Welcome to the UK Website of the EFCE WPE

 

This webpage is edited by the Education Special Interest Group from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

It is intended to give details of the education of chemical engineers in the UK for those not familiar with the UK education system. UK degrees generally conform to the EFCE Bologna Recommendations [1]. The details do, of course, vary in the different universities.

THE UK

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is made up of 4 countries with some variation in laws and the education system. In particular, Scotland has some important differences in arrangements for education, and qualifications in Wales are going through a process of reform. However, once at university, the overall pattern of chemical engineering is much the same. The following is the most common pattern for UK students who become chemical engineers.

SCHOOLING

Education is mostly delivered in state-funded schools but some students attend independent schools, which are fee-paying and are often referred to as “private” schools.

5 to 11 years
Compulsory education begins at 5 years old in a primary school.

11 to 16 years
At the age of 11 children move to a secondary school, where they study for the General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSE), or an equivalent qualification in Scotland.  

Students have to study some GCSEs as compulsory subjects; including English, Mathematics and Science. Some students choose separate science subjects (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or choose a combined science qualification (studying a reduced amount of Biology, Chemistry and Physics content)  to receive two GCSEs. Other subjects are chosen from a range including but not limited to; arts, humanities, languages and business studies.

GCSES are now mostly graded 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest and 4 is considered a pass. Or they may be graded A* to G, where C is considered a pass.

An achievement of least grade 6 (or grade B) at GCSE level is usually required to study the same subject for A-level but individual schools and colleges can set their own entry requirements. Popular schools and colleges are often oversubscribed. An achievement of at least grade 4 (or grade C) in English and Mathematics is required for entry into university, but some universities require an even higher grade.

16 to 18 years
At the age of 16, students enter what is sometimes called "sixth form" which may be at the secondary school, or in a separate "Sixth Form College" for two years, to take "A-levels" which represent advanced studies in particular subjects. Alternatives to the A-level qualification, including T-level, Baccalaureate or BTEC, are chosen by some students.  

The A-levels are a two-year course, though it is possible to take an AS-level which is essentially half an A-level in one year. Students wishing to go to university normally study three A-levels subjects. For chemical engineering, Mathematics and Chemistry are normally required, along with another subject such as Physics, Design Technology or Biology. Some students take an additional A-level or AS-level, alongside their three main subjects.

Students in Scotland may take 5 subjects at what is called "Higher" level, roughly equivalent to AS-levels, and go to a Scottish University. They may study 3 or more subjects for a further year at "Advanced Higher" level, similar to A-levels to enter, for example, an English university or to enter the second year of a Scottish university. Students in Wales may learn through the medium of the Welsh language or bilingually in Welsh and English .

Some schools offer the International Baccalaureate which can be accepted for university entry.

ENTRY TO UNIVERSITY

Students apply for up to 5 degree courses through a centralized service called UCAS. Students usually apply at the start of the final year of A-level studies, before they take their exams. Through UCAS, the university makes a conditional offer, which for chemical engineering is typically AAA in Mathematics, Chemistry and another suitable subject, often Physics. For Scottish Highers the average requirements are AAABB (UCAS, 2024). Entry requirements will between universities and between courses. Universities can make an unconditional offer, if the student has already met the entry requirements, for instance if they apply after they have taken and received their examination results. For more information go to UCAS Chemical Engineering.

The student can firmly accept one offer and add another as "insurance". If the student meets the offer, the university must accept them. If they do not, the university may choose to accept them if the course is not full and their grades are very close. If rejected, the student is considered by the insurance university. If still not placed, there is a service called "clearing" which deals with all the places in all subjects which are not filled. Students may decide to take a different subject at a different university, or may re-take their A-levels and apply next year.

STUDENT FINANCE

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, UK students have to pay a tuition fee of up to £9250 a year (the full amount for most chemical engineering degrees) but the government provides this as a loan. It is paid to the university, but the student will have to pay it back eventually by a tax when earning a sufficient salary. In addition, students can apply for a loan each year to pay for living costs, which will also be paid back eventually. Students from households with a low income may apply for a grant (which does not have to be paid back) towards living costs.

