Chemical UNDERGRADUATE BROCHURE 2014

Engineering
www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas

Engineering and Physical Sciences

The facts
Manchester was
the birthplace of
chemical engineering

Largest chemical Close industry links give

engineering school our graduates excellent
in the UK job prospects and
earning potential

Purpose-built building Flexible courses

with fantastic teaching with a common
and research facilities first year, allowing
you to switch
between specialisms
Manchester is the best
place to study chemical
engineering. Awesome
lecturers, modern labs,
and enquiry-based learning
and peer-assisted study
sessions help to mould
every potential chemical
engineer to the best he or
she can be in the future.”
Shobana Simon Manickam
MEng Chemical Engineering
with Industrial Experience

Contents

4 Introducing Manchester
6 Chemical Engineering
at Manchester
10 Course details
24 Career Prospects
26 Find out more online

Chemical Engineering 3
www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas
 Our University
Making things happen
Influential, forward-thinking and down-to-earth,
we’ll give you an amazing university
experience rooted in a rich academic heritage.
We turn enthusiasm into achievement and
groundbreaking theory into practice.
We accomplish feats of global significance, from
splitting the atom to giving the world graphene –
the two-dimensional wonder material that is one
atom thick but 200 times stronger than steel.
With more Nobel laureates on our staff than any
other UK university, and strong links to industry
and public services, we vitalise our undergraduate
courses with pioneering research.
Join us at the heart of Britain’s most popular
student city.
Learn more about us:
www.manchester.ac.uk

Introducing
Manchester
Our city
Always moving forward
Manchester lives on the edge of tomorrow,
ever a step ahead in science, industry, media,
sport and the arts. The Mancunian character,
exemplified by the city’s central role in the
industrial revolution, strives for excellence in
all walks of life.
This is a city of many accents, having become
a cosmopolitan magnet for students and
professionals eager to experience its can-do
attitude, independent spirit and cultural wealth.
Never content to live on past glories,
Manchester has a passion for progress.
Discover what makes Manchester unique:
www.manchester.ac.uk/cityofmanchester

4 Chemical Engineering
www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas
Your experience
More than just a degree
From the flexible, 24/7 learning environment
of the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons to
the personal development opportunities and
specialist support services we offer, we will
empower you to be your best.
We’re well underway with the biggest
investment programme ever seen in UK
higher education, having invested £750
million in our facilities since 2004, with
another £1 billion to follow. Away from your
studies you’ll have access to the UK’s largest
student union, almost 300 student societies,
and excellent sports and fitness facilities.
The only thing you won’t experience
is boredom.
Hear from some of our students,
graduates and staff:
www.manchester.ac.uk/ug/profiles

Your career
On a course to success
We are one of the UK’s most targeted
universities by employers – 92% of our
graduates go straight into employment
or further study.
We design our courses with your
employability in mind. Our problem-based
approach to learning inspires you to think
critically, creatively, and independently. You’ll
also be able to learn new skills through
volunteering, personal development
programmes and study abroad pathways.
We have the UK’s best careers service,
providing advice and mentoring services, and
connecting you with employers who’ll put
you on a path to career success.
Take control of your career:
www.manchester.ac.uk/careers

Chemical Engineering 5
Chemical Engineering
at Manchester
A chemical engineering degree from The
University of Manchester will give you great
choice in your future career and a significant
advantage when you start to look for a job.
As the birthplace of the discipline of chemical
engineering, we have a long tradition of
innovation and excellence. Here, George E Davis
delivered the first series of lectures on the
subject in 1887 and published the first-ever
chemical engineering book.
Our students consistently tell us that our School of Chemical
Engineering and Analytical Sciences is a very friendly place to
study. We have around 660 undergraduate students, plus a
thriving postgraduate community, all of whom benefit from
our distinguished reputation and our high standards of
teaching and research.

In the most recent teaching quality assessment by

the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Why Manchester?
we achieved an excellent 22 out of 24 – one of the
highest scores awarded in the country. In the most • Distinguished history in chemical
recent Research Assessment Exercise (2008), 85% engineering at the birthplace of the
of our research was described as ‘world-leading’ or subject as an academic discipline
‘internationally excellent’, with the remainder being
• Reputation as a world leader in
‘internationally recognised’, which puts Chemical
Engineering at Manchester at the forefront
industrially relevant research and
of research quality. teaching in chemical engineering and
related subjects
We have close links with industry and our
distinguished reputation means that our former • Range of prestigious scholarships, open
students are very well regarded. Our graduates are to all nationalities, that reflects the
the most sought after by employers in industry and popularity of our graduates with industry
business. The most recent National Signposts to
• A step towards a career in chemical
Employability Survey (Performance Indicator Project)
engineering – rated as the third highest
found that employers prefer to recruit our former
paid graduate job in a poll by The Times
students over any other engineering graduates
in the UK.
newspaper

Chemical Engineering 7
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 Chemical Engineering at Manchester

