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Chemical Engineering

  • BEng (Hon)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Manchester

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

Begin your journey towards a challenging yet rewarding career in chemical engineering by studying at the subject's birthplace: Manchester.
You will learn the fundamentals of a key subject concerned with the design and management of processes that carry out molecular transformations on a large scale - providing the products and materials that we all need, from oil and gas to food and pharmaceuticals.

At Manchester, all of our programmes are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), meaning your education will equip you to graduate with an industrially approved degree. There will be emphasis on the technical aspects of chemical engineering. These revolve around managing the behaviour of materials and chemical reactions, as well as predicting and manipulating compositions, flows, temperatures, and pressures of solids, liquids and gases.

This is balanced with process safety and sustainability, which are inherent to all of our programmes. The latter is heavily embedded within your third-year design project. Here, you will undertake an open-ended team project to design a complete production process. Examples have included the sustainable production of chemicals such as propylene oxide and ethylene glycol from waste, and our design teams have won more IChemE Macnab-Lacey Prize for their efforts than any other university. Could you be next?

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BEng (Hon) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
H800
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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.

Application codes

Course code:
H800
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAA

AAA including Mathematics and either Chemistry or Physics. If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive. Typical Contextual Offer: AAB including A in Mathematics and B or above in Chemistry or Physics. Find out more about contextual admissions . Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below Contextual offers are available for applicants who: - live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and - live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and - have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years. See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in Engineering or Applied Science. We require grades DDD plus A-level Mathematics at grade A.

Access to HE Diploma

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course. Access to HE Diplomas will normally only be considered in conjunction with A-levels. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information before applying.

Scottish Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers with grades AAA, including Mathematics and at least one from Chemistry or Physics. Or Two Advanced Highers with grade A in Mathematics and grade A in either Chemistry or Physics and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

AS

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in Engineering or Applied Science. We require grades DD plus A-level Mathematics at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - M

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in Engineering or Applied Science. We require grade M plus A-level Mathematics at grade A and A-level Chemistry or Physics at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in Engineering or Applied Science. We require grade D plus A-level Mathematics at grade A and A-level Chemistry or Physics at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers with grades AAA, including Mathematics and at least one from Chemistry or Physics. Or Two Advanced Highers with grade A in Mathematics and grade A in either Chemistry or Physics and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 points

36 points overall with 6,6,6 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics. We accept Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches only.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this. We require minimum grade A from the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate to be considered for the course. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic department (s) you plan to apply to.

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your application.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, D3

D3, D3, D3 in principal subjects including Mathematics and either Chemistry or Physics. We also consider applicants offering a mix of Pre-U Principal Subjects and A-level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall are taken. This must include Mathematics at D3 or A-level grade A. The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. However, the qualification will not form part of your offer conditions.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically five GCSEs/IGCSEs, including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C/4 in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSEIiGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD

We consider the Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering. We require grades DDD plus A-level Mathematics at grade A.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DD

We consider the Technical Diploma in Engineering. We require grades DD plus A-level Mathematics at grade A.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma in Engineering. We require grade D plus A-level Mathematics at grade A and A-level Chemistry or Physics at grade A.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - D

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate in Engineering. We require grade D plus A-level plus A-level Mathematics at grade A and A-level Chemistry or Physics at grade A.

T Level - Not accepted

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme.

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester International Foundation Programme in are required to achieve grades AAA, including Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics and grade B in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation Programme are required to achieve AAA, including Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics and grade B in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the Admissions Team to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Audition

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall with no sub-test below 6.5.
TOEFL (iBT)9090 with no sub-test below 22.
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: -GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade 4/C -IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-test below 6.5 -TOEFL iBT 90 with no sub-test below 22 -Pearson PTE 70 overall with no sub-test below 70 -An acceptable equivalent qualification Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalents or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above.

Acceptable English Language Qualifications https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For University of Manchester, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
AAB Most common
  1. A*A*A*
  2. Highest grades
  3. ABB
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

82% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

71 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

83 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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