Job Description
This job is part of our sustainability series: > See more sustainable job ideas > Find out more about sustainable careers
A Chemical Engineer is involved with the design, construction and production of a diverse range of products including, food, plastics, oil, water treatments, toiletries etc. They have to take into consideration the health and safety and cost issues when altering raw materials into useful products.
Entry Requirements
You can get into this job through:
Apprenticeship
You may be able to do a science industry process engineer degree apprenticeship.
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
Click here to search for an apprenticeship.
University
You'll normally need a degree or postgraduate qualification in, chemical engineering, process engineering or 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.
A postgraduate master's qualification like an MEng can be studied at university. This course includes independent research and gives you a greater knowledge and understanding of chemical engineering science. It could also prepare you for further postgraduate study like a PhD.
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
Click here to search for a suitable course.
More Information
You can join the Institution of Chemical Engineers for professional development opportunities and find more details about careers and training in chemical engineering.
Career Path and Progression
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.
Related careers you may be interested in:
- Chemical engineering technician
- Chemist
- Energy engineer
- Nuclear engineer
Required Skills
- You will need to be interested in chemistry
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
Salary Range
£29,000 to £60,000
