Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year

University of Birmingham

United Kingdom, Birmingham

University Rank:#76

Duration5 year(s)

Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026

Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year

About

Our Chemical Engineering Foundation Year is an integrated foundation degree, giving you access to our highly ranked chemical engineering undergraduate courses. If you don’t have the qualifications necessary to apply directly for first-year entry, this could be the way to go.

in the Russell Group for overall satisfaction - National Student Survey 2021

5th

The Guardian University Guide 2022

5th

The Times Good University Guide 2022

Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year

Our Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year is multidisciplinary and offers a broad programme of study, providing a solid level of knowledge across science, engineering and mathematics. Maths is essential for all students to succeed within chemical engineering, so we place a great emphasis on this subject. The skills you learn here will allow you to enter the first year on an equal footing to those who have taken A Level maths.

You will also take modules in science and engineering. As well as leading to specific degree courses, these modules will help you develop many transferable skills including teamwork, confidence-building in technology and numeracy, computer literacy and presentation skills.

Once you’ve completed this course successfully and have meet the subject-specific progression criteria, you can transfer to your chosen first-year course:

Why study Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year at Birmingham?

Study at a world-class Chemical Engineering department
We are a top 100 global university for chemical engineering - QS 2024 World University Rankings
Access the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory
Our multi-million pound investment in new state-of-the-art facilities with purpose built laboratories offer you the opportunity to learn and work in a dedicated space, designed to promote and encourage collaborative and interdisciplinary working.
Discover a world of employment opportunities
Thanks to our strong links with industry leaders, you'll have the competitive edge for employment, as we open up connections with GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Shell, BP and ExxonMobil.
Industry-focused design project
You will undertake a design project in your third year to design a particular chemical process, championed by an industrial partner
Benefit from our unique facilities
The School of Chemical Engineering is the first in the UK to have a research facility for energy storage using cryogenic liquids, comprising new laboratories, state-of-the-art equipment, and a major demonstration plant - The Birmingham Centre for Cryogenic Energy Storage.

Meet our Student Bloggers

The best way to find out what life is really like as a student in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham is to hear from our students. Our students study a range of programmes from across our college – from Mathematics to Mechanical Engineering. Get some great tips and a real insight into what life is really like if you choose to study with us.

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Why study this course?

Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year, University of Birmingham, This one-year undergraduate course is designed for students whose qualifications are not appropriate for direct entry on to one of our honours degrees

Requirements

English Program Requirements

A Levels

BBB. Students taking Mathematics are not considered, General Studies not considered

T Levels

Merit overall, with core grade B from one of the following T Level courses:

Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering & Manufacturing
Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
Design and Development for Engineering & manufacturing

Other T Levels are not considered

GCSE

Minimum 6/B in GCSE Mathematics

International Baccalaureate

32 overall with 555 at Higher Level, Mathematics not considered.

BTEC

DDD Extended Diploma in Engineering, Applied Science or Computing with entry test.
Others accepted alongside A Levels as above.

Access to Higher Education

In Engineering, Combined Sciences (with at least 12 credits in either Chemistry or Physics), Chemical Sciences or Physical Sciences with 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3 out of which 30 are at Distinction.

Other qualifications considered, please contact the Admissions Tutor for clarification.

Birmingham International Academy

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

Please note this course is only open to UK students. International students may apply to one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

Career

The information below relates to graduates from our Beng/Meng courses:

You'll graduate with the technical, analytical and professional skills you need to lead future change in a variety of sectors, such as oil and gas, pharmaceutical, energy and finance. Along with these subject-specific skills, your degree will enhance your confidence in leadership, evaluation and teamwork, all key strengths to bring to prospective employers. Meanwhile, your dedicated Industrial Tutor is on hand to help with sourcing placement, CV writing and interview preparation.

Chemical Engineering prepared me for my career by teaching me the core principles of engineering so I could then apply them to technical problems within the workplace. I applied these when I worked in my placement year at Dow Corning.

Will Davies, MEng Chemical Engineering graduate

Graduates who have studied our courses:

Example employers

BP
ExxonMobil
Unilever
GlaxoSmithKline
Tata Steel
Imerys
AstraZeneca
Cadbury

Example careers

Process engineer
Design engineer
Analytical scientist
Formulation engineer
Production engineer
Patent attorney
Project manager
Investment banker

Developing your career

At Careers Network, our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

An internship can complement your studies perfectly, giving you practical, real-world insights into the world of work in your chosen field. You can apply for the Work Experience Bursary Scheme, the Birmingham Undergraduate Internship Programme or one of our successful mentoring schemes.

Visit the Careers Network website for more details

Fee Information

Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year

University of Birmingham

United Kingdom, Birmingham