Study Resources and Facilities

New building
In November 2012, the School moved to a brand
new, £12 million teaching building. This building
I am from Seattle, USA. I decided to study
houses state-of-the-art computer clusters, an chemical engineering as I liked chemistry
undergraduate teaching laboratory, a bespoke at school, but it was too small a subject – I
enquiry-based-learning suite and a new pilot wanted to apply it to a wider context. I was
hall designed for chemical engineering in the looking for a place that didn’t just teach
21st century. theory – I liked the look of the pilot-scale
laboratory and wanted to get in there. Also,
Benefits of our pilot-industrial scale laboratory the lecturers on the course are people at
include: in-house industrial experience as part of the forefront of research.
the course; an enhanced understanding of theory;
practical experience of safety issues; practical insight Daniel Lipin, student
into start-up and shutdown principles; and MEng Chemical Engineering with
experience of writing technical reports. Industrial Experience
We also have several smaller-scale laboratories,
where you learn how to plan and undertake
experiments, evaluate and operate laboratory
equipment, appreciate the safety requirements,
and analyse experimental data using graphical and
statistical methods.

I am from Singapore and came to

Manchester because it has an excellent
reputation. I am enjoying the course and
the way lectures are conducted. I
particularly like the way that the whole
teaching environment is much more
informal than at home. All the lecturers
have been very helpful and friendly.
Abigail Ee, student
BEng Chemical Engineering

8 Chemical Engineering
Undergraduate brochure 2014
 Course details

IT
You will have access to computer clusters across
the campus and in halls of residence, as well as
more than 180 computers in our School dedicated
to Chemical Engineering students.
Library
You will use our University Library, one of the largest
academic libraries in Britain, with more than four
million books and journals. This includes general
and specialist materials, as well as a variety of
electronic resources.
Scholarships and bursaries
A range of scholarships and bursaries are available for
students who choose to study chemical engineering
at The University of Manchester.
Several industrial scholarships are available once you
have started the course.
Further details are available on request from our
admissions team.
For international students, our School will award
up to ten Morton Scholarships for International
Excellence, worth up to £4,000 (£1,000 per year
of the course), for those international students
who demonstrate overall academic excellence.
The University’s Faculty of Engineering and Physical
Sciences also offers scholarships of £2,000 per year
for well-qualified international undergraduate
students. For details of eligibility, see:
www.manchester.ac.uk/eps/undergraduate/
faculty-scholarships

Chemical Engineering 9
www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas
Course details
Chemical Engineering BEng 3yrs Chemical Engineering with Environmental
UCAS Code H800 Technology MEng 4yrs
UCAS Code H8F8
Chemical Engineering MEng 4yrs
Chemical Engineering (Business
UCAS Code H801 Management) MEng 4yrs
Chemical Engineering with UCAS Code HN82
Biotechnology MEng 4yrs Chemical Engineering (Energy and
UCAS Code H8C5 Environment) MEng 4yrs
Chemical Engineering with Industrial UCAS Code H8F4
Experience MEng 4yrs
UCAS Code H803
Entry requirements Chemical Engineering with Chemistry
GCSE or equivalent MEngn 4yrs
C English Language UCAS Code H8F1
GCE A-level / unit grades
AAA including Maths and a science subject Entry requirements
GCE AS-level acceptability GCSE or equivalent
Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or C English Language
Advanced Highers GCE A-level / unit grades
GCE A-level double award AAA Including Maths and Chemistry
The double award is welcomed; applicants should GCE AS-level acceptability
contact us for further information Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or
GCE AS-level double award acceptability Advanced Highers
Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or GCE A-level double award
Advanced Highers The double award is welcomed; applicants should
BTEC National Diploma contact us for further information
DDD any technical subject, providing Maths and GCE AS-level double award acceptability
Science modules at Level III are included Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or
Welsh Baccalaureate (inc A-levels) Advanced Highers
Pass and AA including Maths and a science subject BTEC National Diploma
Scottish Advanced Highers DDD any technical subject, providing Maths and
AAA including Maths and a science subject Chemistry modules at Level III are included

Scottish Highers Welsh Baccalaureate (inc A-levels)

Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or Pass and AA including Maths and Chemistry
Advanced Highers Scottish Advanced Highers
Irish Leaving Certificate AAA including Maths and Chemistry
AAAAB including Maths and a science subject Scottish Highers
International Baccalaureate Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or
37 points with at least 18 points at Higher Level Advanced Highers
including grade 6 or above in HL Maths and a Irish Leaving Certificate
science subject AAAAB including Maths and Chemistry
English language requirement International Baccalaureate
IELTS 6, TOEFL 540, internet-based TOEFL 80 37 points with at least 18 points at Higher Level,
(minimum of 20 in each component), including grade 6 or above in HL Maths and Chemistry
computer-based TOEFL 207 English language requirement
Other subjects IELTS 6, TOEFL 540, internet-based TOEFL 80
General Studies and Key Skills welcomed, but will (minimum of 20 in each component), computerbased
NOT form part of the standard offer TOEFL 207
Other subjects
General Studies and Key Skills welcomed, but will
NOT form part of the standard offer

Chemical Engineering 11
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 Chemical Egineering

