This course equips graduates with core scientific and engineering knowledge, practical laboratory skills, teamworking, problem solving and other transferable skills needed to pursue careers as professional chemical engineers, as well as a diverse range of other career options. Year one The Department teaches a common first year across chemical engineering and environmental engineering courses. The transition between school/college and university is very carefully managed, with extensive staff support and formative feedback mechanisms. Year one takes students with backgrounds in science and maths and introduces the fundamental engineering sciences including heat and mass transfer and fluid mechanics. Safety and environmental aspects are also covered, as are the development of professional skills. The material is taught using a wide variety of methods from problem-based learning to tutorials and laboratory classes. At the end of year one you can elect to transfer to any of the courses offered by the Department. Year two The focus of year two is to develop the fundamental engineering sciences into the key processes and operations that are common within chemical engineering, such as reaction engineering, separations, plant design and computer systems. Laboratory work is a major component of year two and the exposure to industry and cutting-edge research also increases. Safety and environmental aspects are an important part of year two, which also sees students becoming more independent in their approach to learning. At the end of year two or year three you will spend a year working in industry. You will gain first hand experience of the exciting challenges that are faced by chemical engineers, and will significantly enhance your technical engineering skills. The placements are fully paid, and companies visit the University from September to March to recruit students for industrial placements. Year three In year three we develop the practical application of the knowledge and skills that have been gained in years one and two. Laboratory exercises are more open-ended, using large-scale and industrial equipment. Project management, business and finance are covered and there is a significant amount of input from industry. You can choose between a number of optional modules in year three, allowing them to specialise in a particular area according to your career choice. Year-three students undertake a group design project, which simulates a commercial environment where companies tender for a design contract. Projects are industry driven and allow you to develop and demonstrate the skills and competencies necessary to be professional chemical engineers. Year four Year four allows you to develop specialist expertise, with many module options available. You will be completely independent in your learning and will be able to tackle a wide variety of complex, multidisciplinary problems and more advanced chemical engineering concepts. A research and development project is undertaken, giving you first-hand experience in cutting-edge research and the opportunity to develop the more advanced skills that set masters-level students apart from other graduates.

You will have developed your knowledge of science and engineering, together with a wide range of transferable skills including IT, communication, analysis, problem solving, teamworking and management. You will be highly sought-after by companies worldwide to work in areas such as process and product design, management and consultancy. Average starting salary and career progression In 2014, 94% of first-degree graduates in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering who were available for employment had secured work or further study within six months of graduation. The average starting salary was £26,468 with the highest being £40,000.