Learn the core knowledge and technical skills of chemical engineering and focus on the environmental challenges of new technologies, processes and products.

The first three years of our course develop your understanding of the core practices of chemical engineering. Through problem-based learning, you'll critically apply mathematical, scientific and engineering knowledge to projects. A mix of practical work in laboratories and theory in lectures and seminars gives you the breadth of learning needed to become adept in the subject.

You’ll also develop transferable skills such as problem solving, teamwork and resource management. Integrating these with your technical knowledge, you’ll learn how to tackle complex, and often open-ended, engineering problems. The individual and group projects you carry out through the degree are a chance for you to develop scientific ideas from bench scale to process scale.

In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to build on your chemical engineering knowledge by specialising in environmental engineering. Choosing this route allows you to explore aspects that address social, environmental and health issues, as well as sustainability. Focusing on environmental science and engineering, you'll study the economic, legislative and ethical issues that control environmental protection and sustainability. Areas you'll cover will include clean technologies such as water treatment and waste management.

You can switch between this and our MEng Chemical Engineering course up until the end of your third year. This is so you can use your study experience so far to help you decide on your final degree.

Studying an MEng gives you an in-depth study experience through advanced taught units and project work. You can explore topics in more depth through a semester-long research project that can be completed at Bath, a university abroad or in industry. Our MEng degrees also fulfil the educational requirements you need to become a Chartered Engineer.

Learn from experts in the field

Our department’s great staff and student community provides a friendly and supportive environment to learn in. We deliver teaching complemented by guest lectures from practitioners to give you a professional and practical perspective on the subject. You’ll learn from expert academic staff whose industrial collaborations, research and entrepreneurial activities feed into our teaching and contribute to your learning experience.

Use specialist facilities

Specialist facilities are central to your study experience. Our laboratory facilities range from bench scale to pilot scale and are specially equipped to enhance your education in becoming a chemical engineer. You’ll have access to:

• teaching labs with continuous reactors, microbial bioreactors and a range of other bespoke equipment that demonstrates core chemical engineering concepts
• reaction engineering research labs where we are making breakthroughs in sustainable products
• advanced separation research laboratories focused on the synthesis and characterisation of low-cost membrane technology
• high-spec biochemical engineering labs where the fuels and foods of the future are being developed

Play a video tour of our laboratory facilities to see the equipment you could be using as part of your degree.

Category C

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
• IELTS Indicator: 6.5 with 6.0 in each component
  
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components
• TOEFL IBT and IBT Special Home Edition: 90 overall with 21 in each component
  
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
• Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 120 overall with sub scores of Literacy 120, Comprehension 130, Conversation 115, Production 100
• Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 120 overall with sub scores of Literacy 120, Comprehension 120, Conversation 120, Production 120
• LanguageCert SELT: B2 Communicator High Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Start your future here

Chemical engineering is one of the highest-paid professions in the UK. With a degree from Bath, you can be confident that you’ll graduate with the specific engineering knowledge as well as valuable transferable skills to help start your career. You could take on technical and managerial roles across industry and commercial sectors. For example, you could follow a career in alternative fuels, healthcare industries, water treatment, production of consumables such as foodstuffs and toiletries in the fast moving consumer goods industries, and oil and gas. When you graduate, you’ll be able to adapt to a variety of roles in a changing world and discipline.