Chemical Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng MEng

Course description

Sustainable manufacturing, clean energy, and innovative healthcare are just a few of the pressing challenges that need the creativity and expertise of chemical engineers.

At Sheffield, we’ll equip you with the skills to tackle global challenges and make a real impact in industries shaping the future.

A chemical engineering degree from Sheffield opens the door to a diverse and rewarding career in industries that shape our world.

We emphasise learning through practical experience. That means lab work, projects and open-ended problem-solving. And our state-of-the-art pilot plant gives you the chance to apply what you learn by experimenting with large-scale process equipment. In fact, hands-on experience of using industry standard equipment is integrated throughout the course.

Chemical engineering is rapidly evolving, and we’ll make sure you’re ahead of the curve. You’ll gain essential skills for an increasingly digital manufacturing world, including advanced computer modelling techniques. These skills are critical for future-proofing your career in a tech-driven, sustainable economy.

You’ll have the opportunity to study abroad or take part in a year-long industry placement. Both options offer a chance to gain real-world experience and build valuable international and industry connections that will help you stand out when you graduate.

In your third year, you’ll take on a design project, where you’ll create a real-world process from start to finish, replicating the work of chemical engineers in the industry. This comprehensive, hands-on project will integrate everything you’ve learned preparing you for your first step into the industry.

Modules

Title: Chemical Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng or BEng course structure
UCAS code: H801
Years: 2022, 2023, 2024

Foundation year Year 1 onwards

Foundation year

Semester 1 Core Modules:

Advanced Level Chemistry

The unit covers a selection of the major concepts from areas of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry in order to develop a sound basic knowledge of chemistry corresponding to the common core A level curriculum as preparation for successful studies in the Material Sciences and Chemical Engineering.

20 credits

Full Academic Year Core modules:

Introduction to Engineering

This module will introduce the application of engineering principles to foundation year students and give the student an appreciation of the breadth of engineering activities across the faculty and identify to students what knowledge areas and skills are needed in order to contribute to their development and be successful. It will also help create links with departments and draw on the other modules that students will take in the foundation year especially maths and physics.

40 credits

Elements of Physics

PHY010 provides students with the elements of Physics required to enter the first year of an engineering course where some knowledge of Physics is needed.

Understanding will be developed by taking a sub- set of the lectures of the more comprehensive module PHY009, namely those covering Dynamics/Mechanics; Electricity and Magnetism (autumn semester); and Oscillations, Waves, and Optics; Properties of Matter (spring semester). These will be delivered in the first 2/3rds of either semester. Problem solving and example classes are integrated into lectures.

As PHY008 teachings no practical Physics, this module is complemented by laboratory components of the 40 credit foundation year module (FCE001).

20 credits

Optional Modules

Core Foundation Mathematics

The syllabus for MPS002 covers the common core A Level curriculum. The unit is tailored for students who have been away from mathematics for a period of time, but who will have gained some A-Level or similar qualifications. The unit covers the basic principles of algebra, geometry and calculus. Following the introduction of new material in the lectures, students have the opportunity of extensive problem solving, both in the tutorial sessions with the lecturers and in their own time.

40 credits

Foundation Core and Enhanced Mathematics

This module builds on the common core curriculum from A level maths (which is a prerequisite). This unit covers enhanced comprehension of topics in pure maths, statistics, probability, and numerical methods. These topics are chosen to further prepare students for their undergraduate studies in the science and engineering faculties.

40 credits

Learning and assessment

We're an international department with 45% of our academic teaching staff coming from overseas, giving our course content truly international relevance. Many of our staff have key links with major industry including AstraZenca, Shell, BOC, Process Systems Enterprise and MedImmune.

Entry requirements

Standard offer

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
BBB; BBC
BBB (any A Level); BBC including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology

International Baccalaureate

32 (any subjects); 31 with Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology at Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 7

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD in Engineering or Applied Science + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A

BTEC Diploma

DD in Engineering or Applied Science + A at A Level (no STEM at A Level) + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + B in an A Level science subject (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology) + GCSE Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + C in A Level Maths + GCSE Science grade 6/B

T Level

Distinction in the relevant T Level, including grade B in the core component + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A

Scottish Highers

AABBB (any subjects); ABBBB including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels

B + BB (any A Level subjects); B + BC in Maths and either Physics, Chemistry or Biology

Access to HE Diploma

Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 at Distinction (to include 12 Maths units), and 21 at Merit + GCSE Maths grade 7/A

Other requirements

• If you are studying any other subject combination, we require GCSE Science grade 6/B (or 65 in GCSE Double Award Science) and Maths grade 7/A

• Relevant T Level subjects include: Maintenance, Installation & Repair for Engineering & Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing & Control; or Design & Development for Engineering & Manufacturing

Graduate careers

School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering

Our graduates work in sectors including chemicals, consumer goods, oil and gas, consultancy, pharmaceuticals, energy, water, food and drink, materials, process plant and equipment, biotechnology and the nuclear industry.

We produce chemical engineers equipped to work in industrial teams designing and operating new processes. Our recent graduates are working for global companies including BASF, Cargill, Johnson Matthey, GlaxoSmithKline, BOC, Shell, EDF, Total Lindsey and Sellafield.

School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering

Chemical engineers design and optimise processes that produce, transform, and transport materials and energy. They begin with laboratory research and experimentation, then scale up these processes for real-world industrial applications, ensuring efficiency, safety, and sustainability in production.

Our expertise spans the breadth and depth of chemical engineering, from clean energy solutions like hydrogen and carbon capture, to advanced materials such as nanotechnology for solar panels and sustainable plastics.

Our academic researchers are working in areas such as energy storage, low CO₂ cement and process optimisation, as well as developing technologies including mRNA vaccines and electric vehicle batteries. This broad approach ensures students gain the latest techniques and knowledge to tackle global challenges and drive sustainable innovation in the field.

All of our non-foundation year courses are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), ensuring you're on the path to becoming a Chartered Engineer.

You'll be taught in The Diamond, one of the very best teaching spaces in the UK. This unique facility will provide you with a safe environment in which you'll apply your learning from lectures, tutorials and labs on larger scale process equipment through hands-on experimentation.

Facilities

The Diamond Pilot Plant (DiPP) is the cornerstone of chemical engineering education at Sheffield. It features cutting-edge, integrated manufacturing processes, including a continuous powder processing line.

Its software and products are sponsored by major industrial companies including, GEA, Solaris Biotech and NiTech and is also used to up-skill employees of UK companies.

Science and Engineering Foundation Year

University rankings

Student profiles

Fees and funding

Fees

Additional funding

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering scholarships

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Offer holder days

If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.

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Science and Engineering Foundation Year