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Huddersfield University Campus

Chemical Engineering with Chemistry MEng

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Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

4 years full-time 5 years inc placement

UCAS Tariff

120-136


Recent Awards For Excellence

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About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • During your optional placement year, you'll gain lab experience, explore career options, and build networks for your future career.
  • Start your journey towards achieving Chartered Chemical Engineer status after completion.
  • Prepare for careers in chemical, environmental, nuclear, or oil and gas industries, or progress to further study.

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

Chemical engineering is a vital branch of engineering concerned with the analysis and design of chemical processes for manufacturing purposes. Continuing your chemical engineering education alongside chemistry opens you up to potentially exciting career opportunities where you can make an impact in a variety of fields, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare, process design and construction.

Why study Chemical Engineering with Chemistry MEng

This Chemical Engineering with Chemistry MEng course is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), meaning it will provide you with in-depth coverage of modern, industry-relevant chemical engineering material, from the fundamentals all the way to process design.

This advanced course is a step up from the undergraduate BEng(Hons) course. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of chemical engineering as well as chemistry, with an emphasis on further developing skills such as problem solving and logical reasoning.

You’ll be taught by leading academics through lectures, seminars, and sessions, which will be supplemented by modern industry instruments in our specialist chemical sciences and chemical engineering labs, which include pilot-scale rigs. Following your first two years in the course, you’ll put your knowledge and skills to the test in an optional supervised work placement.

Career opportunities after the course *

Process Engineers

Safety Engineers

Plant Engineers

Product Safety Engineers

Chemical Process Engineers

*Lightcast

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

AAB-BBB at A Level including Maths and either Chemistry or Physics. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A Level study, and is a requirement for entry to our degree course.
136-120 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications including A Levels in Maths and either Chemistry or Physics. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A Level study, and is a requirement for entry to our degree course.


If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Science Extended Degree (BCF0).

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module teaches you to recognise a range of functional groups and to name systematically compounds that contain them. Structure and bonding in organic compounds are discussed, as are the concepts of the octet rule, orbital hybridisation, formal charge, bond polarisation and resonance. The importance of molecular geometry is introduced and the basic principles of molecular conformation and of stereochemistry are covered. In preparation for the chemistry to follow, an integrated treatment of the 'language of chemical change' is presented. The ideas of mechanism and reaction intermediates are met, together with the curly arrow symbolism which chemists use to represent the electron movement inherent in chemical reactions. In the second half of the module, the chemistry of the principal functional groups is considered, using the ideas developed earlier. The lecture programme is reinforced by regular tutorials in which problems are worked. Running parallel to the lecture programme is a continuously assessed practical course that introduces you to the basic techniques of preparative organic chemistry.

This module covers four areas of physical chemistry: Units, Conversions and the Properties of ideal and non-ideal Gases, Solution Chemistry of Acids, Bases and Salts, Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis, and Introductory Thermodynamics

This module introduces you to the industrial manufacture of important chemicals and prepares you to formulate and solve material and energy balances on chemical systems. It also lays the foundation for subsequent courses in unit operations and chemical reaction engineering. It introduces the principles of operation and analysis of operations in chemical processes and the use of computer software packages including chemical engineering simulation software.

This module introduces you to the fundamental concepts of fluid flow and heat transfer with emphasis on practical design and rating calculations.

This module covers two distinct areas of learning relevant to chemical engineers: (i) practical chemical engineering laboratory skills; and (ii) an introduction to the chemistry of the elements. The chemical engineering laboratory component of the module gives you the opportunity to engage with the practical laboratory skills in a chemical engineering context. You'll have the chance to learn the skills of safe laboratory practice; data recording, analysis, presentation and interpretation; practical application of fundamental chemical engineering knowledge; and basic technical report writing skills. The inorganic chemistry component of the module introduces you to the chemistry of the elements. Starting with the earliest known chemical events in the universe, this module discusses the elements, their origin, structure and properties before looking at the structure and bonding in and reactions of chemical compounds. The module also encompasses a number of areas of (mostly) main group chemistry including, but not limited to, the constituents of the earth's crust and the chemistry of the atmosphere.

In this key first year module you will gain fundamental knowledge and practical techniques in Engineering Mathematics to deal with analytical modules in the subsequent years of your course. Amongst the subjects you will study will be: functions, linear mathematics, calculus and numerical techniques to solve real world engineering problems.

