About us

At Birmingham we are dedicated to delivering a first-class learning experience led by academics who are global experts in their field. Our staff's passion and expertise have propelled the department to the forefront of some of the most innovative and exciting research in chemical engineering today.

Our core strengths: 

  • Birmingham has one of the largest concentrations of Chemical Engineering expertise in the UK, with over 100 members of staff and over £10 million per annum in research income.

  • We have extensive links with key employers, such as BP, Unilever and GSK, who provide projects and work placements for our students and regularly recruit our graduates.

  • We have access to world-class teaching and laboratory facilities including a £40 million Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) where we are using the latest educational technologies to reinvent practical classes.

  • A student-centred approach where the needs of our students are put first, both in terms of academic and pastoral support.

 

student in lab

As one of the oldest and largest Schools of Chemical Engineering in the United Kingdom we have a long and rich history. However, despite being amongst the most prestigious departments in the UK, we are both friendly and welcoming. In addition to being home to a team of supportive academic and professional staff, we pride ourselves on our vibrant and sociable student community.

Our degree programmes

As a student at Birmingham, you will have the opportunity to tailor your degree based on your interests and skills. Due to the outstanding reputation of the university, your degree will be valued both nationally and internationally and open up a host of opportunities to help you succeed in your chosen career path.

We have recently redesigned our degree programmes to make them amongst the most relevant in the world. We aim to train you for a promising career in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, environmental engineering and emerging areas such as nanotechnology.

Undergraduate degree programmes

students working at computer

Our undergraduate degrees will not only equip you with the subject specific skills such as advanced analytical skills, problem solving  and subject knowledge you require, but will also give you confidence in leadership, team work, evaluation and communication. All of these skills are highly valued in the sector and give rise to a well-rounded graduate.

As well as the BEng (3 year course) and the MEng (4 year course) options, we also offer Industrial and International year options. All of our courses are accredited by the IChemE.

The industrial placement gives you experience of working in the chemical engineering field which will enhance your CV and allow you to acquire further knowledge and employability skills. The international year enables you to study abroad, make new friends and experience what it’s like to live in another country. 

Postgraduate degree programmes

We offer a range of taught, research-based and combined degrees at postgraduate level. Our specialisms include Formulation Engineering, Healthcare Technology, Global Energy and Food Safety, Hygiene, Bioprocessing and Industrial Project Management.  

Our resources include the Centre for Doctoral Training in Formulation Engineering: Sustainable Structured Products, which was recently awarded funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). We are also home to the Healthcare Technologies Institute (HTI), which brings together leading experts from a variety of disciplines across the University of Birmingham, including chemical engineering, biomedical science, computer science, applied mathematics, chemistry and physics.

In the below video, Professor Liam Grover discusses the main themes of the HTI's research and the revolutionary projects they're currently working on.

Birmingham Heroes: Professor Liam Grover talks healthcare technologies

 Our Research 

As Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is one of the largest departments in the UK, we have cultivated a well-established tradition of wide-ranging experimental research.

Many of our research projects involve collaboration with industrial and government organisations and the quality of our research is reflected by our rating in the Research Excellence Framework (REF). In the most recent assessment, 96% of our research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2021).

In order to maintain our position as one of the major centres for engineering research in Europe, we seek to recruit excellent research students to assist us in building our world-leading portfolio. From fighting antimicrobial resistance with honey to creating healthier – but still delicious – chocolate, our research captures some of the most pressing, yet relatable, issues today.

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