BEng Chemical Engineering
UCAS code: H800
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Engineering
College: Science and Engineering
Introducing BEng Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers transform raw materials into the materials and products that we rely on. From the fresh water we drink and the gas that powers our homes, to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, silicon chips, and even synthetic skin, chemical engineers develop, design and produce many of the products and materials that underpin or enhance our everyday lives.
Chemical engineers are innovators who can be found at the leading edge of new and emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, carbon capture, and renewable energy, and are adept at balancing economic considerations with safety and environmental requirements.
The wide-ranging nature of chemical engineering is reflected in the breadth of courses offered to our students as part of this programme. If you are interested in mathematics and chemistry, and want to solve real problems that affect all our lives, chemical engineering could be for you.
Work experience and internships
You are encouraged to undertake relevant work experience during your degree. We work closely with the Careers Service to advertise internship opportunities and arrange company presentations.
This can be recognised on your transcript through completion of an Edinburgh Award.
Accreditation
The BEng in Chemical Engineering is accredited as:
- Fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
- Partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
An accredited programme is needed to complete the educational base for CEng.
Year 1
Engineers are creative problem solvers, adept at working in professional, interdisciplinary teams to tackle society’s ever-more complex challenges.
In Engineering Principles you will experience a wide range of such challenges, developing essential engineering skills and gaining an understanding of the subject’s breadth and the role your chosen discipline plays.
In Engineering Design you will work as part of a team on an interdisciplinary engineering task – getting involved in design, and using your engineering judgement to evaluate your solution to a task.
These introductory courses will help you to develop the confidence, advanced thinking, team-working and problem-solving skills that you will later rely on as a professional engineer.
You will also study mathematics and chemistry topics that provide essential groundwork for more advanced engineering studies*.
*(Revised 3 June 2020 to give more specific Year 1 information.)
Year 2
In Year 2 you will specialise in core chemical engineering topics including:
- separation processes
- fluid mechanics
- chemistry and materials
- thermodynamics
- bioprocess engineering
- chemical engineering technology
These courses prepare you for further specialisation at honours level, covering technical concepts and where possible, giving you the opportunity to apply these in a practical situation.
You will study programming to develop your skills in computer control and simulation – essentials in the engineer’s toolkit. Engineering mathematics is also studied.
You will continue your professional development with a course on essential professional skills for engineers*.
*(Revised 3 June 2020 to give more specific Year 2 information.)
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
- 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), subject to you meeting the MEng progression requirements.
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
- Fluid Mechanics
- 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.
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.
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 a combination of coursework and exams.
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.
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.
Standard entry requirement
The standard entry requirement is:
- SQA Highers: AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (Revised 29/10/20 from AAAA - AABB by end of S5.)
- A Levels: AAA - ABB.
- IB: 34 points with 555 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. BBB must be 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: Highers: Mathematics at A and Chemistry at B. National 5s: Physics and English at C.
- A Levels: Mathematics and Chemistry at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4 and Physics or Double Award Science at C or 4.
- IB: HL: Mathematics (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only) and Chemistry at 5. SL: English and Physics at 5.
Find out more about entry requirements
International applicants
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
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.
For direct entry to second year the standard requirements must be exceeded, including the following:
- SQA Advanced Highers: AA to include Mathematics and Chemistry plus Highers at AB in two further 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 with 666 at HL to include Chemistry and Mathematics (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only) at 6.
Other entry pathways
Entry to many degrees in Science & Engineering is possible via other qualifications (eg HNC/D, Access, SWAP).
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 at C
- SQA Standard Grade at 3
- SQA Intermediate 1 at A
- SQA Intermediate 2 at C
- GCSE at C or 4
- Level 2 Certificate at C
- IB Standard Level at 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 (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
- 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 degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
*(Revised 27 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition.)
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 Discover Uni 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.
- Enquiry Management Team
- Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
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17 degrees in Engineering
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- Civil Engineering (BEng) H200
- Civil Engineering (MEng) H203
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- Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (BEng) HH36
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