This module covers six topics: equilibrium and dynamic electrochemistry, phase equilibria, colloids and colloidal suspensions, colligative properties, kinetics of composite reactions and quantum theory – basic principles and simple applications. With the exception of quantum theory, material in the other areas builds on that presented in year 1.

This module develops a basic understanding of key mass transfer unit operations of distillation and absorption, including skills for the calculations of binary distillation, and absorption processes. The module provides an introduction to these separation processes based on the principles of mass transfer theory. Methods of operation, phase equilibria and separating agents are also examined. Overall, the module provides the basis for the building of simple mathematical models to represent the operation of the key mass transfer-based separation processes. The module also develops fundamental concepts in transport phenomena and process development, building on earlier modules in fluid flow and heat transfer. Transport phenomena is principally concerned with the unified study of three physical transport processes: momentum, heat and mass transfer. These processes are closely aligned because they often occur together, are described by closely related equations, rely on the principle of conservation (of mass, energy and momentum) and have similar underlying molecular mechanisms. This module develops a physical picture of laminar and turbulent flow and its implications for transport processes.

This module provides the basic knowledge for the design and analysis of chemical/biochemical reactors. It also provides the basis to acquire further skills needed for the solution of quantitative problems encountered in the process industries. Effects of non-ideal flow conditions, ideal mixing and fixed or fluidized bed catalytic reactors will be covered.

This module provides the knowledge and understanding of chemical engineering design in practice mainly in the aspects of process design. It also extends the use of essential chemical engineering design tools for process simulation.

This module provides an introduction to fluid and particle mechanics, methods of solid-liquid and solid-gas separation. It provides basic concepts related to particle-fluid motion and solid handling including size analysis. It describes principles and calculation methods for separation, filtration, flow of fluids through packed beds of solid particles, fluidised beds, comminution, mixing, storage and rheology.

This module provides coverage of the more important methods of forming carbon-carbon single and double bonds. Following on from year 1 carbonyl chemistry, some more advanced aspects of carbonyl chemistry will be discussed. Main-group elements and their role in synthesis will also be considered. Retrosynthetic analysis will be introduced in the context of carbonyl chemistry and will be developed to enable you to plan some complex multistep syntheses. The synthesis and reactions of the main classes of simple heterocyclic compounds will be covered. The chemistry of other biologically-important compounds such as carbohydrates amino acids will also be detailed. More advanced aspects of stereochemistry are covered, and the relationship between conformation and reactivity is explored. The module has a practical component which focuses on the use of more advanced techniques for the preparation, isolation and analysis (IR and NMR) of target molecules. A part of the practical session is devoted to the isolation of stereochemically pure products.

The supervised work experience (SWE) is normally a 48 week placement in a suitable organisation. The actual content of the placement will vary depending on the specific background and demands of individual students and the opportunities available within differing employing organisations. Placements are available both within the UK and abroad and assistance is provided to help find a suitable position. You'll be visited up to twice a year by your University tutor. The SWE provides an opportunity for you to experience employment within organisations related to your chosen pathway and at the same time improve your technical and social skills.

From the IChemE Accreditation Guide: “In order to meet the learning outcomes associated with the systems approach, the design portfolio must include a major design exercise which addresses the complexity issues arising from the interaction and integration of the different parts of a process or system. It is expected that this major project will be undertaken by teams of students and that this will contribute significantly to the development of the students’ transferable skills such as communication and team working.” A minimum of 30 UK credits of Design Project work is required for IChemE accreditation.

From the IChemE Accreditation Guide: “In order to meet the learning outcomes associated with the systems approach, the design portfolio must include a major design exercise which addresses the complexity issues arising from the interaction and integration of the different parts of a process or system. It is expected that this major project will be undertaken by teams of students and that this will contribute significantly to the development of the students’ transferable skills such as communication and team working.” A minimum of 30 UK credits of Design Project work is required for IChemE accreditation.

This module provides knowledge and understanding of process control and issues and engineering approach to process safety in chemical industry. The module will also introduce the concept of process control, explain the need for process control, explore applications and develop control strategies for specific problems. This will include the study of P, PI, PD and PID controllers for the control of flow rate, level, pressure and temperature in process plant unit operations, controller tuning strategies, methods for the testing of process plant control systems and advanced control strategies.