Chemical Engineering Scottish Highers

with Study in Europe MEng 4yrs Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or
Advanced Highers
UCAS Code H810
Irish Leaving Certificate
Entry requirements AAAAB including Maths, a science subject and the
GCSE or equivalent language to be studied (German, French or Spanish)
C English Language International Baccalaureate
GCE A-level / unit grades 37 points with at least 18 points at Higher Level,
AAA. This should include Maths, a science subject including grade 6 or above in HL Maths, a science
and the language to be studied (German, French, subject and the language to be studied abroad
or Spanish) (German, French, or Spanish)

GCE AS-level acceptability English language requirement

Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or IELTS 6, TOEFL 540, internet-based TOEFL 80
Advanced Highers (minimum of 20 in each component),
computer-based TOEFL 207
GCE A-level double award
The double award is welcomed; applicants should Other subjects
contact us for further information General Studies and Key Skills welcomed, but will
NOT form part of the standard offer
GCE AS-level double award acceptability
Acceptable only in combination with A-levels or
Advanced Highers
BTEC National Diploma (A-Level grade B
equivalent in German, French, Spanish)
DDD any technical subject, providing Maths and
Science modules at Level III are included
Welsh Baccalaureate (inc A-levels)
(A-Level grade B equivalent in German,
French, Spanish) Pass and AA including Maths
and a science subject
Scottish Advanced Highers
AAA including Maths, a science subject and the
language to be studied (German, French, or Spanish)

12 Chemical Engineering
Undergraduate brochure 2014
 Course details

What is Chemical Engineering At Manchester, business, safety and environmental

issues are also studied in some depth. You learn skills
Chemical engineering is sometimes called ‘process’ or
that will be of great use to you in your future career, such
‘manufacturing’ engineering. It concerns the science,
as team-working, problem-solving, communication
technology and management involved in making the
and the use of information technology.
materials and products society needs. These include
substances such as oils, acids and solvents, used to How does chemical engineering
create everyday essentials like plastics, drugs, fuels compare to chemistry?
and foodstuffs. Without chemical engineers, we
wouldn’t have chocolate, beer, painkillers, antibiotics, Chemists design chemical reaction routes to produce
paper, ink, detergents, petrol, paint, toothpaste, or desirable products or processes, working on a
plastic bags. molecular level. Chemical engineers then find ways
to put these into practice in a cost-effective and safe
Chemical engineers are widely employed by major way on an industrial scale, using real equipment
manufacturing companies and are among the highest to move, mix, react, heat up, cool down and
paid of the engineering fields. They generally work separate materials.
in industry, generating profit for companies by
adding value to raw materials in a safe and How does this relate to subjects
cost-effective way. studied at school?

Their job can focus on any part of the process. In Physics and Mathematics courses at school you will
Examples include: have learned basic heat-transfer (eg, conduction,
convection and radiation) and calculations of motion
• Designing and selecting equipment and momentum. From Chemistry classes you have
probably carried out process operations – such as
• Solving process problems
distillation and filtration – on a small scale, and you
• Carrying out financial calculations may have studied the gas laws and factors
influencing chemical reaction rates. These are some
• Designing procedures to ensure safety and of the issues that chemical engineers study in depth.
minimise environmental impact
For more information about chemical engineering,
• Managing a team of operators see the Institution of Chemical Engineers website:
• Researching new products. www.whynotchemeng.com

Engineering operations include everything from

extracting raw materials to generating energy; from
manufacturing intermediate materials and producing
finished goods to disposing of waste.
What will I learn?
The technical aspects of chemical engineering revolve
around managing the behaviour of materials and
chemical reactions. This means predicting and
manipulating compositions, flows, temperatures and
pressures of solids, liquids and gases.
You will discover how to understand chemical,
physical and biological processes using mathematical
equations, as well as, on the more practical side,
learning about the equipment and techniques used
by industry for large-scale manufacturing.

Chemical Engineering 13
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 Chemical Egineering

Studying the BEng Chemical Engineering course at The University of Manchester has been
most enriching and enjoyable. The skills and experience gained from the course have formed a
solid foundation to my future career. I really enjoyed the problem-based learning aspect of the
course, as it provided me with many opportunities to solve complex engineering problems
individually and as a team. I also benefited from the PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions)
programme, both as a participant and as a leader. The teaching and supporting staff were
always very supportive, approachable and willing to help.
“Well known and internationally recognised, the School of Chemical Engineering and
Analytical Science has excellent links with industry. I was privileged to have an internship with
Foster Wheeler during my second-year summer holidays. The practical experience and
exposure has proved to be invaluable.
“Manchester is no doubt an excellent city to live in, having all the buzz of a city, yet it enchants
with its warmth and charm. With its vibrant and diverse student population, there are huge
opportunities to network and to forge friendships with students from different cultures and
backgrounds. I have made many friends from all over the world!
“I graduated in July 2009 and I am now studying an MSc in Petroleum Engineering. Looking
back over the past years at Manchester, I would recommend any student to study Chemical
Engineering at The University of Manchester. The doors of opportunities as a professional
engineer are wide; so come, learn and enjoy!

