Chemical Engineering
USEFUL LINKS
https://www.metalytepipeworks.com/
https://www.icheme.org/education-career/discoverchemeng/
what is A CHEMICAL ENGINEER?
Chemical engineering is an engineering field which deals with the study of operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers tend to design troubleshoot processes for the production of chemicals, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, and biological, develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials into useful products and so much more.
You can work in a variety of industries including:
energy
food and drink
oil and gas
pharmaceuticals
plastics
toiletries
water treatment.
Modern chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques, such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering.
HOW TO BECOME A CHEMICAL ENGINEER
The main routes to get into this role are :
University- by gaining a degree in the relevant field.
Apprenticeships- you may be able to gain a relevant science related apprenticeship.
You'll need a degree in chemical, process or biochemical engineering to become a chemical engineer. To gain chartered engineer status as your career develops, your degree should be accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
Chartered engineers (CEng) are registered with the Engineering Council, the UK regulatory body for the engineering profession. To become chartered, you'll need to have studied at Masters level, either completing a four-year (five years in Scotland) accredited integrated MEng or an accredited BEng followed by further learning to Masters level or an accredited Masters or engineering doctorate (EngD).
Search the list of accredited courses:
https://www.icheme.org/education-career/find-a-degree-programme/
UNIVERSITY OPTIONS
To gain a job in chemical engineering you would usually need to complete a degree in the relevant field, you will usually need 4 or 5 GCSE's at grade 9-4, and 2-3 a levels including chemistry. Some degrees which are useful to this area include:
applied chemistry
biochemical/process engineering
biomedical engineering
chemistry
environmental engineering
nuclear engineering
polymer science/technology.
Personal Statement Help
https://universitycompare.com/personal-statement-examples/engineering/statement-2
https://doxa.co.uk/undergraduateresources/chemicalengineeringps
https://www.studential.com/personal-statement-examples/chemical-engineering-personal-statement-10
https://www.personalstatementservice.com/blog/examples/chemical-engineering-personal-statement-2
APPRENTICESHIP OPTIONS
There are some companies who offer degree apprenticeships in chemical engineering which will support you gaining a degree whilst undertaking direct work experience in this field. This is dependent on the company and area, you will also usually need to go through an interview process when appying for a degree apprenticeship in a science industry process engineer degree apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Finders
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Interview Help
https://content.wisestep.com/common-interview-questions-answers-chemical-engineers/
Work experience and volunteering
employers
Any company involved in large-scale conversion of raw materials into a product needs chemical engineers.
Employers are as diverse as the products they produce and cover a range of industrial sectors, including:
biotechnology
business, management and consultancy
chemical and allied products
energy
food and drink
materials
oil and gas
pharmaceuticals
process plants and equipment
water.
<Taken from prospects 2024>
There are also opportunities at companies that design and manufacture chemical process plants and equipment, although this may require mechanical engineering knowledge.
You could also work at engineering consultancy and contracting firms. In these roles, you're likely to design and commission a new plant or modify an existing one.
Look for job vacancies at:
The Chemical Engineer Jobs - published by IChemE
Specialist recruitment agencies such as NES Global Talent and SRG also advertise vacancies.