Overview
Study for a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at university to kickstart your career in a variety of sectors. Focusing on chemical engineering for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the food industry, a Chemical Engineering degree from Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) offers a well-rounded, innovative, and practical course structure to ensure that you’re ready for the world of work upon graduation.
With the foundation year, you'll build a strong academic base. You'll learn essential skills in mathematics, programming, applied science, and engineering, all of which are key to your success in the main degree.
You’ll use the pioneering CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) approach to problem solve mechanical engineering issues. The CDIO approach is an international engineering education model, developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It allows you to learn in a practical, hands-on way to find creative, evaluated solutions to industry related engineering challenges. We are one of the only handful of universities in the UK to offer CDIO.
You’ll gain advanced knowledge in chemical engineering technologies, preparing you for a career that includes creating efficient and sustainable chemical processes, developing innovative materials, and ensuring safe and environmentally responsible plant operations.
What’s more, you’ll be able to unlock, develop, and expand your creative potential and build technical expertise through our industry-focused and practical curriculum. Designed with input from professionals, our chemical engineering degree will mould you into a self-assured, competent, and employable graduate.
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Watch on YouTubeThe course is amazing. The lecturers are brilliant and so helpful. I look forward to progressing through my course and moving onto a career in industries where my skills and degree can be applied.Mike, Chemical Engineering student
Entry requirements
64
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | DDE |
| BTEC | MPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | TBC |
Applicants without formal level 3 qualifications will also be considered.
More information
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Module information
As well as the core modules, you may also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules in your second and third year. Option modules will not be pre-selected for you. We provide examples of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. The offer of an option will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module to ensure the appropriate student experience. The offer of option modules may also be affected by staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular optional module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
For each 30-credit module you will be scheduled 66 hours (6 hours per week) of contact through a variety of lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions with a focus on hands-on learning wherever possible. There will be extra drop-in sessions available such as help with maths and statistics, careers support and training, and open workshops where you can access the machine shop/engineering lab spaces and gain further support.
You will spend a significant portion of your time outside of scheduled classes engaging in independent learning. This involves actively reading textbooks and research articles, watching videos/tutorials to deepen your understanding of the module content. Completing assignments, such as problem sets or essays/coursework, will help you apply your knowledge and develop your critical thinking skills.
Effective time management will be essential as you prepare for assessments like exams or presentations. Collaborating with peers through group work or discussions will enhance your learning experience and provide different perspectives. Supporting resources, such as reading materials, drop-in sessions for support (technical and non-technical skills such as writing or referencing), will be available to address any challenges you encounter.
The course is delivered by a team of experienced academics combined with skilled technical staff. The majority of the teaching team are also independent researchers in their respective fields. This ensures a comprehensive learning experience, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application.
In addition to academic input, we are committed to providing you with a comprehensive understanding of industry practices. To achieve this, we incorporate guest lectures from industry professionals who bring real-world experience and insights into the module. PhD students, under the close supervision of academic staff, may contribute to tutorials or laboratory sessions to provide peer support and share their research insights.
You could also be a part of the research journey and build your skill set as you navigate through the course. This blended approach ensures that you develop both the theoretical foundation and practical skills required to excel in your chosen career path.
To successfully complete each 30-credit module, you can expect to dedicate approximately 300 hours of your time. This includes class attendance, independent study, group work, and preparation for assessments. While this may seem like a significant investment, it is important to remember that this time is crucial for developing a deep understanding of the subject matter and achieving your academic goals.
Studying Chemical Engineering at Canterbury Christ Church University will equip you with different technical, professional and employability skills. This will open for you the employment door in various industries, such as, and not limited to, chemical, food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.Dr Najah BattikhCourse Director
How you’ll be assessed
During your academic journey, you will be assessed through exams (i.e. open-book, closed-book and time-constrained exercises arranged locally or centrally) and coursework which includes group projects, presentations, lab reports and peer evaluations.
Throughout the course there will be ample formative support to help you improve and get better at presenting your work through the various modes of assessment. Time management and organisational abilities will be essential and will be developed through project planning and execution.
In your final year, you will be required to complete a substantial group CDIO project which will contain an individual research and development project, and you will be required to write and submit a dissertation.
Your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both in writing (technical reports, journal papers, lab reports, reflection etc.) and verbally (oral and poster presentations) will be assessed through various means. This diverse range of assessment methods will help you develop a well-rounded skill set and prepare you for the challenges of a professional engineering career.
As you progress, you will take on leadership roles and face ethical dilemmas, which will be assessed through group projects, case studies, and class discussions. Your ability to adapt and persevere will be tested through a variety of project challenges.
Your future career
Chemical engineers enjoy the reputation of thriving in a wide spectrum of jobs across sectors. Our alumni have found roles in sectors such as water treatment, telecommunication, energy and pharmaceutical. Some of the companies they are working for include Pfizer, Rock Compliance, Ofcom, HyPoint and Fike, while others continued to study an MSc and secured PhD scholarships.
Whether you are passionate about solving environmental problems or want to be immersed in an industry such as cosmetics, your career options will be broad. By choosing a profession in chemical engineering, you’ll not only be able to apply for a vast and exciting range of roles, but you could be earning a highly competitive salary as you progress in your career.
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
The tuition fees relate to 2025/26 only. Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
Home (UK) tuition fees for Foundation Years at Canterbury Christ Church University will be set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for foundation years in classroom-based subjects or non-classroom based subjects, as set by the UK Government.
Home (UK) tuition fees for subsequent years 1-3 are currently set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for standard undergraduate degrees set by the UK Government.
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 onwards, our undergraduate home tuition fees for subsequent years of study are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Industry links
Our course is supported by the Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth and Enterprise (EDGE) Hub. This link will open opportunities for you to meet employers, work on live industry projects, gain placements and build your network.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
H101Location(s):
CanterburyStudent life
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*We are advertising this course as ‘subject to approval.’ When we add new courses or update existing courses, we advertise the course as ‘subject to approval’. We do this to let you know the University still needs to agree to run the course. It is rare for a course not to gain approval, but it is not guaranteed. There may be changes to course and module titles, content and assessment, but we will tell you about these if there is a change. You can still apply to study a course subject to approval. We have prepared some questions and answers to tell you more.