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Chemical engineer
Chemical engineers develop ways to turn raw materials into everyday products.
Average salary (a year)
£30000
Starter
£65000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
39.0 to 41.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role
University
You'll normally need a degree or postgraduate qualification in
chemical engineering, process engineering, biochemical engineering
You may be able to do a postgraduate conversion course if you have a degree in a related area like engineering, chemistry or polymer science.
Some universities offer a foundation year for people without qualifications in maths and science, which allows them to move onto the degree course afterwards.
You could take a postgraduate master's qualification like an MEng. This would include independent research and would give you a greater knowledge and understanding of chemical engineering science. It could also prepare you for further postgraduate study like a PhD.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You may be able to do a science industry process engineer degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start as a chemical engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.
More Information
Professional And Industry Bodies
You can join the Institution of Chemical Engineers for professional development opportunities.
Further Information
You can find more details about careers and training in chemical engineering through the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Maths knowledge
    Knowledge of engineering science and technology
    Knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
    Design skills and knowledge
    Knowledge of physics
    Analytical thinking skills
    Science skills
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
If you work in research and development, you could,test new ways to develop products in the lab, use computer models to work out safe and cost-effective production methods, plan how to move from lab tests to pilot production and then large-scale processing, develop methods to deal safely with by-products and waste materials
In manufacturing, you could
work with plant designers to create production equipment and instruments, oversee the day-to-day operation of the processing plant, monitor production and deal with problems, work closely with quality control and health and safety managers
Working environment
You could work in a laboratory, in an office or at a manufacturing plant.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could progress to senior process or design engineer, research and development manager.
You could go on to be a plant manager, or overall operations manager.
You could also move into consultancy work.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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