Best Universities for Chemical Engineering in the UK 2027
Swansea University ranks first for chemical engineering in 2027, followed by Newcastle University in second and the University of Bath in third. The Unifresher ranking compares 30 universities using eight measures built around academic outcomes and the complete student experience.
Chemical engineering combines mathematics, science and engineering to design safe, efficient processes at industrial scale. Choosing a course means comparing technical depth, laboratories, design projects and accreditation, but also the support, costs and university environment that shape several demanding years of study.
Why this ranking is student-first: Unifresher combines transparent teaching and career data with affordability, safety, social life and sustainability. This creates a broader comparison than reputation or graduate salary alone.
Top universities for chemical engineering in 2027
The podium combines strong course delivery with different career and location profiles. Swansea leads overall, Newcastle records the strongest support result in the top three, and Bath has the highest graduate-earnings figure on the podium.
Swansea University
Swansea
The strongest complete result, with 93% academic support, 79% satisfaction and £31,500 graduate earnings.
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
Second overall, with 92% teaching quality and £32,000 graduate earnings.
University of Bath
Bath
Third overall, pairing 80% satisfaction with 90% teaching quality and 95% academic support.
How the chemical engineering ranking works
Eight measures create a fuller comparison
Unifresher combines academic and graduate results with the practical factors students experience throughout university. This helps applicants compare both the engineering degree and the place where they will live, study and complete major technical projects.
Chemical Engineering University Rankings 2027
Search or sort all 30 universities. Sorting changes the comparison order only; every university's official published rank remains in the first column.
| Rank | University | Graduate earnings | Satisfaction | Teaching | Academic support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swansea University Swansea | £31,500 | 79% | 94% | 93% | 116 |
| 2 | Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne | £32,000 | 75% | 92% | 96% | 104 |
| 3 | University of Bath Bath | £33,500 | 80% | 90% | 95% | 98 |
| 4 | University of Edinburgh Edinburgh | £35,000 | 74% | 91% | 93% | 96 |
| 5 | Lancaster University Lancaster | £30,000 | 82% | 88% | 92% | 91 |
| 6 | University of Huddersfield Huddersfield | £25,000 | 74% | 95% | 97% | 90 |
| 7 | Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh | £32,000 | 75% | 93% | 94% | 83 |
| 7 | University of Leeds Leeds | £32,000 | 74% | 75% | 88% | 83 |
| 8 | University of Sheffield Sheffield | £34,500 | 75% | 83% | 81% | 81 |
| 8 | University of Manchester Manchester | £32,000 | 70% | 82% | 88% | 81 |
| 8 | University of Exeter Exeter | £33,000 | 79% | 59% | 68% | 81 |
| 9 | Teesside University Middlesbrough | £30,000 | 78% | 98% | 100% | 80 |
| 10 | Brunel University London Uxbridge | £31,000 | 68% | 91% | 100% | 79 |
| 10 | University of Nottingham Nottingham | £34,500 | 74% | 84% | 89% | 79 |
| 11 | University of Birmingham Birmingham | £35,000 | 72% | 88% | 90% | 76 |
| 11 | University of Bradford Bradford | £29,000 | 71% | 88% | 90% | 76 |
| 11 | Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield | £30,000 | 73% | 78% | 85% | 76 |
| 11 | Canterbury Christ Church University Canterbury | £30,000 | 73% | 77% | 85% | 76 |
| 12 | University of Surrey Guildford | £32,000 | 78% | 86% | 83% | 75 |
| 13 | University of Aberdeen Aberdeen | £35,000 | 76% | 84% | 82% | 74 |
| 14 | University of Chester Chester | £31,000 | 78% | 69% | 96% | 72 |
| 15 | University of the West of Scotland Glasgow | £30,000 | 73% | 87% | 97% | 71 |
| 15 | University of Strathclyde Glasgow | £34,500 | 75% | 85% | 80% | 71 |
| 16 | University of Hull Hull | £30,000 | 76% | 98% | 86% | 67 |
| 16 | University of Southampton Southampton | £33,000 | 76% | 89% | 77% | 67 |
| 17 | University of Greenwich London | £30,000 | 69% | 80% | 78% | 58 |
| 17 | UCL (University College London) London | £34,000 | 68% | 64% | 79% | 58 |
| 18 | Queen Mary University of London London | £30,000 | 69% | 80% | 82% | 55 |
| 19 | London South Bank University London | £31,000 | 68% | 75% | 95% | 43 |
| 20 | University of Wolverhampton Wolverhampton | £30,000 | 71% | 76% | 82% | 40 |
What the chemical engineering ranking shows
Swansea ranks first
Swansea University leads with a score of 116 and strong results across teaching, support and satisfaction.
Three universities share the lead
Edinburgh, Birmingham and Aberdeen each record graduate earnings of £35,000.
Lancaster University
Lancaster records the strongest student-satisfaction result at 82% and ranks fifth.
Teesside and Hull
Teesside University and the University of Hull both record 98% for teaching quality.
Teesside and Brunel
Teesside University and Brunel University London both reach 100% for academic support.
Median earnings are £31,750
The midpoint across all 30 graduate-earnings figures is £31,750.
What this ranking tells you about studying chemical engineering
Chemical engineering courses normally combine mathematics, thermodynamics, fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, process control, safety, sustainability and large design projects. Programmes can still differ substantially in their practical facilities, industrial sectors, software, placement structure and balance between theory and application.
Swansea leads through a balanced result
Swansea ranks first with 94% teaching quality, 93% academic support and 79% satisfaction. Newcastle follows with the strongest support result in the podium, while Bath combines third place with £33,500 graduate earnings. The ranking shows why course delivery, student life and career outcomes should be considered together.
Why Unifresher looks beyond prestige: chemical engineering students experience intensive technical teaching, group design work, laboratories, living costs and support throughout the degree. Combining those measures creates a more realistic comparison than using research reputation alone.
Huddersfield demonstrates the value of reading individual metrics
Huddersfield ranks sixth despite the lowest earnings figure in the table at £25,000. Its 95% teaching quality and 97% academic support are among the strongest course-delivery results in the ranking. Students who prioritise teaching and support should compare those strengths directly rather than dismissing the course based on one career measure.
The highest earnings figures appear at different ranking positions
Edinburgh, Birmingham and Aberdeen each record £35,000. Edinburgh ranks fourth, Birmingham shares 11th and Aberdeen ranks 13th. Sheffield, Nottingham and Strathclyde follow at £34,500. The variation shows why graduate earnings are useful but cannot describe the complete academic and student experience.
IChemE accreditation must be checked at programme level
IChemE accredits individual chemical, biochemical and process engineering programmes, not universities as a whole. Use the Engineering Council course search to check the exact title, qualification level, intake and accreditation outcome. A related engineering degree at the same institution may not carry the same recognition.
An accredited MEng supports the academic route to CEng
An IChemE-accredited integrated MEng can fully meet the academic requirement for Chartered Engineer registration. An accredited BEng commonly meets part of that requirement, with additional assessed learning needed to reach the full educational benchmark. Chartered status also requires demonstrated professional competence and commitment after university.
Process safety should be visible throughout the course
Ask how students learn hazard identification, risk assessment, inherently safer design, operability, human factors and professional responsibility. Safety should not appear only in one isolated module; it should influence laboratory work, design decisions and the way students evaluate complete processes.
Placements and design projects reveal how applied the degree is
Compare whether placement years are guaranteed, competitive or self-arranged and which industries host students. Review the final design project carefully: it should require students to integrate process design, economics, sustainability, control and safety rather than treating each area separately.
Entry requirements vary more than broad advice suggests
Mathematics is commonly required, while universities differ on whether Chemistry, Physics or another STEM subject must accompany it. Foundation years and alternative qualifications are available at some institutions. Always check the exact 2027 entry requirements rather than relying on a general subject guide.
