Chemical Engineering with Biotechnology: The University of Manchester

Course description

Chemical Engineering concerns the science, technology and management involved in making the materials and products needed by the society.

You learn about chemical, physical and biological processes using mathematical equations as well as learning about the equipment and techniques used by industry for large-scale manufacturing and the safety issues surrounding the industry.

As well as core chemical engineering, you choose a specialist subject in Biotechnology. Here you consider the science of living organisms and systems and how they are translated into economic and safe products and processes.

Examples include the manufacture of medicines, the use of genetic engineering to treat illnesses, food processing, treating industrial and human waste and finding ways to use renewable resources. The programmes are very flexible so you can find out what interests you and what you are best at before you choose your specialist subjects.

Career opportunities

Many graduates enter roles in industry as design engineers, consultants or undertake research and development of new products. Others use the skills they have gained for a career in non chemical-engineering sectors such as business, finance, marketing, banking, insurance, accountancy and IT.

Many graduates move into senior management. Fields are as diverse as food and drink, chemicals, oil, gas and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, toiletries, energy generation and disposal of waste. Specialists in biotechnology are particularly in demand in the fields of healthcare, nutrition and the environment.

Entry requirements

• English language: For example, GCSE grade C or above, IELTS: an overall band score of at least 6, with at least 5 in each component, TOEFL: a score of at least 540 in the paper test, 207 in the computer test or 76 in the internet test.
• A level: Grades AAB. This should include Mathematics, a science subject and one other academic subject. This excludes General studies.
• Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.
• GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language, Mathematics and either Physics, Chemistry or Double Award Science.
• Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University.
• International Baccalaureate: 35 points overall including 17 points at the Higher level including Mathematics and one other science subject.