In Scotland, Scottish students pay no tuition fee and are entitled to loans and grants as above. Other UK students pay the tuition fees at Scottish universities.

International students pay different tuition fees and are not eligible for loans and grants.

DEGREE COURSES

At universities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, students study for 3 years to obtain a Bachelor degree (BEng for chemical engineering) or 4 years for an MEng. Many universities offer a preliminary year, known as a Foundation Year, in Science and/or Engineering for students without the right match of subjects or at a sufficiently high level. This is roughly equivalent to the first year of a Scottish university course, which takes 4 years for BEng and 5 for MEng.

The majority of UK chemical engineering students now study for 4 years to obtain an integrated Master's degree, MEng.

Also, there are a small number of degree apprenticeships available, which take between three and six years to complete, depending on the course and whether students study full-time or part-time. Students spend some time working and some time studying at university.

The first two years of BEng and MEng are similar. They include consolidation of basic science and mathematics, plus the basic concepts of chemical engineering such as mass and energy balances and unit operations, and relevant applications, notably heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid flow and reaction engineering. The idea of design is brought in at an early stage. Progression onto the third year of the MEng normally requires higher marks than progression on the BEng. The third and final year of the BEng will have few if any options, whereas MEng students may elect to study some specialist topics over their final two years. A substantial design project is carried out in the 3rd year of the BEng and the 3rd or 4th year of the MEng. MEng students also carry out a research project and produce a dissertation.

Students may spend a year in industry between years 2 and 3 or 3 and 4 of the degree, which is sometimes called a "sandwich" degree course. Many universities offer the possibility of taking one year of the course (usually 3rd year of an MEng) at a university in another country, and offer European language classes to support this. However, the numbers taking a year abroad are quite limited.

CREDITS

Many universities operate on a system of two semesters of 15 weeks. Courses are given in modules, totalling 120 credits per year, the equivalent of 60 ECTS credits. The details vary with universities but it is possible to progress and gain a degree with at least 100 credits per year.

HONOURS

UK students have degrees awarded in a classification known as honours. The table below gives final degree classifications [2] in general terms. Exam boards at universities meet to consider and approve grades after examinations.

For 39% and below; students may be awarded a “pass” or “ordinary” degree (without honours) depending on the final mark, and the level at which the student is studying. For example, achieving less than 50% in MEng may result in the award of BEng.

DOCTORATES

Graduates with a 2.1 honours MEng or MSc (or sometimes a first class BEng) may study for MPhil (2 years) or PhD or DPhil (3-4 years).

ACCREDITATION

Engineering qualifications including degrees are accredited by a national body called the Engineering Council. The Institution of Chemical Engineers carries out the process under the authority of the Engineering Council. This involves a visit by trained accreditors, including at least one academic and one engineer from industry to examine the course content, methods of delivery and standards of assessment. It is particularly important that there is a good design project and specific attention is paid to safety and environmental issues. Normally a BEng degree with honours would be accredited as meeting the academic educational requirements for the status of Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and the MEng degree for Chartered Engineer (CEng). A BEng graduate may also gain the higher educational standing by taking an appropriate MSc.

A graduate with BEng or MEng can apply for IEng or CEng after several years of professional practice. This requires the demonstration of competence and responsibility via a refereed training and experience report and an interview with two senior engineers. This enables the individual to be placed on the professional register of the Engineering Council.

UNIVERSITIES

There are degree courses in chemical engineering accredited by the IChemE at over 30 universities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The IChemE accredits degree courses in the UK and internationally. Details about accredited degrees are found at IChemE Find a degree programme.

From figures provided by UCAS, a total of 2425 students entered chemical, biochemical and process engineering undergraduate degree courses in the UK in 2023 [3], a 6.6% increase on the previous year [4] .

References
1. https://efce.info/efce_media/Downloads/wpe/EFCE_Bologna_Recommendations_Approved.pdf
2. https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/sites/default/files/field/downloads/2021-07/understanding-degree-algorithms.pdf
3. https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-data-resources-2023
4. https://www.icheme.org/about-us/news-releases/university-student-intake-for-chemical-engineering-rises-for-first-time-since-2015/

 IChemE last updated 30 May 2024