Course summary

This degree leads to a Master’s level qualification and is professionally accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) on completion of this course. Chemical engineers bring about innovation and improvements in process industries, such as those concerned with the manufacture of chemicals, food, fuel and pharmaceuticals. The Department of Chemical Engineering was founded in 1912 and undergraduate degrees were first formally taught from 1937. On this professionally accredited course, you will learn to apply scientific, engineering and business principles to a variety of complex practical issues. All Chemical Engineering students study the same core programme for the first two years, covering fundamental science and mathematics and how these apply to practical engineering problems. Mathematics modules cover a wide range of pure and applied topics, with emphasis on solving the large sets of non-linear equations which characteristically describe chemical engineering problems. You will also analyse a variety of chemical processes, and learn about the many ways of contacting, reacting and separating different gases, liquids and solids on a large scale. There is approximately the same amount of physical chemistry as in pure science courses distributed through the four years, while first-year modules in chemistry and biochemistry are designed to support eventual optional modules in later years. As the course progresses, you will have the freedom to tailor your study programme to your interests through a range of specialist modules such as nuclear chemical engineering and biochemical engineering. Your study reaches Master’s level in the fourth year, with advanced modules and a substantial research project. Studying to this level means that graduates require fewer years of work experience to become a Chartered Engineer. Environmental effects of chemical operations are highlighted throughout the course, with an emphasis on successful control and mitigation. There are also major optional modules in which environmental technology themes can be taken further. Attention to safety engineering is closely integrated with many of the modules and in most projects a safety audit is required. There is an emphasis on project work throughout the course, which increases in complexity each year. These projects consist of design work, theoretical and computing studies, and practical work in our laboratories, including in our state-of-the-art Carbon Capture Pilot Plant. Much of your project work will be grounded in real industry problems, and all students have the opportunity to complete an industry-based project towards the end of their degree. In your final year you will also complete a major project covering all aspects of the design of a chemical plant. All students must apply to this course in the first instance. Students interested in the Chemical with Nuclear Engineering degree can normally transfer onto the course up until the start of the third year. We also offer this degree with a Year Abroad. Normally only students who are on track for at least a 2:1 by the end of year two (or year three for final-year placements) will be eligible. If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your Tier 4 visa, but our International Student Support Team are here to help advise and support you.