Chemical

About Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is the ideal degree for people who enjoy chemistry and maths, it combines both into one. This does not mean it will be easy, chemical engineering is one of the hardest degrees. However, this means as a graduate you will have a plethora of varying skills to enter a wide range of sectors, therefore there will always be a job available for a chemical engineer. Furthermore chemical engineering graduates are the highest paid graduate out all all engineering degrees.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements will vary from university to university, however, all will require BBB or higher with most asking for at least AAA. You will need to have maths as one of the A-level qualifications.

GCSEs that suit this Degree

Regardless of what GCSEs you do you can always go down various career paths, but certain GCSEs will give you an advantage and some will be required. Below is a list of GCSEs which will help you with chemical engineering:

• English Language and Literature *(required)
• Mathematics *(required)
• Double or Triple Science *(required)
• IT

A-levels that suit this Degree

Regardless of what A-levels you do you can always go down various career paths, but certain A-levels will give you an advantage and some will be required. Below is a list of A-levels which will help you with chemical engineering:

• Mathematics *(required)
• Chemistry
• Physics

Duration of Degree

The duration of the degree is 3 years for a bachelors (BEng) and an additional year for a masters (MEng and MSc). You can also carry on and do a PhD which is usually 4 years.

Who This Degree Suits?

Every degree will be enjoyable and suit different personalities, below is a list of characteristics and personalities which will enjoy the chemical engineering degree:

• Enjoy mathmatics
• Enjoy chemistry
• Interested in chemical processes (Oil & Gas, chemical industry, food industry, pharmaceuticals etc...)

Module /Topics

Chemical engineering has many topics that need to be covered, below is a list of the topics that will be in all university curriculums:

• Thermodynamics
• Heat, mass and momentum transfer
• Fluid mechanics
• Chemistry
• Biology (cells)
• Petroleum engineering
• Industrial chemistry
• Chemical processing faculties
• Chemical reactions and calculations
• Control systems
• Environmental management
• Programming language
• Business studies
• Health and Safety in engineering

Industry Sectors

Chemical engineering allows you too apply to many different industries, below is a list of them:

• Oil and Gas
• Chemical industry
• Pharmaceuticals
• Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
• Energy (Combustion, Solar, Wind, Nuclear etc...)
• Aerospace (Military aircrafts, Missiles, Space, Commercial airliners and general aviation)
• Finance (Investment Banking, Retail Banking, HMRC, Insurance)
• Scientific research
• Sales

Types of Jobs

Chemical engineers can apply to a wide variety of roles, below is a list of them:

• Process engineer
• Flow assurance engineer
• Production engineer
• Supply chain management
• Data scientist
• Consultant
• HMRC Tax specialist
• Teacher

Work hours and Salary

As a chemical engineering graduate you will usually work 9-5 job, which is roughly 40 hours a week. Companies are more flexible now and would let you work from home for part of the week, which can help make work life balance more easy. The salary you will get will vary on your experience and which sector you go into, below is the average expected salaries:

• Graduate can expect £25,0000 - £35,000;
• With experience (3-5 years) salaries will rise to £30,000 - £45,000;
• Chartered or senior engineers (6-10 years) can expect £45,000 - £100,000