Chemical Engineering
  • Undergraduate
  • MEng

Chemical Engineering

Apply scientific, engineering and business principles to a variety of complex practical issues in this accredited Master's degree.

  • Undergraduate
  • MEng

Chemical Engineering with a Year Abroad

Apply scientific, engineering and business principles to a variety of complex practical issues in this accredited Master's degree.

Understand how engineers improve chemical process industry and beyond

Tailor your course to suit your interests through specialist modules

Explore the design of a chemical plant and build your understanding of industry practice

How would you like to study?

Study option:

Showing course information for 2024 View 2025 course information

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MEng

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Start date

    October 2024

  • UCAS course code

    H801

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £9,250 Home

    • £40,940 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

  • Applications: places

    5 : 1 (2022)

Minimum entry standard

  • A*A*A (A-level)

  • 40 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements
  • Qualification

    • MEng

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Start date

    October 2024

  • UCAS course code

    Apply to H801

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £9,250 Home

    • £40,940 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

  • Applications: places

    5 : 1 (2022)

Minimum entry standard

  • A*A*A (A-level)

  • 40 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements

Study option:

Course overview

Discover how chemical engineers bring about innovation and improvements in process industries on this professionally accredited course.

You'll apply scientific, engineering and business principles to a variety of complex practical issues as you analyse a range of engineering problems.

This course will help you develop a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of science, mathematics and engineering.

Through this work, you'll build sound practical expertise and engineering judgement and understand the ‘mastery’ concept.

You'll also have the opportunity to tailor the study programme towards your interests through a range of specialist modules as the course progresses.

Environmental effects of chemical operations are highlighted throughout the course, and you'll examine successful control and mitigation methods and key aspects of safety engineering.

Your study reaches Master's level in the fourth year, where your studies will culminate in a substantial research project.

This work will see you investigate all aspects of the design of a chemical plant.

Your projects throughout the course will see you develop your skills in cutting-edge laboratories available at Imperial, including the state-of-the-art Carbon Capture Pilot Plant.

Discover how chemical engineers bring about innovation in process industries on this professionally accredited course, which incorporates a year abroad.

You'll apply scientific, engineering and business principles to a variety of complex practical issues as you analyse a range of engineering problems.

This course will help you develop a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of science, mathematics and engineering.

Through this work, you'll build sound practical expertise and engineering judgement and understand the ‘mastery’ concept.

You'll also have the opportunity to tailor the study programme towards your interests through a range of specialist modules as the course progresses.

Environmental effects of chemical operations are highlighted throughout the course, and you'll examine successful control and mitigation methods and key aspects of safety engineering.

You'll spend your third year at one of our partner universities on an integrated year abroad, with the grades you achieve counting directly towards your Imperial degree.

Your study reaches Master's level in the fourth year, where your studies will culminate in a substantial research project. This work will see you investigate all aspects of the design of a chemical plant.

Your projects throughout the course will see you develop your skills in cutting-edge laboratories available at Imperial, including the state-of-the-art Carbon Capture Pilot Plant.

Study option:

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

You’ll study the following core modules.

Core modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

Core modules

You’ll study the following core modules during your third year.  

You’ll also choose one optional module.

Across your final two years, you must choose at least two optional modules from Group A and two from Group B.

Core modules

Optional modules - Group A

Optional modules - Group B

You’ll study one core module and choose six optional modules. 

Across your final two years, you must choose at least two optional modules from Group A and two from Group B.

Core modules

Optional modules - Group A

Optional modules - Group B

You’ll study the following core modules.

Core modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

Core modules

The third year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either Australia, Germany, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland or the USA.

This is an integrated year abroad so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperial degree.

 

We currently have exchange agreements with:

  • University of Melbourne, Australia
  • University of Queensland, Australia
  • University of Sydney, Australia
  • RWTH Aachen, Germany
  • National University of Singapore, Singapore
  • IQS, Ramon Llull University, Spain
  • EPF Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Carnegie Melon University, USA
  • MIT, USA
  • University of California, USA

You will need to take an I-Explore equivalent module while studying abroad. These modules allow you to study a range of subjects, including those outside of your degree area.

 

You’ll study one core module and choose six optional modules (two from Group A, and four from Group B).

Core modules

Optional modules - Group A

Optional modules - Group B

Professional accreditation

This degree is professionally accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

With a professionally accredited degree, you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. Professional accreditation also provides international recognition of your qualifications, which you can use to launch a career abroad.

With this integrated Master’s degree, you’ll fully meet the educational requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Becoming a Chartered Engineer can further enhance your career prospects and earning potential. It demonstrates your competencies and commitment to lifelong learning – providing you with recognition in your field and greater influence and opportunities.

You can learn more about becoming a Chartered Chemical Engineer on IChemE's Get Chartered website.

The department went through a successful accreditation process during the 2019-20 academic year, with accreditation renewed for a further five years.

Associateship

In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.

Study option:

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Lectures and tutorials
  • Independent study
  • Team activities (final design project)

Years 1-3

  • 25% Lectures and tutorials
  • 75% Independent study
  • 0% Team activities (final design project)

Year 4

  • 10% Lectures and tutorials
  • 75% Independent study
  • 15% Team activities (final design project)

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures and guest lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • Laboratory and project work
  • Presentations

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Coursework
  • Practical
  • Examination

Year 1

  • 20% Coursework
  • 10% Practical
  • 70% Examination

Year 2

  • 30% Coursework
  • 8% Practical
  • 62% Examination

Year 3

  • 40% Coursework
  • 5% Practical
  • 55% Examination

Year 4

  • 45% Coursework
  • 5% Practical
  • 50% Examination

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Examinations
  • Project work
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • In-class tests
  • Laboratory experiments
  • Papers from a written report
    Individual and group reports
  • Person making a presentation
    Presentations

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Lectures and tutorials
  • Independent study
  • Team activities (final design project)

Years 1-3

  • 25% Lectures and tutorials
  • 75% Independent study
  • 0% Team activities (final design project)

Year 4

  • 10% Lectures and tutorials
  • 75% Independent study
  • 15% Team activities (final design project)

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures and guest lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • Laboratory and project work
  • Presentations

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Coursework
  • Practical
  • Examination

Year 1

  • 20% Coursework
  • 10% Practical
  • 70% Examination

Year 2

  • 30% Coursework
  • 8% Practical
  • 62% Examination

Year 3

  • 40% Coursework
  • 5% Practical
  • 55% Examination

Year 4

  • 45% Coursework
  • 5% Practical
  • 50% Examination

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Examinations
  • Project work
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • In-class tests
  • Laboratory experiments
  • Papers from a written report
    Individual and group reports
  • Person making a presentation
    Presentations

Study option:

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

Study option:

How to apply

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Tuition fees

Home fee

2024 entry

£9,250 per year

Year abroad

£1,385 for that year

Overseas fee

2024 entry

£40,940 per year

Year abroad

2024 entry

100% of the fee for that year

Your future career

Two cooling towers of chemical factory

Learn skills you can use for a career in process, energy, healthcare, or chemical plant design.

Lightbulb above a book

A wide range of industries will value your specialised knowledge.

Chemistry research on computer screen

Graduates have also progressed to research organisations, public utilities, and the IT industry.

Nuclear symbol

Other career options include nuclear laboratories, investment banking, and international oil companies.

Course data

Compare this course

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications