International Students

Welcome to the School of Chemical Engineering, a School with one of the largest concentrations of Chemical Engineering excellence in the UK, which has driven us to the forefront of exciting and innovative research relative to current day issues.

5th

in the UK. The Complete University Guide 2025.

6th

in the UK. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

 
As well as generating over £10 million per annum in research income, our School is dedicated to delivering an outstanding student-centred teaching experience led by academics who are global experts in their field. Our diverse degree programmes, state of the art laboratories and extensive links with industry will provide you with a first-class learning environment, which is reflected in our Top-100 QS World Subject ranking (2023) and Top-10 rankings in major UK league tables including the Times and CUG (2024)

Video Transcript

[MUSIC AND LOGO PLAYING] 

[Electricity Pylon with clouds floating by in background]. Our research aims to completely transform the UK's energy system. So that they can decarbonize as quickly as possible, and help meet our commitments to net zero by 2050. [Aerial view of chemical engineering plant]. And contribute to the global goals of reducing carbon emissions and avoiding dangerous climate change. [View of scored earth].

[Dr Jonathan Radcliffe standing in front of chemical engineering machinery]. In order to do this, we're developing new technologies that can make best use of low carbon energy supply from variable sources like wind [wind turbines] or solar [solar panels]. And balancing that with new ways of using energy such as heat pumps in the home or for electric vehicles [vehicle being charged]. 

[LOGO PLAYING] 

[Dr Anita Ghag standing in a laboratory]. I'm based here within the schools Healthcare Technology Institute. [Woman adding drops to her eyes and close up of pupil] Some of our recent projects include the development of a novel hydrogel eye drops system. So this eye drops system is developed to regenerate the cornea, which is the front window of the eye.

[Dr Anita Ghag standing in a laboratory]. My personal research focuses on the development of functional scaffolds made out of biodegradable polymers. [Patient in hospital bed]. So sometimes cancer patients can suffer complications from radiotherapy, and they get holes or gaps within the oesophagus. [Dr Anita Ghag standing in a laboratory]. We're creating a triple layered structure, which we can then apply to these holes, and which will stimulate cells and regenerate the tissue.

[LOGO PLAYING] 

[Dr Fotis Spyropoulos standing in a laboratory]. So formulation engineering is all about the design, manufacture, and performance of products that have a desirable features. Examples of formulated products would be foods [table of food], pharmaceuticals [packets of tablets], fast consumer goods such as cleaners [person cleaning surface]. But also paints [person painting surface yellow with large paintbrush] and agrochemicals [chemical being poured onto a spoon]. So my research is looking into developing emulsion-based combination therapy formulations which are liquid. [Dr Fotis Spyropoulos standing in a laboratory] And therefore, child friendly. [Visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/chemeng-ug

[MUSIC AND LOGO PLAYING]

Professor Eddie Pelan

Professor Eddie Pelan

Admissions Tutor

“Our School welcomes many UG international students from regions across the world including, Malaysia, China, the Middle East and many more. Below we have provided some useful information for 2023 applicants, including what to expect during your first year, and some first-hand experiences from our current Chemical Engineering students. If you have any further questions, myself and the team look forward to hearing from you.”

Your First Year at Birmingham

Your first year as a Chemical Engineering student at the University of Birmingham will be an interesting and exciting time full of new experiences and challenges. Even before you arrive here on campus, you can visit our First Year Prospective Student Area where you can find examples of typical timetables, lectures and recordings to really get a feel for what it is like to be a student here.

Here are a few of the highlights you can expect from your first year:

  • Industry connections:
    We have strong relationships with big names in industry such as GSK, ExxonMobil, Unilever, Johnson, Jacobs Engineering and many more.  We host industry led CV Clinics, guest lectures and an Industrial Dinner, giving Chemical Engineering students plenty of opportunities to network, secure placements and ask questions. These links with industry contribute to our high levels of graduate employability.

