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Professionally accredited, and with paid placement opportunities, the MEng (Hons) / BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering offers excellent job prospects and the potential to help create a sustainable planet.
This course combines academic study, hands-on experience and group projects to ensure you develop the essential practical and communication abilities required by employers in the chemical engineering and processing industries.
Chemical engineering is at the forefront of the quest to produce clean energy and satisfy human needs across a number of areas in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. These areas include pharmaceuticals, health, food, drink, oil, gas, petrochemicals, agriculture, fine chemicals and materials.
Entry to this course is only available at Year 3 to BEng (Hons). If you are initially registered and enrolled on the BEng (Hons) course and meet the performance requirements you may be eligible to transfer onto the MEng (Hons) at a later stage of your programme.
The BEng (Hons) course is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) under license from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the high standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK for Professional Engineering Competence (UKSPEC). The curriculum is designed to satisfy internationally recognised accreditation requirements.
You will undergo a period of pilot plant-based training as part of the course and you can opt to take a one-year paid industrial placement between Year 3 and Year 4 as a supervised, junior chemical engineer.
Placements are obtained competitively and can be in any branch of the chemical/process industry in the UK or abroad. Previous placements have included GlaxoSmithKline, British Nuclear Fuels, Doosan Babcock, Diageo and Sellafield Ltd.
UWS has over 100 years’ experience in training engineers. Many of our courses are professionally accredited and designed to anticipate industry demand. Their delivery is supported by excellent on-campus facilities. Our students graduate with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to succeed in engineering.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
Advanced entry is only possible to BEng (Hons) Years 2 and 3 of this course for suitably qualified applicants (see below). There are no advanced entry opportunities on the MEng (Hons) course.
If you are initially registered and enrolled on the BEng (Hons) course, and meet the performance requirements you may be eligible to transfer onto the MEng (Hons) at a later stage in your programme.
International (non-EEA) applicants are advised that they will need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they can be considered for an unconditional offer of study on this undergraduate integrated masters course.
Entry Clearance Officers (ECO) will ask to see your ATAS certificate as part of your visa application process.
UK immigration law does not allow universities to permit international students to study for an ATAS applicable course until the student has supplied the university with all the relevant ATAS certificate details for their application.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
Over the course of the MEng/BEng Chemical Engineering, you will study engineering, mathematics and chemistry principles; gain practical experience through laboratory work; and use world-class process simulation tools such as Aspen Suite and Ansys Fluent.
Combining theoretical study, practical experience and group projects, you’ll develop the essential skills demanded by employers in the chemical engineering and processing industries.
Throughout the course, there will be several industry experts who will lecture to you and who will share their expertise through special guest lectures. For example, staff from NEL (Engineering Consultancy) recently presented to students on the critical importance of correct measurements in science and engineering.
It is always possible to augment your studies and broaden your horizons by learning a new language and prepare for the best international opportunities.
Core chemical engineering subjects including process design, transport processes, engineering thermodynamics, separation processes, process safety, process control and project management are covered.
Optional Industry Placement
One year can be spent on paid placement as a supervised, junior chemical engineer in industry. Placements are obtained competitively and can be in any branch of the chemical/process industry in the UK or abroad. Previous placements have included GlaxoSmithKline, British Nuclear Fuels, Doosan Babcock, Diageo and Sellafield Ltd.
Study includes core and advanced topics in separation processes, chemical reactor design, thermal systems design and integration, process safety, process control and some economic aspects of the process industry. You will also undertake a chemical engineering design study.
Advanced studies into the sustainability and the integration of chemical plants and processes, plus the advanced understanding of heat transfer and fluid mechanics and their computational simulation.
You will also undertake a major research project.
This course also gives you the option of taking a language module, which can count towards your degree. These modules cover ten languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. View the language modules on offer.
You will engage with a range of complimentary and creative learning and teaching approaches throughout the BEng Chemical Engineering, including:
These are designed to help develop knowledge and understanding of key specialisms within Chemical Engineering in a changing global environment. But, they also to provide opportunities for you to reflect on your personal development in terms of confidence, employability skills and aim to help prepare you for a successful career in chemical/process industries.
The MEng/BEng Chemical Engineering degrees use a variety of assessment methods including both formative and summative assessment modes. This include formative assessment during tutorials, practical laboratory exercises and process simulation sessions as well as written exams, written reports, design exercises, oral presentations and essays.
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
Chemical engineers are involved in the design, operation and management of plants and processes resulting in products that influence our wellbeing and quality of life. The MEng/BEng Chemical Engineering prepare you for a long and rewarding career in the chemical and processing industries.
Graduates from Chemical Engineering have gained employment with a number of high-profile and sector-leading companies including:
Our graduates have secured roles in research, design, development, manufacturing and production.
The BEng (Hons) course partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the IChemE. This course prepares you for further study on an accredited master's degree which will allow you to apply for Chartered Engineer status.
Successful completion of BEng (Hons) would allow progression to postgraduate study on one of the University’s Postgraduate Diploma or MSc programmes.
It is anticipated that when accredited, the MEng (Hons) will fully satisfy the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the IChemE.
If you successful complete MEng (Hons) you could progress to PhD study.
Graduate study at other universities is possible and some of our graduates have even progressed to undertake a teaching qualification.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£18,000 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£3,000 per module (20 credits)
£1,820 per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£18,000 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£3,000 per module (20 credits)
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASThere's Still Time to Apply for September 2025!
Clearing opens on Saturday 5 July, but you don’t have to wait — many of our courses are still accepting applications right now. Complete our late application enquiry form and our team will be in touch to guide you through the process.
The deadline to submit via UCAS is Monday 30 June at 18:00 (UK time)
Enquire now for September 2025 entry
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Our friendly admissions teams are here to help!
UK based prospective students
If you’re applying from within the UK, our applicant enquiry team is here to guide you every step of the way.
International prospective students
Our international team is ready to support you with your application and any questions about joining UWS from abroad.
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.