Chemical Engineering

We are a highly active, research-intensive community of academic staff, research students, postdoctoral research fellows and visitors from all over the world. As a student of Chemical Engineering at Loughborough, you'll be well-placed to tackle some of the global challenges facing us over the next 50 years.

Top 10 in the UK for Chemical Engineering The Guardian University Guide 2024
£30.5k average starting salary Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2020-21 graduates
Top 10 in the UK for Graduate Prospects The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022

Chemical Engineering at Loughborough

Chemical engineering is an interdisciplinary and evolving subject, which has expanded past its roots in oil and gas processing. Today, Chemical Engineers have an essential role to play in the transition to more efficient and circular use of natural resources.

We explore processes and provide solutions to problems in many sectors including energy, healthcare, food and drink, and pharmaceuticals. Our postgraduate students are working on projects with real-world significance, such as combatting antibiotic resistance and drug delivery.

We're committed to developing the chemical engineers of the future by providing essential knowledge and training in engineering, science, technology, management and communication. We equip our graduates with the skills and experience needed to capitalize on the growing global demand for chemical engineers. 

MSc Biomedical Engineering and MSc Biotechnology at Loughborough University

Discover our innovative master’s programmes designed to bridge the gap between engineering and biological sciences.

Research degrees

There are also a variety of funded and unfunded opportunities for research in Chemical Engineering. You can develop your own unique research proposal or browse our current list of PhD opportunities – either way, we’d love to hear from you.

Browse our PhD opportunities

Research and teaching

Our staff are internationally recognised for their research with many collaborating with major companies. This directly feeds into our teaching, meaning that your education will involve some of the latest innovations, scholarship and practice, covering the latest industry knowledge.

We aim to tackle global challenges expected over the next 50 years including the commercial production of stem cells, smarter disinfection of hospitals, fuel cell development, carbon capture to produce usable chemical components, and the optimisation of continuous manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.

The department focuses on three multidisciplinary research areas: energy and environment, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Find out more about studying for a research degree with us.

Links with industry

The Department’s Industrial Advisory Board offers an industrial perspective on the education of future engineers and on our research strategy. The Board provides a forum for discussion, thereby enabling industrial input on our taught programmes to ensure our graduates are fit for the workplace. Board members are from a range of industry sectors, reflecting the diversity of chemical engineering graduate destinations, including:

  • 3M
  • Astra Zeneca
  • Intelligent Energy
  • Oxford Biomedica
  • PepsiCo
  • Unilever

Facilities

Loughborough is home to the Centre for Biological Engineering, a multi-disciplinary research centre that bridges the fields of engineering and biology and integrates the research work of multiple departments.

With newly-refurbished class two bio lab and tissue culture facilities, we are housed in a purpose-built facility including a multi-story mezzanine pilot plant and excellent quality laboratories and services for both bench and pilot scale work. The facility is complemented by first-rate computational and IT resources with a number of mechanical and electronic workshops. 

Accreditation

Our Advanced Chemical Engineering with Information Technology and Management programme is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). Accreditation facilitates progression towards professional chartered status (CEng) after a period of relevant graduate-level employment.

In line with the accrediting body’s review processes, our remaining programmes are undergoing reaccreditation to ensure they continue to offer professional registration opportunities.

Career opportunities

With a £30,000 average starting salary (Graduate Outcomes, 2018 graduates), a career in Chemical Engineering is rewarding and can take you global.

Our graduates play a key role in developing the technologies that will enhance our health and standard of living by, for example, developing new processes, products or materials, as well as enriching the sustainability of various sectors including water treatment, renewable energy and process systems.

Our postgraduates have gone on to further study by conducting a PhD, followed a career in teaching, research or lecturing or joined industry in various roles. Recent graduate destinations include:

  • Exxon Mobil
  • BP
  • GSK
  • Tata Steel Europe
  • Brunei Shell Company
  • Petroplus

Beyond your studies

We're proud to offer a wide range of activities for you to get involved in outside your studies. These include:

Engineering Without Borders Society

  • The Engineering Without Borders Society is a movement that inspires globally responsible engineers; promoting their initiatives through outreach, events and fundraising. This is a great way to meet like-minded people who are interested in engineering, international development, technology or if you want to try something new.

Women's Engineering Society (WES)

  • The Women’s Engineering Society (WES) is a strong and proactive group driving opportunities for female students across the engineering departments. The society membership has a full inclusion policy for all engineers regardless of gender.

Volunteering projects

  • We also have a variety of volunteering projects, including the STEM project where you can become a Science and Engineering Ambassador and encourage younger people to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics activities.