Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons)

Overview

Ranked no.3 in London by the Complete University Guide 2024.

Our Chemical Engineering BEng degree is an innovative course that has been developed to equip you with a broad range of knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the chemical and biochemical industry. The course is internationally accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a new, modern laboratory with equipment and rigs for your experimental work. The latest industry standard engineering software packages are available for you to use in the purpose-built computer laboratories.

Our BEng chemical engineering course can be studied full-time over three years, or four years with a placement year. We encourage the placement year option because time spent in industry prepares you for the world of work and you’ll benefit from a year’s professional experience when you graduate. If you opt for the placement year, you could find yourself making a difference in the real world working in energy, pharmaceutical or consumer goods.

At the end of their final year, engineering and maths students are invited to showcase their project work at Brunel Engineers +, an event that both celebrates their achievements and gives them the chance to network with industry figures and employers. This video shows some of the projects exhibited at the 2024 Brunel Engineers + event, with explanations by the students themselves.

National salary surveys consistently place chemical engineers at the top of the engineering pay scales, meaning you will be studying for a lucrative and successful career with our degree.

"Joining the chemical engineering department has helped me grow academically and professionally as I’ve been allowed to work at the Uni doing a summer internship." - Emilie Diaz
" I have been able to take on a selection of roles within my department allowing me to network with others doing my degree or similar research and development projects." - Pranay Hirani
"Joining the chemical engineering department has helped me grow academically and professionally as I’ve been allowed to work at the Uni doing a summer internship." - Emilie Diaz
" I have been able to take on a selection of roles within my department allowing me to network with others doing my degree or similar research and development projects." - Pranay Hirani

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Course content

Course delivery is a well-balanced mix of theory and practical sessions. In your first two years, you will gain solid knowledge and understanding of key areas in chemical engineering. You’ll also be introduced to process plant operation, control and safety through the Chemical Engineer’s Toolbox module. In your final year, you move on to modern topics such as big data analytics and you will work on your major design project.

Year 1

Compulsory

Engineering Mathematics and Programming I
Aims: To develop students’ ability to understand and apply fundamental methods of engineering mathematics; to introduce the use of programming in engineering, and develop students’ ability to represent and solve problems algorithmically.
Engineering Mathematics and Programming II
Aims: To develop students’ ability to understand and apply fundamental methods of engineering mathematics; to introduce the use of programming in engineering, and develop students’ ability to represent and solve problems algorithmically.
Engineering Practice
Aims: to develop the skills required by students studying in all engineering disciplines, thereby supporting their journey through higher education and into their professional life with the intention of maximising their employability.

Skills development in the following areas will be addressed: problem solving; personal development; professional development; career planning; basic engineering design; introductory project management; communication; working in inclusive teams; health and safety and security.
Engineering Systems and Energy 1
Aims: to provide a grounding in concepts of measurement and uncertainty; to provide knowledge about applied physics relations that govern engineering systems within their boundaries and via their variables of interaction and to establish the ability to define system boundaries and apply relevant, simple models.
Engineering Systems and Energy 2
Aims: To provide a grounding in concepts of measurement and uncertainty; to provide knowledge about applied physics relations that govern engineering systems within their boundaries and via their variables of interaction; to establish ability to define system boundaries and apply relevant simple models.
Engineering Mechanics - Statics
Aims: To provide a grounding in the fundamental principles of engineering mechanics; to provide knowledge and understanding of Newton’s laws and their application for the solution of static problems; to provide experience and confidence in problem-solving.
Engineering Mechanics and Materials
Aims: To provide a grounding in the fundamental principles of engineering mechanics, including statics and dynamics; to provide knowledge and understanding of the common and important material properties for various engineering applications; to provide experience and confidence in problem-solving.
Chemical Engineering Introduction
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the roles chemical engineers play both from an industrial perspective and in research in development. The module will cover the basic principles of chemical engineering aspects, processes and their applications. It will provide students with examples of successfully implemented industrial processes, processes under development, and open-ended challenges by incorporating principles of heat and mass balances, safety and sustainability, and finally process economics.