Ei Sheen Lau, graduate

BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering

Career opportunities In other words, you could do anything from working

out how to manufacture life-saving vaccines, to
Our graduates are in great demand for all kinds of
creating a revolutionary new type of ice-cream, to
jobs – and not just in the chemical engineering sector.
managing a project for the treatment of wastewater.
This is because we encourage you to develop skills
during your course that are valued by employers from Information technology is also very important. You
a diverse range of industries; these include verbal and could be using sophisticated computer-aided design
written communication skills, problem-solving ability, (CAD) and virtual reality software to simulate what
numeracy, business awareness and group-working. will happen, for example, when you design a process
to manufacture a product such as toothpaste.
Jobs in the chemical engineering sector
The types of jobs within these sectors are varied and
Chemical engineering jobs exist in all kinds of
include: design of products; research and
industries: food and drink; pharmaceuticals; energy;
development; construction and installation of
oil and gas; water; chemicals; materials such as
industrial plant; manufacturing and production;
plastics, metals and ceramics; and products such as
project management; sales and marketing; finance;
toiletries, fertilisers and detergents. They are also
policy-making; and management. Many chemical
involved in assessing health, safety and
engineering graduates reach senior managerial
environmental issues.
positions and it‘s not unusual to find them on the
boards of large multinational companies.

14 Chemical Engineering
Undergraduate brochure 2014
 Course details

Jobs outside the chemical How much will I earn?

engineering sector
The 2010 Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
Chemical engineering graduates have easily Salary Survey revealed that the average starting salary
transferable skills and the ability to take an overview for a chemical engineer is £29,500 a year (£31,300
of a situation. For this reason, they are in demand in for those working in the oil sector). The average
the areas of management, finance, accountancy, wage for chemical engineers aged 25 to 29 is
marketing, banking, information technology, £38,600 a year, rising to £62,500 for those in their
computing and consultancy. late 30s. Chemical engineers in their late 40s earn on
average £82,600 a year and £86,800 in their 50s. For
Employment worldwide those aged between 60 to 65,who have typically
There are many opportunities for chemical engineers risen to very senior positions, the average salary is
around the world. You could be located in Africa, £87,800 a year.
working on providing basic facilities for communities; For more information and sector specific data, you
or in the USA, contributing to the design and can find the IChemE salary calculator on the IChemE
manufacture of advanced materials for spacecraft. website: www.icheme.org
Wherever you are based, there will be opportunities
for travel as part of the job.

The environment plays a crucial role in the day-to-day lives of everyone across the globe –and
humankind continues to adversely affect all aspects of it. This ranges from water pollution all
the way to climate change. As chemical engineers, we have a real opportunity to make a
difference across industries and work towards overcoming these environmental challenges. I
chose to study Chemical Engineering with Environmental Technology to gain the knowledge
and insight so I could do just this.
“The course consisted of various course units that explored many different aspects of
environmental technologies, such as green solvents, law and regulations, aerial emissions and
aqueous systems. The units explored the history, philosophy and application of each
technology, which provided me with excellent background knowledge. I also learnt new skills,
such as dispersion modelling and life cycle assessments, and had the opportunity to really
engage with specialists during group discussions.
“One of the most amazing aspects of the course is how incredibly relevant I still find it. Thanks
to the knowledge I acquired and the skills I developed, I was successful in applying for a job
with an environmental engineering consultancy. I now find that barely a day goes by without
me using not only core chemical engineering skills, like mass and energy balances, but also
some of the things I learnt in environmental technologies. I often have to advise clients of
different technologies and understand the laws and regulation surrounding them. Even just
knowing basic background details is a real boost and it helps me to navigate around my
projects much more easily.
“I think it is fair to say that without studying Chemical Engineering with Environmental
Technology, I wouldn’t have the job that I enjoy so much today.”

Robert Swales, graduate

BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering 15
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 Chemical Egineering

All our Chemical Engineering Courses If you gain an accredited BEng (Hons) rather than
MEng (Hons) degree, you will have to provide
We offer nine undergraduate courses. In our flexible
evidence of further learning after graduation before
system, you have until the start of your second year
you can achieve IChemE chartered status. This further
to decide in which area you would like to specialise.
study could be achieved during your career through
This means that you don’t need to choose your
work-based learning, a masters qualification (MSc),
specialist area until you have had a chance to find
or a chemical engineering PhD.
out more.
All courses have professional recognition and are Core chemical engineering topics
accredited by IChemE.
Year 1
You will study a range of core topics, incorporating:
Course units cover topics including physical
• Fundamentals of chemical engineering and organic chemistry, engineering maths,
thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics
• Supporting maths and science and information technology. Case studies, project
• Process design, including a design project work and laboratories develop additional material
in each year on process design and economics, reaction
engineering and environmental issues.
• Laboratory work throughout the course, including
some in the pilot-scale laboratory Year 2

