1. Discover chemical engineering
Andy Stoker
Process Safety Consultant

2. Why think about Chemical Engineering?
Benefits include……
Make a real contribution to a sustainable future
Interesting challenges
Excellent job prospects
High earning potential
Variety and challenge
Opportunities to travel and see the world

3. What is chemical engineering about?
Chemical engineering is just about making chemicals or working on an oil rig… right?

4. All these – and more!
Wrong. It’s so much more… chemical engineering touches just about everything we see on a daily basis.

5. So what is chemical engineering?
Combines the most exciting elements of science with the real world application of engineering.
Creates everything from bio-fuels to beauty products, food to fashion and everything in between.

7. What do chemical engineers do?
health &
well-being
energy
food &
drink
Click once to start the four ‘vistas’ to arrive.
All engineers use maths and physics to solve technical problems, but only chemical engineers use chemistry to improve industrial processes in all of these areas.
water

8. Types of work they do:
Typical roles/types of work of IChemE members according to the 2016 salary survey.
Source: responses to the IChemE Member Salary Survey 2016 (UK)

9. Industries they work in:
Plus:
- public sector - Waste management
Consumer goods - finance, insurance & risk
Power generation and fossil fuels - mining and minerals
Health, safety & environment - plastics
Power generation and renewables - iron, steel and other metals
according to respondents of IChemE Salary Survey 2016
Source: responses to the IChemE Member Salary Survey 2016 (UK)

10. Pharmaceuticals Manufacture

11. University practicals

12. What is chemical engineering?
Our modern society relies on the work of chemical engineers
Chemical Engineers:
manage resources
protect the environment
control health and safety procedures
... while developing the processes that make the products we desire or depend on.
Biochemical engineering is used to create products
from new medicines through to renewable energy, as well as
greener solutions to waste treatment.

13. Team Work

14. What is chemical engineering?
Chemicals Engineers work in different roles
Designing chemical plants
Managing plant operations
Testing and improving
Assessing the safety
.....
Usually in teams
Technical people
Commercial, marketing
UK, overseas ...

15. Water & Wastewater treatment

16. Assessing plant performance

17. Real life chemical engineers
Michael Williams works as a Process engineer for Davy Process Technology, and helps develop technologies from the lab through to commissioning.
Bryony Robinson is an Engineer for the Chocolate Global Category Team RD&Q - Process Solutions -
Company: Mondelēz International
Sheida Khajavi is an Oil markets analyst for Shell in The Netherlands, and is responsible for maximising profits across various business units.

18. Natural Gas storage in Cheshire Salt Caverns for Eon (project by Costain of Manchester)

19. Speciality Chemicals made at Rhodia, Oldbury

20. Real Life Chemical Engineers
Allan Rodger works as a Process engineer for Tate and Lyle and has worked on the commissioning of a new refinery in Israel.
Marie Taylor works as a Process engineer for Sellafield Ltd as part of their design and commissioning team.
Matt Wootton works for BP as a Project process engineer looking at the conversion of low cost hydrocarbons into clean transportation fuels.

21. Making ethanol from wheat

22. What makes a good chemical engineer?
Problem solvers, enjoy science and maths.
Looking for a challenge and excited by a degree choice that will help them develop a wide range of skills including……
Specialist scientific knowledge
Project management
Resource management
Health & Safety
Communication skills
Leadership skills IT
Business & legal knowledge
Team Work
All skills which are highly valued by employers, even outside the traditional engineering industries.

23. Process Development

24. Typical route into chemical engineering
Further study MSc, PhD, EngD
BEng/MEng in chemical, process or biochemical engineering
GCSEs/
Standard Grade or equivalent
A-Levels/
Highers/
Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent
Work
Alternative options ie apprenticeships are mentioned in slide 11.

25. General entry requirements
A-levels: A*A*A – BBB
Advanced Highers in maths and chemistry plus at least two other Highers
Irish Leaving Certificate: 400 points including at least a grade C3 in higher level maths
European or International Baccalaureate
Always check specific entry requirements with the university.
This is only a guide but covers most universities – students should check with the relevant university.
A-levels: A*A*A – BBB including maths, chemistry and another science, or;
Advanced Highers in maths and chemistry plus at least two other Highers, or;
Typically 400 points in the Irish Leaving Certificate including at least a grade C3 in higher level maths, or;
Baccalaureate

26. Alternative options university foundation degrees
workplace apprenticeships
Some universities offer foundation degrees for those without the traditional entry subjects.
Chemical engineering is a graduate-level career but entry via an apprenticeship may be possible. Check with employers on how you can progress to the appropriate level/job/career.

27. Chemicals Manufacture

28. Speciality Chemicals Manufacture

29. Is a chemical engineering degree
well recognised?
Chemical engineering degree - well respected in industry and commerce.
Equips you with skills that are easily transferable and graduates invariably take on considerable responsibility within a few years of graduation.
So - job prospects are excellent and often involve the chance to reach senior managerial positions at a young age.

30. British Sugar, East Anglia

31. High earnings potential
Chemical engineering is the third highest paid profession*
Average starting salary: £28,500⁺
Average salary for a Chartered
Chemical Engineer: £68,000⁺
* Source: The Times Graduate Salary Survey September rd highest paid profession after dentistry and medicine
⁺ figures taken from the IChemE Salary Survey 2016
* Source: The Times Graduate Salary Survey September rd highest paid profession after dentistry and medicine
⁺ figures taken from the IChemE Salary Survey 2016

32. Chlorine Manufacture, Runcorn, Cheshire

33. Comments by Chem Eng Graduates in my company
Rob – graduated Loughborough 2011
Laura – graduated Nottingham 2012
Miriam – graduated Manchester 2013
Pleased they chose Chemical Engineering
Choosing Chemical Engineering at school – something of a step into the unknown

34. Thinking about University …
University interviews – two-way!
Location? - Factors? Open Days
IChemE accredited - chartership
Relatively hard work – contact hours
League tables – guide – but not the last word
Course content – clever stuff & basics
Year out in industry? Focus & Understanding
BEng (3 years) / MEng (4 years)

35. How can I find out more?
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