Year 2

Compulsory

Chemical Engineer’s Toolbox
The primary aim of this module is to prepare and arm our graduates with interpersonal skill sets, practical hands-on experience, and tools essential for a modern chemical engineer to approach, develop and solve day to day challenges attractive to employers. Topics include unit operations, process control, computer-aided simulation, and all aspects of process safety.
Engineering Computing and Statistics
The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and skills of applied mathematics and statistical concepts useful to solve engineering problems. This includes the ability to develop simple mathematical models that represent experimental data set, estimate relevant model parameters and assess model performance as well solving differential equations describing chemical engineering phenomena. Students will be introduced to relevant statistical software (e.g. R, Python).
Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
The aim of this module is to introduce the theory and applications of chemical-engineering thermodynamics including the fundamentals of phase equilibria, solution thermodynamics and chemical-reaction equilibria, various types of power generation systems and main thermodynamic cycles. The students will learn to interpret and apply theories in analysing equilibrium thermodynamic systems.
Chemical Reaction Engineering
The aim of this module is to introduce chemical and biochemical reaction engineering and basic (bio)reactor system design. It includes studying the principles of reaction kinetics and their optimisation, in order to define the best reactor design for homogeneous and heterogeneous processes. The application of fundamental theory will be demonstrated using traditional and modern industrial examples.
Fluids Mechanics
The main aim of this module is to present the various forms of transport phenomena and their mechanisms (momentum, heat and mass transfer) and to apply knowledge to typical chemical engineering problems.
Engineering Chemistry
This module aims to provide fundamental chemical science knowledge and deliver principles of scientific problem analysis and problem-solving skills through the integration of chemical concepts, materials processing, and analytical methodology
Heat and Mass Transfer
This module introduces the basic concepts and governing laws of heat and mass transfer.
Separation Processes I
The primary aim of this module is to introduce the unit operations of distillation absorption/desorption, humidification, adsorption and solvent extraction, based both on equilibrium stage design and on transfer rate limited operation deploying varying analytical and numerical methods. Rigorous calculation of binary and multicomponent system and back mixing will be taught. Concept of stage efficiency will be introduced to address real life scale up challenges for industrial applications.

Year 3

Compulsory

Process Design and Safety
The aim of this module is for students to enhance their understanding of various elements, assumptions and considerations involved in designing chemical processes and low carbon technologies. This advanced knowledge will enable them to create detailed designs, to analyse and to synthesise chemical processes and low carbon technologies including techno-economic, environmental and societal impacts. This will be further supported by learning process safety concepts and by applying appropriate techniques in safe process designs. The students will acquire and apply engineering management skills such as project management, reflective practices, critical thinking, decision-making and conflict resolution skills, while solving complex engineering problems.
Chemical Engineering Design Project
The aim of the design project is to allow students to take full responsibility for a major “individual” design exercise in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering which allows them to be innovative and creative while balancing technical risk versus profit with full economic evaluation. The complexity arising from the interaction and integration of the different parts of the process or system will be addressed. The major project will be undertaken by teams of students so contributing to the development of the students’ transferable skills including communication and team working.
Separation Processes II
The primary aim of this module is to meet the growing need of industry for graduates with high level knowledge and skills in materials processing and separation technology. The students will develop an understanding of the unit operations processes which incorporate adsorption and membrane technologies, such organic or ceramic systems, as alternatives to equilibrium stage traditional processes.
Process Design and Safety II
This module helps students to understand process synthesis through proper selection and integration, develop and evaluate reaction-operation-recycle flowsheet together with process design optimisation, process safety concepts and basics of design of experiment in quality engineering
Biochemical Engineering
The main aim of this module is to provide the students with knowledge and understanding of the grand challenges and key principles in energy, water and food sustainability. The students will be introduced to energy and economic policies as well as knowledge of technology aspects and skills needed to analyse energy systems. They will learn to use analytical methods to critically assess and compare energy systems with respect to sustainability issues.
Process Control
The main aim of this module is to teach graduates how to design and implement control systems for continuous chemical processes in modern chemical plants which are dynamic systems and therefore require automated control. Students will be introduced to key process variables (and how they change with time), control methods, control philosophy and examples of control systems for common unit operations, including combustion, compressors and distillation.
Big Data Analytics
The main aim of this module is to familiarise students with the key concepts in Big Data Analytics, enabling the students to identify appropriate advanced statistical methodologies to gain insights in process plant operations. Students will be exposed to the practical use of advanced statistical packages (e.g. R) to consolidate their understanding.

This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Careers and your future

Brunel’s pioneering chemical engineering courses have been designed in close collaboration with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) accreditation body to prepare you for an exciting and rewarding career in one of the fastest growing engineering disciplines.

UK entry requirements

2026/7 entry

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspiration of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

GCSEs

A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.

A-level

Standard Offer: GCE A-level ABB including Maths and one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environment Studies, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Mathematical Studies, Critical Thinking and General Studies not accepted).

Contextual Offer: GCE A-level BBB including Maths and one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environment Studies, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Mathematical Studies, Critical Thinking and General Studies not accepted).