• Information technology, including the use Course units cover topics including design of
of computers both as office tools and for separation processes, reaction engineering,
computer-aided design. materials science, biochemistry, engineering maths,
environmental science and technology. Case studies,
project work and laboratories develop additional
IChemE accreditation
material on process modelling, multiphase
All our chemical engineering courses have processing, process control and
professional recognition and are accredited by biochemical engineering.
IChemE. This means that after gaining appropriate
industrial experience, graduates may apply for Year 3
corporate membership and gain professional Course units cover topics including polymers,
recognition as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). biotechnology, fine chemicals, risk analysis, advanced
Chartered status is a benchmark of professionalism reaction engineering, process dynamics and control.
that many chemical, biochemical and process Case studies, project work and laboratories develop
engineers aspire to. Engineers with chartered status additional material, including process synthesis,
earn, on average, £15,000 more per year than their design and economics, process safety and
non-chartered colleagues. sustainable development.

Achieving chartered status typically requires four Specialist subjects

years’ experience employed in a relevant post, which On the MEng courses, you can choose to study
can include time worked on industrial placements a specialist subject in greater depth. Specialist
undertaken while at university. themes are: advanced chemical engineering science,
How can I gain chartered engineer status? business management, environmental technology,
biotechnology, chemistry, or a language (French,
MEng courses take one year longer than the BEng German, or Spanish), including studying at a
to complete, which gives you the opportunity to university in Europe (explained in more detail later
study a specialist subject in more depth. An MEng in this brochure).
qualification from Manchester will also help you to
gain CEng status. You also have the option of gaining experience in
industry for one year.

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Undergraduate brochure 2014
 Course details

I recently graduated from The University of Manchester with a First Class MEng in Chemical
Engineering. The experience and skills I gained during the four years allowed me to achieve
great results and obtain an excellent graduate job.
“Following the straight MEng course allowed me to focus on academic work during the
university year and manufacturing internships in the summer holidays. This way I obtained
relevant industrial experience without sacrificing the extra technical detail (and fun!) obtained
from four years of full-time study. It also allowed me to undertake an individual research
project in my fourth year, rather than write a dissertation based on an industrial placement.
This project provided me with the skills to conduct independent research and manage my
time effectively.
“I currently work as a Supply Leader at Procter & Gamble (the world’s largest consumer goods
company, which owns brands such as Pringles, Pantene, Bold, Duracell and Gillette). Although
I do not regularly use the extensive technical knowledge I gained during my course as other
graduate process engineers might do, I apply many other skills that I developed while studying
the straight MEng course.
“For example, the ability to understand a problem, locate the root cause and develop a
solution is integral to every graduate job and is developed and reinforced throughout the
four-year degree. The ability to lead and work in a team of people with different styles of
thinking, from very different backgrounds, is very important in multinational corporations.
The second- and third-year design and laboratory projects and fourth-year group work
undertaken on the straight MEng course helped me to develop this ability and apply it
successfully to the workplace.
“I would thoroughly recommend the four-year straight MEng course. The wide range of
experiences allows each student to determine what they enjoy, are good at and want to
pursue as a career.
Alex Matten, graduate
MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering

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 Chemical Egineering

During the first two years of my course, I studied French alongside the core Chemical
Engineering course; this led on to me studying my third year abroad in Toulouse, where I
studied Process Engineering.
“While in Toulouse, I took lectures and tutorials in French, as well as laboratory projects. At the
end of the year I was also given the opportunity to spend six weeks working with some of the
postgraduates at the school, helping with their research projects.
“Doing the Study in Europe course enabled me to continue to study a language that I had
enjoyed doing at A-level and to improve my ability to a point where I would be confident in
being able to use what I have learnt in a professional setting. The year abroad also gave me an
idea of how a different education system works; it meant that I got to know and work with
people from France and all around the world. I found living abroad, at times, challenging, but
this has now given me more confidence.
“I hope that in the future I will be able to travel further. I hope to be able to find a job that allows
me to work around Europe, or even further afield. Often foreign languages are asked for in job
advertisements, so I hope this will help me to find employment.
“Finally, and possibly most importantly, the year abroad was a great opportunity to enjoy
spending a year meeting loads of people from around the world and to enjoy the sunshine of
southern France!
Kevin Eade, graduate
MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Study in Europe

BEng Chemical Engineering (3YRS)

If you want the option of completing your course in
just three years, then this course, leading to the
award of BEng (Hons), may be for you. It includes all
the core course units, as well as developing skills such
as problem-solving, communication and working in
teams. All the chemical engineering subjects that
employers will be looking for are covered.

