Chemical Engineering and Diploma in Industrial Training BEng

  • UCAS Code H802
  • Duration Up to 5 years
  • Delivery type Full Time
  • Study location
  • Edinburgh
  • Number of places
  • 60 across all programmes

Overview

The Course

The Diploma in Industrial Training, which is available with all our Chemical Engineering programmes, allows students the chance to work in the chemical and process industry before completing their final year(s) of study. The programme structure is the same as followed by the MEng/BEng programme. Students need to apply and be accepted for a place in industry in order to qualify for the DIT award.

Career Prospects

Potential employers are keen to see students with industrial experience. Many students will find their industrial placement experience useful for deciding on their ultimate career path and to demonstrate their ability to work in industry.

Overview

The Course

The Diploma in Industrial Training, which is available with all our Chemical Engineering programmes, allows students the chance to work in the chemical and process industry before completing their final year(s) of study. The programme structure is the same as followed by the MEng/BEng programme. Students need to apply and be accepted for a place in industry in order to qualify for the DIT award.

Career Prospects

Potential employers are keen to see students with industrial experience. Many students will find their industrial placement experience useful for deciding on their ultimate career path and to demonstrate their ability to work in industry.

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.

Level 2

Important themes are developed focusing on an understanding of the movement of material, heat and how materials behave. The principle components of this year include: Fluid Mechanics; Heat Transfer; Mass Transfer; and Thermodynamics. A mini design project pulls together the key themes for this year.

Level 3

For standard BEng/MEng candidates this year is identical to the MEng/BEng Chemical Engineering structure. During this year students can apply to companies offering industrial placements. Successful candidates will usually start their placement during the summer vacation.

Level 4

Year in Industry: Through the placement year, regular contact between the student and University takes place via progress reports and visits. Historically, placements have seen students take on responsible roles supporting their line manager and the company as a whole in its day to day operations.

Fifth Year

The specialist and core Chemical Engineering subjects are concluded along with the extensive research project. A central theme is the enhanced design project where students have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in process design and commercial awareness.

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