Chemical Engineering BEng

  • UCAS Code H800
  • Duration Up to 4 years
  • Delivery type Full Time
  • Study location
  • Edinburgh
  • Number of places
  • 60 across all programmes

Overview

The Course

The BEng programme forms the core for our advanced MEng programmes allowing us to offer flexibility to students. Programmes share the same first two years, with the more chemistry oriented MEng programmes specialising in chemistry topics in third year. Our programmes aim to provide students with a sound understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals to become professional chartered engineers. In addition to a grounding in science, mathematics and engineering, our students acquire practical abilities that are highly sought after by industry.

Career Prospects

Jobs range from research and development, through the design, commissioning and management of plant, to product marketing and technical services.

Overview

The Course

The BEng programme forms the core for our advanced MEng programmes allowing us to offer flexibility to students. Programmes share the same first two years, with the more chemistry oriented MEng programmes specialising in chemistry topics in third year. Our programmes aim to provide students with a sound understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals to become professional chartered engineers. In addition to a grounding in science, mathematics and engineering, our students acquire practical abilities that are highly sought after by industry.

Career Prospects

Jobs range from research and development, through the design, commissioning and management of plant, to product marketing and technical services.

Programme content

Level 1

Provides a general introduction to the subject, emphasising the role of basic mathematics and science. Courses introduce basic techniques and principles of chemical engineering including: Mass Balances; Basic Thermodynamics; and Energy Balances. An awareness of professional and personal development forms a critical part of the teaching in this year.

Level 2

Important themes focus on an understanding of the movement of material, heat and how materials behave. Principal components include Fluid Mechanics; Heat Transfer; Mass Transfer and Thermodynamics. Also includes a mini-design project.

Level 3

Provides opportunities to analyse key operations in the industry, particularly the processing and separation of gases and liquids. In parallel, there are subjects looking at chemical reactor theory, how processes are controlled and the prediction of physical behaviour. Topics on Safety, Environment and Economics are consolidated in a group-based project.

Level 4

A central theme is the advanced analysis of key processing operations and their control. Specialist topics include: Processing Solids; Energy Efficiency; and Developing Sustainable Processes. A group-based design project and individual research project are also undertaken.

Kevin Duncan Jenna Robertson

Kevin Duncan

School Keith Grammar School, Aberdeenshire
Degree BEng Chemical Engineering
Present Job Facilities Engineer with ExxonMobil Upstream Production, Aberdeen
Kevin Duncan

"I left school after fifth year and started a four-year apprenticeship as an Instrument Technician. I visited Heriot-Watt and found the people and lecturers very friendly. I was accepted into the second year due to my relevant qualifications and experience. Starting university aged 23 was daunting, but it was very easy to establish a network of friends, some of whom I lived with for the subsequent years in Edinburgh city.

"Hard work and outstanding performance are acknowledged and rewarded. Many multi-national companies have great respect for the chemical engineering degrees provided by Heriot-Watt, and I highly recommend studying there."

Jenna Robertson

Degree MEng Chemical Engineering with Pharmaceutical Chemistry and DIT
Present Job Operations Process Engineer, Chevron
Jenna Robertson

"Chemical Engineering is a great challenge and so varied! Sometimes you cannot predict what is coming next, but with each day you have the opportunity to use your knowledge to its best and be technically creative. I like being able to solve problems logically and having the responsibility of solving operational and design issues. Chemical engineering is one of the best paid engineering disciplines and has excellent career prospects due to the fact that chemical engineers have the greatest overview of chemical plant operations.

"Heriot-Watt's excellent reputation, both within the chemical engineering industry and with the Institution of Chemical Engineers, was a key factor in my decision to choose to study here. On my first visit I thought the campus was lovely. I met some of my best friends in halls! I received an academic scholarship for the duration of my programme, and being a musician in my spare time, I also applied for and received a music scholarship.

"The staff were particularly supportive, especially when I joined the programme in second year. They spent additional time with me when I started, ensuring that I was up to speed.

"Heriot-Watt encourages taking a year out before your final year to develop your engineering skills. I did this, and it made everything I learned about afterwards far clearer. Heriot-Watt has established special relationships with companies through the student DIT scheme."

Entry requirements

The University offers as its normal entry routes:

  • entry at Level 1, mainly for students with Scottish Highers (or similar)
  • entry at Level 2, mainly for students with A-levels (or similar).

There is nevertheless considerable flexibility, depending on the level of qualifications, for entrants with A-levels to opt to enter at Level 1 and for Scottish students to enter at Level 2. Direct entry into Level 3 is also possible for students who already have certain HE qualifications.

Level 1 entry

  • Scottish Highers AABB
  • GCE A Level BBB
  • SQA Higher National Cert B In graded unit. Additional HNC profile requirement - Please contact Admissions Tutor to discuss further
  • Int. Baccalaureate 29 points to include Higher Level Mathematics and Chemistry
  • Scottish Baccalaureate pass with BC in Adv. Higher Maths and Chemistry
  • Additional information Physics is strongly advised at least at Standard Grade, GCSE, or equivalent. Applicants may be admitted with a range of alternative qualifications. Qualifications must include Mathematics and Chemistry .

Level 2 entry

  • GCE A Level ABB
  • SQA Advanced Highers BB plus AABB at Higher (must include Mathematics and Chemistry)
  • SQA Higher National Cert A in graded unit. Additional HNC profile requirement - graded units tariff is for guidance only. Please contact Admissions Tutor to discuss further.
  • SQA Higher National Dip BB in graded units. Additional HND profile requirement - graded units tariff is for guidance only. Please contact Admissions Tutor to discuss further.
  • Scottish Baccalaureate distinction with AB in Adv. Higher Maths and Chemistry

Level 3 entry

  • Additional information Some applicants may qualify for advanced entry to Level 3. For example HND, AA in graded units. Additional HND profile requirement: graded units tariff is for guidance only. Please contact Admissions Tutor to discuss further. Successful progression on MEng will depend on academic performance during Level 3.

Tuition fees

Status* Scotland / EU** England / Northern Ireland / Wales International
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,000 £14,340

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the 3 years before the start of your programme. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries, not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales.

Scholarships & bursaries