  • Peer support:
    Chemical Engineering students are great at supporting each other throughout their studies. We have a Buddy Scheme for all first year students, who are assigned a second year buddy or ‘parent’ who can be approached for academic and social support. We also host PASS sessions (Peer Assisted Study Sessions), which are student led and offer academic support on a weekly basis. You will also meet regularly with your Personal Tutor and our Wellbeing Officer runs weekly drop-ins in the School.

  • Social events:
    A highlight of first year is the Chemical Engineering Welcome Dinner. Held at the beginning of the first term, this is a great way to get to know your fellow course mates from Years 1 and 2. We also have an award winning student society, Birmingham University Chemical Engineering Society (BUCES). Led by students from across all year groups, BUCES organise a wealth of social and academic events for you to get involved in, including Frank Morton – a national sports competition for Chemical Engineering departments, which Birmingham has won more times than any other university!

  • Extra-curricular activities:
    We have an excellent opportunity for students to participate in a leadership and team building course sponsored by BP. The course consists of a two day residential in the Lake District at the start of term in Year 1 with fellow students and staff. This is also a great opportunity to get to know your course mates whilst exploring a beautiful part of the UK! The Guild of Students is also home to over 500 student groups for you to join, which is the perfect way to try something new, make friends and learn new skills.

Hear from our international students

One of the best ways to find out what life is really like as an international Chemical Engineering student is to hear from them! Here, they talk about their experiences and give real insight into student-life at Birmingham. To see full student profiles, as well as, student videos and much more, please see our International Students Information page.  

 

Jin, a Chemical Engineering student

"The best point of my course is the design aspect, as I am able to integrate all the knowledge that I have learned through different modules and execute it on a more practical scale."
Matt, MEng Civil Engineering

Raya, a Chemical Engineering student

"There is a Chemical Engineering Society (BUCES) that allows you to meet fellow students and organises events including an industrial dinner, a winter ball and a sports day."
Raya, MEng Chemical Engineering

Beatrice, a Chemical Engineering student

"The department is so active with industry. We often hear about opportunities for internships or placements with well-known engineering companies." 
Beatrice, MEng Chemical Engineering

Franklin, a Chemical Engineering student

"The School of Chemical Engineering has a good reputation in the UK and though the course is challenging, the School are always really helpful.”
Franklin, MEng Chemical Engineering with industrial year

Key Dates - 2024 UG admission

 

  • September 2023 - UCAS applications open
  • 16th October 2023 (6pm UK time) - Deadlines for applications if your options include Oxford or Cambridge
  • 31st January 2023 (6pm UK time) - Deadline for applications - First places*
  • 28th February 2024 - UCAS Extra opens (see here)
  • 6th June 2024 -  All applicants who received their decisions by 16 May must make their Firm and Insurance choices by this date otherwise all offers will be declined by default.
  • 30th June 2024 - All applications made after this date are entered in to UCAS Clearing
  • 4th July 2024 - Last date to make a UCAS Extra application
  • 5th July 2024 - UCAS Clearing opens. Birmingham Clearing programmes will confirmed in due course - Please note, limited programmes and places will be available in Clearing
  • 5th July 2024 - IB results date
  • 31st July 2024 - Birmingham accommodation application deadline (for Accommodation Guarantee scheme)
  • 15th August 2024 - A level results day. If you're not an A level student, you must send us your results directly
  • 31st August 2024 - Last date to meet any offer condition
  • 21st - 22nd September 2024 - Arrivals weekend
  • 23rd - 27th September 2024 - Welcome Week
  • 30th September 2024 - Semester One teaching begins

For more information on Birmingham term dates, please see here.

*All applications received by this date are given equal consideration. If you apply after this date then we cannot guarantee that we will be able to consider your application depending on the number and quality of applications we received before this UCAS deadline.

** If you apply after this date, your application is automatically entered into Clearing.

For further information on the UCAS process, please visit https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/ucas-undergraduate-when-apply

Contact us

Contact details:
Please view our contact details page.

Social Media:
Twitter: @ChemEngBham and @eps_unibham 
Instagram: @myepslife
Weibo: Weibo 
WeChat: WeChat  

 

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