fluid flow can be harnessed and controlled to manufacture everything from pharmaceuticals and fuels to foods and advanced materials. As the world grapples with the need to reduce carbon emissions, manage resources more efficiently and develop cleaner energy systems, the skills of chemical engineers are increasingly central to the solutions being sought.

At the University of Southampton you will study chemical engineering over four years of full-time study on a programme with a strong focus on sustainability, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to contribute to the transition towards a more resource-efficient and lower-carbon economy. An industrial placement year is built into the programme, giving you a substantial period of professional experience in industry before you return to complete your final year with enhanced practical understanding. You will develop competencies in process design, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, separation processes, safety and environmental management, alongside the mathematical modelling skills that underpin engineering analysis.

The programme's sustainability focus means you will also engage with life cycle assessment, green chemistry and the engineering dimensions of decarbonisation. The typical tariff of 152 reflects the mathematical rigour expected from the outset.

Chemical engineering graduates are among the most sought-after in engineering, with strong career prospects in energy, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and drink manufacturing, biochemicals, water treatment and environmental technology. Many graduates take on roles in process design, production management, safety engineering, technical consulting and research and development. The four-year programme with industrial placement provides an MEng-level qualification that is well recognised by employers and by professional bodies including the Institution of Chemical Engineers.