BEng Chemical Engineering

Year 1

Your time will be divided between engineering, mathematics and chemistry. You study two or more branches of engineering in first semester, followed by the first in-depth study of chemical engineering.

Year 2

Your chemical engineering knowledge will broaden with the study of core chemical engineering subjects including Thermodynamics, Separation Processes, and Fluid Mechanics courses, supported by classes in mathematics.

A significant part of the year is taught through practical activities and you will visit nearby industrial plants.

Year 3

In Year 3 you will deepen your understanding of chemical engineering with classes including: Thermodynamics and Unit Operations; Heat, Mass and Momentum Transfer; Process Dynamics and Control; and Process Safety and Environmental Issues. You will also put your knowledge into practice in the laboratory.

At the end of Year 3, you will have the option of completing one more year for a BEng (Hons) or studying for a further two years for an MEng (Hons).

Year 4

In Year 4 there is a strong emphasis on design, with both individual and group projects. This is complemented by courses on Engineering Project Management and Reaction Engineering. Specialist study and innovative coursework will prepare you for your professional career.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2019/20)

Our facilities

Lectures take place in the George Square area during Year 1 and for all other years at the University's King's Buildings campus.

You will have access to the University's libraries and engineering and computing laboratories. Study materials are available online.

Study abroad

You will have opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 through the University's international exchange programmes, including the Erasmus programme.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, projects and group work. In your final years you will dedicate more time to private study and will receive individual supervision with projects.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through course work and examinations.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2019/20)

A Chemical Engineering degree opens the door to a fulfilling and varied career, with many exciting opportunities for employment in technical and management roles in a wide array of industries.

*(Revised 7 June to remove incorrect mention of industry experience.)

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAA - AABB by end of S5. If you haven’t achieved this by the end of S5 we may consider your application based on a strong performance in S6. A minimum of BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAA - ABB in one set of exams.
• IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 32 points with 555 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: AABB by end of S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 32 points with 555 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Higher: Mathematics at grade A and Chemistry. National 5: Physics at grade C.
• A Levels: Mathematics and Chemistry. GCSE: Physics or Double Award Science at grade C or 4.
• IB: HL: Chemistry and Mathematics (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only) . Diploma must include Physics at either HL or SL.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

For direct entry to second year the minimum requirements must be exceeded, including the following:

• SQA Advanced Highers: AA to include Mathematics and Chemistry plus Highers at AB in two other subjects.

• A Levels: A*AA in one set of exams, to include Mathematics and Chemistry, or AAA in one set of exams, to include Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Chemistry.

• IB: 38 points overall and award of IB Diploma with 666 at HL to include Chemistry and Mathematics (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only). Diploma must include Physics.

Other entry pathways

Entry to many degrees in Science & Engineering is possible via other qualifications (eg HNC/D, Access, SWAP).

• Science & Engineering applications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 Grade C

• SQA Standard Grade 3

• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A

• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C

• GCSE Grade C or 4

• Level 2 Certificate Grade C

• IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component

• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section

• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component

• PTE Academic: Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section

• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

(Revised 05/06/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for BEng Chemical Engineering

Additional costs

In Year 1, you will require Personal Protective Equipment for practical work. Prices start at £36.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Recruitment & Admissions Officer
• Email: ugenquiries@eng.ed.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 7352
• Web: Engineering website
• International enquiries