This module is designed to introduce and develop important concepts in catalytic reaction engineering and advanced mass transfer processes. The module will draw upon key knowledge and abilities gained in previous modules covering reaction engineering, mass transfer, heat transfer, process simulation and physical chemistry. The module will also cover fundamental principles of catalytic reaction engineering and gas-solid catalytic reactors, including the design of tubular fixed-bed reactors and the evaluation of catalytic performance from example laboratory data. The module will develop knowledge and abilities required for the advanced separation systems in which mass transfer is key, including complex distillation processes (distillation sequencing, azeotropic distillation), membrane processes and other selected separation systems. The introduction and development of these broad areas will be underpinned by the use of process simulation software to exemplify and reinforce key concepts and examples.

This module encourages you to develop your knowledge and understanding of sustainable development in industrial systems and to provide approaches to design and assess for sustainability. The module also encompasses large scale experimental work relevant to industrial practice in relation to sustainability. It aims to introduce the concepts of sustainability and carbon and water footprints and provide an overview renewable energy processes and carbon capture technologies. It also examines selected examples in detail, looks at process integration methodologies in design for sustainability and introduces techno-economic and life cycle assessments. The module also enables you to gain experience in experimental group work involving large scale equipment relevant to the technologies, industries and methodologies introduced in the module.

This module draws together the basic concepts of synthesis and reaction mechanisms in the context of providing methods for designing suitable synthetic routes to target compounds and also extends the range of reaction types to include pericyclic reactions. The module introduces contemporary preparative methods for the synthesis of organic compounds. Further aspects relating to designing a synthesis and the connection between design and retrosynthetic principles are covered. The selectivity of reactions and the concepts of regio-, chemo-, stereo- and enantioselectivity are developed as are the rules governing pericyclic reactions. The reaction mechanism component draws together concepts in both physical and mechanistic organic chemistry. This section provides techniques that can be used to differentiate between mechanistic types. The use of product analysis, activation parameters, linear free energy relationships and isotope effects to determine reaction mechanisms are described.

This module is designed to develop fundamental concepts in process development, building on earlier modules in fluid flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. It gives you the opportunity to extend your knowledge of related issues concerning the environment and sustainability. Process development is principally concerned with the successful scale up of chemical synthesis and is situated at the interface between chemistry and chemical engineering. It requires an awareness of various physicochemical principles and influencing factors such as reaction rate, selectivity, solvent effects on reactions, mixing effects and multiphase processing. This module examines systematic approaches to process development. The effects of physical processing conditions on scale up of synthetic process chemistry are also examined, including effects of batch transport phenomena, multiphase systems, mixing effects, batch charging and thermal effects. Examining the impact of engineering activities on the environment and sustainability are essential skills for any chemical engineer. This module extends important foundational ideas covered earlier in the course by focusing on sustainable development and waste minimization.

This module covers various aspects of advanced physical chemistry. Polymers are an industrially important material with applications in clothing, structural materials, coatings, data storage, etc. This module covers aspects of their synthesis and relates their chemical and structural properties to their applications. The properties of surfaces and the interaction of gas molecules with surfaces will be discussed. Different theories of adsorption will also be compared. The kinetics of surface reactions will be related to the mechanism of the reaction. The application of surface science type measurements in developing an understanding of how atoms and molecules adsorb on surfaces will be covered. Central to chemistry is being able to relate observation made in the laboratory to behaviour at the atomistic level and equally to use the interaction of atoms and molecules to derive quantities that can be measured at the macro-level. Thus statistical thermodynamics will be introduced and used to derive fundamental properties. Atomistic modelling also provides a view into the molecular world and after reviewing the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, the methods for approximating multi electron systems will be introduced and the applications in computational chemistry explored. The module will also provide you with a good knowledge in interfaces and catalysis, the principles of theoretical chemistry and further develop problem solving skills, especially to unfamiliar problems.

In this module you examine the molecular basis of product formulation and learn how to use advanced process simulation tools. You will also work in teams to complete an advanced design project. The advanced design project will involve comparing and critiquing different production routes for a speciality chemical. During the design project, you will work in small groups to generate an innovative product/process design to fulfil specific need.

This module is centred around the creation of detailed primer (report on recent review paper or book) that you'll have the opportunity to undertake on a specialist subject. In order to illustrate the learning purpose of this module, you'll be informed at the start of the module that the primers/reports submitted will be collated to form a textbook on “Recent Advances in Chemical Engineering” that will be made available to all students at the end of the course. The primer/report will also be peer reviewed by another student and also presented to the class by the main author. This will introduce the concept of peer review, provide additional quality control and allow the ideas gained to be effectively disseminated to and debated by the entire class. In addition to the book review, you'll also undertake to read articles in the IChemE monthly magazine, “The Chemical Engineer” (tce). This work will be demonstrated and assessed through a combination of monthly discussion groups and entries to their individual professional development portfolio.

An independent research programme in the broad area of chemical engineering, drawing on the School’s research activities in this area. Supervisors will outline the aims of the project and direct you to the most recent literature. You'll undertake a review of the literature related to your project in order to prepare a research proposal that presents a reasoned case for undertaking the research. You'll then plan your projects in light of the current state of the field of research and the opportunities within the School’s resources and activities. You'll be given advice on research methods but will also be expected to lead the planning yourself. The projects will show depth and will involve advanced laboratory, instrumental and/or theoretical or computational techniques. They will be open ended and you'll be expected to review progress regularly and modify research plans accordingly. Group projects will be encouraged, though individual students will work independently. You'll present your research outcomes orally at a mini-conference and on a poster, and also defend at a poster day once the project is completed.

Teaching and Assessment

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Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

Interested in a placement?

Placements

In the third year of this course, you’ll get the chance to step out of the classroom and into the real world on an optional placement year working for an organisation related to your areas of interest. This is when you’ll really be able to see your knowledge in action, pick up invaluable skills for your future career and boost your employability to help you hit the ground running after graduation.

You could stay to do your placement in the UK or experience a new culture and work abroad for one year. Where could this year take you?

Previous students in the Chemical Engineering subject area have undertaken placements with Kemira, Rosehill Polymers, Sensient, University of Huddersfield and Verdant Speciality Solutions.

During my placement year, as a Junior Process Engineer, I gained hands-on experience in chemical engineering, design and conducting hazard and operability studies (HAZOP). It was good to see the applications of what I'd studied in my degree in the context of the real world.

- Jamie Wordsworth
Chemical Engineering MEng, placement at Manrochem

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

As a graduate of this course, you may consider a career in a wide range of areas, including chemical manufacturing, environmental consultancy, nuclear engineering, scale-up and plant design, process plant trouble shooting, oil and gas, water, food and energy, research and development, patent law and teaching.

Previous graduates from our courses in the subject area of Chemical Engineering have gone on to work in roles such as Process Engineer at Spirit Energy, Process Operator at Dow, Process Engineer at Sterling Pharma Solutions, Safety Engineer at BAE Systems, Drilling Fluids Engineer at Halliburton, Process Safety Engineer at Flogas, Radiological Safety Assessor at National Nuclear Laboratory and Supply Chain Manager at Procter & Gamble.**

**University of Huddersfield

80-90%
80-90% of students from this subject area were in work or further study within 15 months after graduation.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22, UK Domiciled

3rd
We ranked third in the country for teaching on my course and assessment and feedback.

* National Student Survey (NSS), 2025

6th
We ranked sixth in the country for organisation and management in this subject area.

* National Student Survey (NSS), 2025

Chemical Engineering at the University of Huddersfield combines Maths, Science, creative thinking and teamwork, with concentrated focus on communication, into a very diverse course that has enabled me to manage projects that really matter.

- Aaminah Nisa
Graduated Chemical Engineering MEng, now a Global Graduate Engineer at Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc.

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£9,790 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£17,600 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

Home

The tuition fee for a placement year is £1000. If you go on work experience or work placement, you will need to fund your own travel and/or accommodation costs to and from the placement.  Please be aware that if your placement is outside of the UK, you will still be responsible for your travel and living expenses and may need to consider issues like health care and insurance costs.

International

The tuition fee for a placement year is £3,300. If you go on work experience or work placement, you will need to fund your own travel and/or accommodation costs to and from the placement.  Please be aware that if your placement is outside of the UK, you will still be responsible for your travel and living expenses and may need to consider issues like health care and insurance costs.

Scholarships and Bursaries

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Tuition Fee Loans

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What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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Why Hud

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Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

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Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

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Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Physical and Life Sciences may teach you on this course.

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Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

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Further Study

If you want to continue your learning beyond your undergraduate degree, there is a range of financial support available for postgraduate study, including discounts for Huddersfield graduates.

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