University of the West of Scotland
Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons)
University of the West of Scotland

Key Course Facts

Course Description

OVERVIEW

Chemical engineers are involved in the design, operation and management of plants and processes resulting in products that influence our wellbeing and quality of life. Chemical engineering is at the forefront of the quest to produce clean energy and satisfy human needs across a number of areas in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. These areas include pharmaceuticals, health, food, drink, oil, gas, petrochemicals, agriculture, fine chemicals and materials. Professionally accredited, and with paid optional placement opportunities, the BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering offers excellent job prospects and the potential to help create a sustainable planet.

  • PRACTICAL FOCUS

This course combines academic study, hands-on experience and group projects to ensure you develop the essential practical and communication abilities required by employers in the chemical engineering and processing industries.

You will study engineering, mathematics and chemistry principles; chemical enginering expertise and gain practical experience through laboratory work and use world-class process simulation tools such as Aspen Suite and Ansys Fluent.

You will undergo a period of pilot plant-based training and you can take a one-year paid sandwich placement as a junior chemical engineer in industry. Placements are obtained competitively and cannot be guaranteed; they can take place in the UK or abroad. In recent years students have completed placements with organisations such as Diageo, Scottish Water and Trident Engineering Consultants.

In addition, the course encourages input from industry and experts will share their expertise with you through guest lectures.

  • CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates have gained employment with companies including GlaxoSmithKline; Amec Foster Wheeler; Texaco; BNFL Sellafield; Seal Chemicals; Doosan Babcock; Nestlé; Joint European Torus Project; and Procter and Gamble.

  • PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

This BEng is accredited by the professional body, the Institution of Chemical Engineers under license from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. The curriculum is designed to satisfy internationally recognised high accreditation requirements. Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees including companies from countries that are signatories to international accords.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Qualification requirements

HNC in Care and Administrative Practice or Applied Science with B required in graded unit for entry to Year 1 Sufficient science and discursive subjects and a strong academic profile to be competitive. English and Maths at least at National 5 Grade B.

HND Legal Services: AAA in Graded Units. Other relevant HND qualifications will be considered on an individual basis; please contact us for advice.

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

English language requirements

test Grade
IELTS (Academic) 6
Cambridge English Advanced
Cambridge English Proficiency
Trinity ISE
PTE Academic 54
TOEFL (iBT) 78
IELTS (Academic) 6
Cambridge English Advanced
Cambridge English Proficiency
Trinity ISE
PTE Academic 54
TOEFL (iBT) 78

ACADEMIC TECHNOOGY APPROVAL SCHEME (ATAS) CERTIFICATE Many international applicants (see exempt nationalites*) are advised that they will need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they can be considered for an unconditional offer of study on this undergraduate integrated masters course. Entry Clearance Officers (ECO) will ask to see your ATAS certificate as part of your visa application process. UK immigration law does not allow universities to permit international students to study for an ATAS applicable course until the student has supplied the university with all the relevant ATAS certificate details for their application. *EXEMPT NATIONALITIES Students who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate to study on ths course. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.

Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Chemical Engineering, BEng (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
EU £18000 year 1
International £18000 year 1

Additional fee information

Students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales are offered one year of free tuition fees at the University of the West of Scotland and so students only pay for 3 years of study from a 4 year undergraduate degree programme.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

August 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2
  • year 3
  • year 4

UCAS application code:

H810

University Rankings

#12
University Guru Meta Ranking
of University of the West of Scotland

among 20 universities in Scotland
based on 23 different rankings

Positions of University of the West of Scotland in top UK and global rankings.

See all 23 university rankings of University of the West of Scotland

About University of the West of Scotland

List of 62 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of the West of Scotland - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Paisley Campus
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FAQ about Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons) University of the West of Scotland

  • Tuition fees for this programme are 9250 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.

  • Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons) is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at University of the West of Scotland.