Chemical Engineering (Study Abroad) Lancaster University

Chemical engineers design, develop and validate the processes behind today’s most useful materials and products. Think electric car batteries, antibiotics, biodegradable plastics and even food production. They are critical to sustainable solutions, global innovation and economic growth. Chemical Engineers frequently work across teams of engineers from other branches of the discipline, so it’s crucial to have a broad understanding of general engineering and its applications. At Lancaster, your first year is dedicated to exactly this, and you’ll share this experience with all our School of Engineering students, regardless of their specialisation. We think this makes you a well-rounded graduate, with excellent teamwork and communications skills, prepared for a career pioneering the materials, technologies and processes of the future.

Broaden your horizons

Enrich your university experience with a year overseas at one of our partner universities. In Year 4, head out to start your adventure and immerse yourself in a different cultural and academic community. We’ll support you all the way!

What to expect

Our five-year MEng Hons Chemical Engineering (Study Abroad) degree starts with your general engineering first year and includes core themes of design, materials, thermodynamics and heat transfer, along with mathematics.

You’ll specialise in chemical engineering from Year 2, developing your core skills as an engineer. Get ready to use team working, creativity and technical skills in your project work as you design and build to solve real-world problems. You’ll do it all in state-of-the-art facilities across our two engineering buildings.

One of the highlights of Year 3 is solving a whole plant design project over the course of the year. Working in a group, you’ll be taking on conceptual design and evaluating the economic, safety, legislative and ethical assessment standards. It’s a fantastic opportunity to develop project management, team working and technical writing skills as well as studying industrially relevant processes. You’ll also learn about the business and entrepreneurship side of industry too.

Master’s-level training

In your final year of study, you will gain a strong understanding of real-world engineering and hands-on experience in the profession through an industry-linked project, further building your confidence and preparing you for the workforce. You will also complete a comprehensive individual research project alongside specialist technical modules, allowing you to explore your interests and align them with your future career goals. This year will solidify your knowledge, placing you in an excellent position to launch your engineering career and progress toward achieving Chartered Engineer status.

Personal development

You will develop valuable transferable skills that make you highly desirable to future employers, such as working in collaboration, communication, and using modern computer programs as part of the design and manufacturing process. You will grow skills in analytical thinking, logic and reasoning, digital proficiencies and the ability to consider and maintain work safety practices in a range of environments.

We hope you find your year overseas personally enriching. Our students often tell us that they return feeling more confident, self-assured and with a broader perspective to take into job interviews.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

AAA. This should include Mathematics and a science subject from: Chemistry, Physics or Biology.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 45 Level 3 credits at Distinction, but you would need to meet the subject requirements.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Considered alongside A level Chemistry and appropriate evidence of Mathematics ability

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade A plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade AA plus BTEC at D. This should include sufficient content in Mathematics and an appropriate science.

International Baccalaureate

36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including either:

1. Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in a HL Physical Science

2. Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in two SL Physical Sciences

3. Mathematics SL grade 7 (analysis and approaches) plus grade 6 in a HL Physical Science

Acceptable physical science subjects include Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. GCSE Chemistry at grade B or 6 required with a HL Physics or Biology.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Considered on a case-by-case basis, and only accepted alongside A level Mathematics grade B.

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 6/B, English Language grade 4/C. Chemistry at grade 6/B required with an A level in Physics or Biology.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

Additional requirements

You will typically be asked to attend an interview

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.