18 Chemical Engineering
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 Course details

MEng Chemical Engineering (4YRS) MEng Chemical Engineering with

This Honours course enables you to gain a deeper Environmental Technology (4YRS)
understanding of advanced chemical engineering Four-year MEng (Hons) chemical engineers can make
science. This is for you if you want to become an a real difference to the environment by reducing
expert in pure chemical engineering and learn about pollution, minimising waste, creating more efficient
the subject in more detail. manufacturing processes and using clean technology.
You study the specialist course units in the third and The preservation and improvement of our
fourth years, alongside the core chemical engineering environment is becoming increasingly important.
subjects. You undertake a detailed research project in
your fourth year. Chemical engineers solve pollution problems and
develop industrial processes that are less harmful
Specialist subject areas: to the environment. Specialists in environmental
technology can find employment in industry,
Interface and colloid science, biochemical engineering,
in the regulatory authorities and, increasingly,
adsorption and ion exchange, advanced mathematical
as consultants.
methods and computer aided process design.
You can decide to make environmental technology
MEng Chemical Engineering with your specialist subject by choosing to study the
Business Management (4YRS) introductory course unit in your second year. You
then study the specialist units in the third and fourth
Chemical engineers can play many roles in industry years alongside core chemical engineering. You
and, if you want to be in a position to make things undertake a detailed research project in your
happen, you may move into management. A high fourth year.
proportion of our graduates have successful
management careers. Many senior managers were Specialist subject areas:
initially trained as chemical engineers.
Sustainable industry and development, waste water
This is the first course of its kind in the UK and treatment, distributed and renewable energy systems,
will improve the career prospects of graduates within greenhouse gas and combustion emissions and
the chemical engineering sector. It can also enhance energy generation systems.
your opportunities to follow other career paths in
areas such as finance, consulting, marketing
and accountancy.
You can decide to make business management
your specialist subject by choosing to study the I enjoyed Physics, Chemistry and
introductory course unit in your second year. You
Mathematics at school and decided
then study the specialist units in the third and fourth
that I wanted to do something with the
years, alongside core chemical engineering. You
undertake a detailed research project in your
applications of these subjects, rather
fourth year. than just the theory. The course is a good
balance between theoretical and hands-on
Specialist subject areas: experience. I enjoy the laboratories and
design projects and my fourth-year
Tools and techniques for enterprise, managing
research project will also be
projects, marketing, advanced technology enterprise
and managing business operations.
laboratory-based.
Adam Cowling, student
MEng Chemical Engineering

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 Chemical Egineering

MEng Chemical Engineering with MEng Chemical Engineering with

Biotechnology (4YRS) Chemistry (4YRS)
Biochemical engineering is the subject through which This course will give you an insight into
the science of living organisms and systems is understanding processes from the molecular level up
translated into economic and safe products and to industrial scale and enable you to learn the
processes. Its applications are in the fields of chemistry behind the manufacturing processes. The
healthcare, nutrition and the environment. Some skills of the chemical engineer and the chemist are
examples are the manufacture of medicines, the use brought together in order to design and manufacture
of genetic engineering to treat illnesses, food products as far-ranging as petrochemicals,
processing, treating industrial and human waste and pharmaceutical tablets, inkjet printing modules,
finding ways of using renewable resources. deodorant sticks, hair products and chocolate.
You can decide to make biotechnology your specialist The chemistry course units are introduced in your first
subject by choosing to study the introductory course year with an introductory course unit. The second,
unit in your second year. You then study the specialist third and fourth years of the course introduce
units in the third and fourth years, alongside the core specialist chemistry subjects, which are studied
chemical engineering subjects. You undertake a alongside core chemical engineering. You undertake
detailed research project in your fourth year. a detailed research project in your fourth year.
Specialist subject areas: Specialist subject areas:
Introduction to biotechnology, fundamentals of life Organic chemistry, molecular simulation, spectral
sciences, biochemical engineering, biorefinery analysis, greenhouse gas and combustion emissions
engineering and bioprocessing. and polymer chemistry.

I like the laboratories and practical work,

which show how chemical engineering is
used in practice.
Liane Turner, student
MEng Chemical Engineering

20 Chemical Engineering
Undergraduate brochure 2014
 Course details

MEng Chemical Engineering with Where could I work?

Industrial Experience (4YRS) Our School has excellent contacts with industry and
Would you like to spend the third year of your course we maintain a database of potential companies for
learning skills and gaining experience in industry – placements. Although it is your responsibility to find
and be paid a salary at the same time? For the third a placement, we will do our best to help you.
year of this course, a company will employ you on
single or multiple projects in areas such as process Companies involved include: Acordis, AkzoNobel,
and plant evaluation, design, construction and AstraZeneca, Axion Recycling, BP, British Sugar,
operation. During the year, you keep a Cabot Corporation, Cadbury, Cargill, Chevron Texaco,
logbook/career development diary, produce a Conoco, Dupont, Eli Lilly, Emerys, E-on, Exxon Mobil,
dissertation in the form of a book and give a poster GlaxoSmithKline, ICI Paint, Kraft Foods, Kroda,
presentation about your experience. Imerys, Johnson Matthey, Lubrizol, Lucite
International, Marathon Oil, Pfizar, Procter and
While working in industry, you can expect to Gamble, Sabic, Sanofi, Schlumberger, Sellafield Ltd,
experience the following: Shell, Solvay, Syngenta, Unilever.
• Enhanced, in-depth and leading-edge You take an introductory course unit in your second
chemical engineering year and a course unit by distance learning during the
year out in industry.
• Extended, broadening study of chemical
engineering and other science, technology During the year, you will be a registered student and
and non-engineering subjects, such as business, will be liable for fees (at a reduced rate). You will also
or language be an employee of the company hosting your
placement and will therefore receive a salary.
• Enhanced and extended skills, such as project
work, design work, or industrial applications International students do not need to obtain a
work permit.
It is expected that during the placement you will have
the opportunity to participate in the company staff
development scheme and learn about the following:
• Safety, health and environment issues in industry
• Achieving targets and objectives
• Efficiency and cost-effectiveness
I enjoyed the course, which is not all about
• Company organisation and structure technical ability; it also teaches you how to
• Legal constraints within industrial practice tackle problems and, in the design project
especially, how to work effectively as a
• Personal effectiveness member of a team.
Please note: in order to qualify for an industrial
placement, you need to have achieved an average “On graduation, I was offered a position
mark of over 60% at the end of your first and with Foster Wheeler. My work is very varied
second years. and I may be working on a small
pharmaceutical project one month and
looking at the ways in which IT can help the
design process become more efficient the
next. In years to come, I expect to be
involved in refinery production in the
Middle East, pharmaceuticals in Singapore,
or an oil platform in the Arabian Gulf.
Matthew Cook, graduate
Chemical Engineer, Foster Wheeler

