Discover the top UK universities for Chemical Engineering in 2026. Our rankings highlight institutions excelling in teaching, research, and graduate employability with great student life.
Best Universities for Chemical Engineering: Unifresher Student Rankings 2026
The top universities earn Gold, Silver, and Bronze badges based on student satisfaction, graduate employability, teaching quality, and value for money. For full details, see our Ranking Methodology below.
| Rank | University | Academic | Social |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gold | University of Manchester | 95 | 85 |
| 2 Silver | University of Cambridge | 94 | 75 |
| 3 Bronze | Imperial College London | 93 | 70 |
| 4 | University of Leeds | 89 | 82 |
| 5 | University of Sheffield | 90 | 80 |
| 6 | University of Edinburgh | 87 | 78 |
| 7 | University of Nottingham | 88 | 79 |
| 8 | University of Glasgow | 86 | 81 |
| 9 | University of Birmingham | 85 | 77 |
| 10 | University of Southampton | 84 | 75 |
1. University of Manchester Gold
2. University of Cambridge Silver
3. Imperial College London Bronze
4. University of Leeds
5. University of Sheffield
6. University of Edinburgh
7. University of Nottingham
8. University of Glasgow
9. University of Birmingham
10. University of Southampton
How We Ranked These Universities
Our Chemical Engineering rankings blend academic excellence with student lifestyle factors to showcase the best places to study.
- Academic (40%): Graduate employability, teaching quality, research output, entry standards
- Social & Lifestyle (60%): Cost of living, nightlife, cost of a pint and Uber, crime rate, student satisfaction
- Data Sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS, WhatUni, and Unifresher’s student surveys
- Weighting: Scores out of 100; ties broken by academic score.
Top-Ranked Chemical Engineering Universities Explained
University of Cambridge
Renowned for cutting-edge research, academic excellence, and outstanding industry links.
Imperial College London
Strong focus on innovation and graduate employability, with excellent facilities.
University of Manchester
Well-rounded experience combining top teaching quality and vibrant campus life.
University of Leeds
Known for practical learning, supportive staff, and good social opportunities.
University of Nottingham
Great research output and strong student satisfaction.
University of Sheffield
Affordable city with solid academic performance and student support.
University of Birmingham
Strong industry connections and good graduate outcomes.
University of Edinburgh
High student satisfaction and excellent mental health support.
University of Bath
Balanced academic and social life with excellent placement opportunities.
University of Bristol
Respected for academic rigor and lively student community.
Career Prospects After a Chemical Engineering Degree
Graduates typically work in pharmaceuticals, energy, manufacturing, and environmental sectors. Explore related courses like Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering.
Chemical Engineering Course Requirements & Entry Standards
Entry usually requires strong grades in Chemistry and Maths, with UCAS points between 140-160. Check individual uni requirements on our entry requirements guide.
Cheapest Cities to Study Chemical Engineering in the UK
Sheffield, Leeds, and Birmingham offer great value for living and studying engineering courses.
Best Chemical Engineering Unis for Nightlife & Social Life
Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol boast active student unions and vibrant nightlife scenes.
Student Wellbeing, Mental Health & Study Support
Universities like Edinburgh, Bath, and Sheffield provide excellent mental health services and study support.
Not Sure About Chemical Engineering? Consider These Alternatives
Try Biomedical Science, Environmental Science, or Physics.
Summary: Which Chemical Engineering Uni is Right for You?
Think about your career goals, course content, and the balance between academics and social life. Bookmark this page to compare your options easily.
FAQs on the Best UK Universities for Chemical Engineering
Top UK universities for Chemical Engineering include Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, and University of Manchester. Our 2026 rankings highlight universities excelling in student satisfaction and research impact.
Imperial College London often leads the rankings thanks to its cutting-edge research and strong industry links in Chemical Engineering.
A Chemical Engineering degree opens doors to careers in pharmaceuticals, energy, manufacturing, and environmental sectors, with excellent graduate salaries and job prospects.
The UK is renowned for Chemical Engineering, but the USA, Germany, and Canada also offer strong programs depending on your career goals.
Most courses require A-levels in Maths, Chemistry, and often Physics. Check university course pages for specific entry requirements.
Graduates work in sectors like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, environmental engineering, manufacturing, and consultancy.
Yes, with growing focus on sustainability and clean energy, demand for Chemical Engineering graduates remains strong across industries.
Starting salaries typically range between £28,000 and £35,000, with experienced engineers earning significantly more.
Courses with intense focus on process design and advanced mathematics are considered most challenging. Talking to current students helps gauge difficulty.
Graduates work in energy firms, chemical manufacturers, environmental consultancies, and research institutions.
Yes, Chemical Engineering is highly respected worldwide, especially from top UK universities known for innovation and research.
Unifresher Team
Led by our editors and co-founder, we apply student-first principles and editorial rigour to shape each ranking.
Student Writers
Over 20 student writers and contributors from across UK universities help define what really matters to students.
Expert Panel
We bring in specialists from sustainability founders to employability coaches to help shape categories with depth and credibility.
Our judging combines real student input with expert guidance. Here’s how:
- Public nominations: Through our homepage form, with responses from our student users.
- Social polls: Shared on our Instagram and TikTok channels (20,000+ followers).
- Student panel: 20+ student contributors guide how each category reflects real priorities.
- Editorial team: Our founder and senior editors bring experience in youth-focused media and ranking design.
- Expert advisors: Each award features insight from a relevant industry or academic figure.
This ensures each ranking is transparent, meaningful, and powered by those it’s meant to serve: students.
✅ Why You Can Trust This Ranking
- Data-backed: Official sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS
- Student-led: Over 1,000 UK students surveyed
- Balanced scoring: 40% academic + 60% student life
- Independently verified: No sponsored placements, ever
- Reviewed by editors: All results checked for fairness & accuracy
- Updated for 2025: Last checked
