Chemical Engineering undergraduate courses

What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineering is about designing and improving processes that transform raw materials into useful products, from clean energy and medicines to food and advanced materials. It combines maths, chemistry, physics and engineering to solve real-world problems, with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and safety.

Imagine creating the next generation of powerful batteries that will fuel electric cars, developing vaccines that save millions, or inventing processes that turn waste into valuable resources. Chemical engineers turn big ideas into reality, solving some of the world’s greatest challenges through innovation and technology.

What do Chemical Engineers do?

Chemical engineering is a creative and wide-ranging discipline that connects science, mathematics and engineering to improve the way we live.

Chemical engineers design and develop the processes that turn raw materials into valuable products — from clean energy and sustainable fuels to medicines, food, and advanced materials. They help shape industries that keep our world moving and our communities healthy.

At its heart, chemical engineering is about transformation — changing one thing into another safely, efficiently and sustainably. Chemical engineers use their understanding of chemistry, physics and biology to tackle global challenges such as clean water, renewable energy, and the transition to a net-zero future.

Being a chemical engineer means applying problem-solving and innovation to real-world needs. Whether it’s designing new ways to store energy, developing life-saving pharmaceuticals or creating greener manufacturing processes, chemical engineers play a vital role in building a more sustainable world.

At Sheffield, you’ll learn the technical, analytical and professional skills that employers value — and join a community focused on engineering a better future for everyone.

Courses

Foundation year

Transferring courses

We understand that, as you become more familiar with the material covered within your degree programme, your special interests may change. That's why we've designed our programmes to be flexible, allowing you to transfer between the various options.

Accreditation

We are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.