Chemical Engineering 21
www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas
 Chemical Egineering

I have just graduated from the Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience degree. I felt
the structure of this course was beneficial to me as it enabled me to gain practical experience
while still doing my degree. My year in industry with BP reinforced what I had learnt in my first
two years, standing me in good stead for the final year. In addition, the placement year
enabled me to accrue skills and knowledge in a very practical way. While on my placement with
BP, I had the opportunity of working with other engineering disciplines and getting to go out
on site visits.
“One big advantage is the money factor – Manchester has an IChemE-accredited, four-year
Industrial Experience course (at most other universities it takes five years). This means you
pay less tuition fees (only half in your placement year) and you are earning a wage. I was able
to afford to go travelling in the summer after my placement, while most of my fellow students
had to work through the holidays.
“In terms of finding a job after your degree, the Industrial Experience course is ideal because
experience in the field helps you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. In particular,
the company you work for in your year out views the placement as a kind of year-long
interview and is much more likely to give you a place on its graduate scheme than an external
applicant.
“Whatever you want to do after university, a year in industry looks great on your CV and gives
you the opportunity to perform well in the field and get a good reference.
Thomas Davison, student
MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience

MEng Chemical Engineering with • Attend lectures and tutorials conducted in

Study in Europe (4YRS) the local language
Would you like the exciting opportunity to live and • Participate in group work in laboratories
work in another culture for a year? This course and on projects
enables you to spend your third year in France,
Germany, or Spain, becoming familiar with a different • Write reports and take examinations in
social and technical culture, greatly improving your the local language
language skills and enhancing your career prospects. • Make a presentation in the local language
Chemical engineers with sufficient knowledge of about your project.
another language have career opportunities all A student from the country may be assigned to act as
around the world. You will have intensive language your mentor, and staff from our University will visit
tuition in the second year of your course. This you at least once a year. The European university will
includes spoken language, grammar and some arrange your accommodation in student residences.
technical vocabulary. During the year, you will be a registered student and
During the year abroad in the third year, you will: will be liable for fees (at a reduced rate).

• Extend your chemical engineering knowledge by

studying further subjects and undertaking
additional projects

22 Chemical Engineering
Undergraduate brochure 2014
 Course details

Where might I study? Year 4

The European universities where you can choose to • Research project, which you can choose, to
spend your year out are: examine a scientific or technical problem relating
to your specialist area; you report the work and its
• France: Lorraine and Toulouse outcomes in a dissertation in the form of a book,
• Germany: Stuttgart and Furtwangen in a short academic research paper and as a
poster presentation
• Spain: Oviedo and Cadiz
Practical and project work MEng Chemical Engineering
(Energy and Environment) (4YRS)
This course is structured so that about one third is
practical and project work, with the remainder made A major challenge to society and to future chemical
up of lectures and problem-solving classes. This engineers is how to produce and use energy in ways
means you can more easily relate theory to practice, that are sustainable, economical and environmentally
enhancing your understanding. friendly. This pathway allows you to take specialist
units related to energy, such as Energy Systems,
Year 1 Wastewater Engineering Technology and Utility
Systems, Distributed and Renewable Energy Systems
• Projects focused on equipment and process design
and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.
• Laboratory experiments introducing safety and
You will graduate both with a solid background in
good laboratory practice
core chemical engineering and with additional
• Use of information technology to assist with expertise in a topic of major significance in the
writing reports, calculations, design, programming 21st century.
and library research
Studying abroad
Year 2
Would you like to spend some time in another
• Industrial-sized experiments in the country as part of your studies? Our School has
pilot-scale laboratory several links with universities abroad and
encourages you to gain wider experience in an
• Small-scale experiments in the laboratories international context.
• Project on computer flow sheet design We are able to offer great opportunities for students
Year 3 on the MEng courses to undertake their final-year
research project in Singapore, France, Germany,
(This is the fourth year for Chemical Engineering with Spain, or the USA.
Study in Europe, or with Industrial Experience)
• Design project where, as part of a group of
students, you design a complete process plant;
this involves equipment design, costing and
profitability, control, start-up and shutdown of the
plant and assessment of hazards. The project is set
up jointly with an industrial company, which
means that it will relate to real life
• Detailed large experiments in the
pilot-scale laboratory

Chemical Engineering 23
www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas
Career prospects
Ten reasons why Manchester chemical 8 A brand new, state-of-the-art teaching facility
engineering graduates are snapped puts Manchester at the forefront of chemical
up by employers: engineering teaching.

