Overview
Top reasons to study with us
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Brand new state-of-the-art facilities
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Practical hands-on courses including lab-based sessions and project work
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Get real-world experience with our placement years
Chemical Engineers pioneer materials and technologies of the future; they design and develop the processes behind today’s most useful products. In studying at Master's-level, you will develop your knowledge in chemistry and engineering, along with management and leadership skills.
Our accredited Chemical Engineering programme recognises the broad field of the subject and as such starts with a common first year, which is shared among all our engineering subjects. This is in recognition that Chemical Engineers do not work in isolation and that modern engineering is just as much about effective teamwork and communication, as it is the underlying science.
You will explore core themes of design, materials, thermodynamics and heat transfer, along with appropriate mathematical study in the first year. Alongside these, you will develop your design, problem-solving, management and leadership skills.
Following the first year, where you will have developed a solid foundation of engineering knowledge and begun to explore a variety of different areas of the discipline, you will have the opportunity to consider and plan your academic progression. At this stage, you may choose to begin your Chemical Engineering study, or move onto any of our other specialist programmes.
Your second year will then be spent studying at a partner university in Europe, the United States of America or Australia. This year abroad allows you to broaden your horizons, grow as a person and adds a new insight and perspective on not only the discipline of engineering, but also on the methods and structure within higher education. The marks you gain during your international year will be converted to grades at Lancaster and will count towards your final degree classification.
On return to Lancaster in year three, you will join your specialist programme of study, taking modules in your specific discipline and continuing to develop your core skills as an engineer.
A key element of year three is the group design project, where you will be asked to solve an open-ended design project over the course of the year. The projects typically involve conceptual design, as well as evaluation of economic, safety, legislative and ethical standards of assessment. Alongside this, you will practise and develop project management, team-working and technical writing skills.
In the fourth year, you will develop Master's-level skills, knowledge and experience. You will undertake advanced topics and will cement your specialist chemical engineering knowledge through an individual project, which will have real, positive impact on businesses and society.
The degree is professionally accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) as meeting complete fulfilment of the educational requirements to become a Chartered Engineer, and is underpinned by the CDIO framework (Conceiving, Designing, Implementing and Operating). All of your teaching is delivered by world-class academics and shaped by their outstanding research output. You will gain hands-on experience with access to cutting-edge facilities and an array of high-quality equipment in our state-of-the-art Engineering Building.
Careers
Chemical engineering is an innovative and interdisciplinary subject area, combining techniques and processes used across the STEM field in order to evolve the world around us. Chemical engineers are therefore in high demand across a huge range of sectors – and our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in energy, oil and gas, manufacturing and much more. Some have even gone on to pursue further study and embark on a career within academia, working at the forefront of scientific research and discovery. The highly-transferable skills you will acquire will make you a desirable employee in many fields – even those beyond traditional engineering career destinations. Graduates from our Engineering degrees are well-paid too, with a median starting salary of £29,000 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).
Here are just some of the roles that our BEng and MEng Chemical Engineering students have progressed into upon graduating:
- Engineering Consultant – Ernst & Young
- Wind Analyst – SSE Renewables
- HDD Design Engineer – O’Connor Utilities Ltd
- Graduate Chemical Engineer – Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
- Submarine Engineer – Royal Navy
- Data Engineer – Cabinet Office
- Graduate Engineer – Engineering Analysis Services Specialists
- PhD Candidate – Lancaster University
- Project Engineer – Hydraulic Analysis Ltd
- Safety and Reliability Engineering Consultant – AFRY UK
- MPhil Advanced Chemical Engineering – University of Cambridge
- Operations and Management – Network Rail
- PhD Candidate – Newcastle University
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Entry Requirements
Grade Requirements
A Level AAA
Required Subjects A level Mathematics and a Physical Science: Chemistry, Physics or Biology
GCSE Minimum of four GCSEs at grade B or 5 with Mathematics at grade B or 6, and GCSE English Language at grade C or 4. GCSE Chemistry at grade B or 6 required with an A level in Physics or Biology.
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
Interviews Applicants may be interviewed before being made an offer.
Other Qualifications
International Baccalaureate 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including either:
- Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in a HL Physical Science
- Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in two SL Physical Sciences
- Mathematics SL grade 7 (Analysis and Approaches) plus HL grade 6 in a Physical Science
Acceptable physical science subjects include Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Other physical sciences at HL may be considered. GCSE Chemistry at grade B or 6 required with a HL in Physics or Biology.
BTEC Considered alongside A level Chemistry
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Course Structure
Detailed module information for this undergraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.
Fees and Funding
Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.
Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2024/25 are:
Home | International |
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£9,250 | £28,675 |
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Additional costs
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
Study abroad courses
In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. VISA or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.
Placement and industry year courses
In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.
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What is my fee status?
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
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Fees in subsequent years
Fees are set by the UK Government annually, and subsequent years' fees may be subject to increases. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and Bursaries
You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
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Engineering
- Chemical Engineering BEng Hons : H800
- Chemical Engineering MEng Hons : H811
- Chemical Engineering (Study Abroad) BEng Hons : H812
- Chemical Engineering with Placement Year BEng Hons : H814
- Chemical Engineering with Placement Year MEng Hons : H815
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng Hons : H607
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering MEng Hons : H606
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Study Abroad) BEng : H608
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Study Abroad) MEng Hons : H609
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Placement Year BEng : H610
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Placement Year MEng Hons : H611
- Engineering BEng Hons : H100
- Engineering MEng Hons : H102
- Engineering (Study Abroad) BEng Hons : H103
- Engineering (Study Abroad) MEng Hons : H104
- Engineering with Placement Year BEng Hons : H106
- Engineering with Placement Year MEng Hons : H105
- Mechanical Engineering BEng Hons : H300
- Mechanical Engineering MEng Hons : H303
- Mechanical Engineering (Study Abroad) BEng Hons : H305
- Mechanical Engineering (Study Abroad) MEng Hons : H306
- Mechanical Engineering with Placement Year BEng Hons : H307
- Mechanical Engineering with Placement Year MEng Hons : H308
- Mechatronic Engineering BEng Hons : HH63
- Mechatronic Engineering MEng Hons : HHH6
- Mechatronic Engineering (Study Abroad) BEng Hons : HH64
- Mechatronic Engineering (Study Abroad) MEng Hons : HHH7
- Mechatronic Engineering with Placement Year BEng Hons : HH65
- Mechatronic Engineering with Placement Year MEng Hons : HHH8
- Nuclear Engineering BEng Hons : H820
- Nuclear Engineering MEng Hons : H821
- Nuclear Engineering (Study Abroad) BEng Hons : H822
- Nuclear Engineering (Study Abroad) MEng Hons : H823
- Nuclear Engineering with Placement Year BEng Hons : H824
- Nuclear Engineering with Placement Year MEng Hons : H825
Important information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
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