Graduate earnings need context
The table ranges from £25,000 to £35,000, with a median of £31,000. HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after course completion. Individual outcomes vary according to sector, location, placement experience, professional development, further study and the type of engineering or non-engineering role entered.
How to use the ranking when choosing a chemical engineering degree
Verify IChemE accreditation for the exact course
Check the programme title, BEng or MEng level, intake year and whether it fully or partially meets the academic requirements for registration.
Compare laboratories, software and design projects
Review process simulation, control, practical work, plant design, group projects and how students integrate safety and sustainability.
Investigate placements and employer sectors
Ask how placements are secured, which industries participate, whether roles are paid and what technical responsibility students receive.
Check sector focus and optional modules
Compare energy, pharmaceuticals, food, biochemical engineering, materials, water and sustainable process options against your interests.
Related Unifresher rankings and student guides
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best university for chemical engineering in the UK in 2027?
Swansea University ranks first in the 2027 Unifresher chemical engineering ranking with an overall score of 116. Newcastle University is second with 104, and the University of Bath is third with 98.
How many universities are included in the chemical engineering ranking?
The published 2027 Unifresher chemical engineering ranking compares 30 universities across eight academic, career and student-experience measures. All 30 universities and every supplied result appear in the table.
What graduate earnings are shown for chemical engineering?
The graduate-earnings figures range from £25,000 to £35,000, with a median of £31,750 across the 30 universities. Edinburgh, Birmingham and Aberdeen share the highest figure at £35,000. These are comparative graduate outcomes rather than guaranteed starting salaries.
When are graduate outcomes measured?
HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after students complete their higher education studies. The figures describe outcomes at that survey point, not salaries six months after graduation.
Why does IChemE accreditation matter?
IChemE accredits individual chemical, biochemical and process engineering programmes rather than entire universities. Accreditation can show how a named course contributes towards the academic requirements for professional registration. Check the exact programme, qualification level and intake in the current Engineering Council course search.
Should I choose a BEng or MEng in chemical engineering?
An IChemE-accredited integrated MEng can fully meet the academic requirement for Chartered Engineer registration. An accredited BEng commonly meets part of that academic requirement, with further learning needed for the full CEng educational benchmark. Professional registration also requires evidence of competence and commitment, so neither qualification creates chartership automatically.
What should I look for in a chemical engineering degree?
Compare mathematics and science content, laboratory work, process design, thermodynamics, transport processes, reaction engineering, control, process safety, sustainability, simulation software, design projects, placements, IChemE accreditation, teaching and academic support.
What subjects do I need for chemical engineering?
Requirements vary by university and course. Mathematics is commonly required, and many programmes also ask for Chemistry or Physics, but acceptable combinations differ. Check the exact entry requirements for every course rather than assuming one subject combination applies across the ranking.
Is a placement year useful for chemical engineering?
A strong placement can help students apply process, safety, quality and technical skills in an industrial environment. Placements are often competitive rather than guaranteed, so ask how roles are sourced, which sectors host students, whether placements are paid and what support is provided.
Why does Unifresher include student-life measures in a chemical engineering ranking?
Chemical engineering involves demanding technical study, laboratory work and major design projects. Unifresher combines teaching, support and graduate outcomes with affordability, safety, social life and sustainability so students can compare both the engineering course and the environment in which they will study.
Ranking, accreditation and course information
- Unifresher university rankings methodology for the eight measures and subject-ranking process.
- HESA Graduate Outcomes 2023/24 for the approximately 15-month survey point.
- IChemE accredited degree information for programme-level accreditation guidance.
- Engineering Council course search for checking the exact qualification, intake and registration level.
- Engineering Council Chartered Engineer guidance for the academic and professional requirements of CEng registration.
- UCAS chemical engineering guide for current course research and entry requirements.