1 Our sterling reputation throughout the world 9 The MEng Chemical Engineering with Business
means that employers know our graduates make Management course is unique and provides
excellent employees. A prestigious qualification additional specialist skills and knowledge for a
from The University of Manchester is a passport to high-level management career.
a great future.
10 The MEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial
2 Courses have a practical focus and use design Experience course is the only one of its kind to
projects, laboratory experiments and problem- have been accredited at MEng level by the
based learning to enhance theoretical work. You IChemE. The course extends and broadens
gain the analytical and problem-solving skills that knowledge and provides you with experience you
are so valuable to employers. can only gain in the workplace.

3 Highly qualified staff are experts in their field,

ensuring that you learn up-to-date, relevant and The Manchester Leadership
cutting-edge chemical engineering. Programme (MLP)
The MLP is an exciting and high profile initiative that
4 You learn valuable skills, like team-working,
encourages University of Manchester students to
communication, presentation skills and use of
engage with the local community while boosting
information technology, including specialist design
your personal and professional development. It
and modelling packages.
combines a credit-rated Leadership in Action unit
5 Close links with industry ensure your degree will with 60 hours of voluntary work.
be well known and highly respected when you
By taking the MLP as part of your course, you can
are applying for jobs.
develop invaluable skills and knowledge for your CV,
6 A chemical engineering degree is widely from project management to commercial awareness,
applicable to industrial and business sectors, and you will interact with and give something back to
giving you choice and flexibility. Careers in the the local community.
chemical engineering sector are wide and varied,
and our graduates also forge excellent careers in
non-chemical engineering jobs, such as
accountancy, marketing and management.
7 All courses have professional recognition and have
been accredited by the Institution of Chemical
Engineers. This means that, after gaining
appropriate industrial experience, graduates may
apply for corporate membership and become a
Chartered Chemical Engineer.

Chemical Engineering 25
www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas
 Find out
more online
Accommodation Childcare
Discover your new home: Balancing your studies with your caring
www.manchester.ac.uk/accommodation responsibilities:
www.manchester.ac.uk/childcare

Admissions and applications Disability support

Everything you need to apply: Talk to us about any support you need:
www.manchester.ac.uk/ug/howtoapply www.manchester.ac.uk/dso

Alan Gilbert Learning Commons Funding and finance

Take a look around our 24/7,
independent learning space: Get to grips with fees, loans, scholarships and more:
www.manchester.ac.uk/library/learningcommons www.manchester.ac.uk/studentfinance

Careers International students

Take control of your career: Let us help you prepare for your time here:
www.manchester.ac.uk/careers www.manchester.ac.uk/international

IT Services
Online learning, computer access, IT support
and more:
www.manchester.ac.uk/itservices

Library
We have one of the UK’s largest and
best-resourced university libraries:
www.manchester.ac.uk/library

Maps Sport
Find your way around our campus, city and Get active with our clubs, leagues, classes
accommodation: and facilities:
www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/travel/maps www.manchester.ac.uk/sport

Prospectus Support
Let us help with any academic, personal,
Download or order a copy of our prospectus: financial and administrative issues:
www.manchester.ac.uk/ug/courses/prospectus my.manchester.ac.uk/guest

Students’ Union
Immerse yourself in societies, events,
campaigns and more:
manchesterstudentsunion.com

Videos
Learn more about us on our YouTube channel:
26 Chemical Engineering www.youtube.com/user/universitymanchester
Undergraduate brochure 2014
Contact
details
For further information about the courses,
or about qualifications, please contact:

Admissions tutor
Dr Stuart Holmes

Address
School of Chemical Engineering and
Analytical Science
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Disclaimer Manchester
M13 9PL
This brochure is prepared well in advance of United Kingdom
the academic year to which it relates.
Consequently, details of courses may vary tel +44 (0)161 306 4360
with staff changes. The University therefore email ug-chem-eng@manchester.ac.uk
reserves the right to make such alterations
to courses as are found to be necessary. If For the most up-to-date course
the University makes an offer of a place, it is information, please visit our website:
essential that you are aware of the current www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas
terms on which the offer is based. If you are
in any doubt, please feel free to ask for
confirmation of the precise position for the
year in question, before you accept the offer.
 School of Chemical Engineering and
Analytical Science
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
United Kingdom

tel +44 (0)161 306 4360

email ug-chem-eng@manchester.ac.uk
www.manchester.ac.uk/ceas

Royal Charter Number RC000797

M648 05.13
28