Driven by curiosity. Driving changeBA and MEng in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
Students learn the principles and practice of how chemical engineering and biotechnology are used together to address challenges in areas such as energy, sustainability, healthcare and manufacturing.
The undergraduate course
The course leads to B.A. (3-year course) and M.Eng. (4-year course) degree qualifications in “Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology”. It is designed to teach the scientific principles that underpin the subject and their application to real-world processes and products. The course is accredited by a professional body, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
Course contents
The course deliberately aims to integrate chemical engineering and biotechnology together rather than these being viewed as separate topics.
Students develop a strong grounding in scientific and engineering principles before applying them to consider the processes that make valuable products on a large scale.
- Year 1 focuses on the core scientific and mathematical principles that will underpin studies in later years.
- Year 2 concentrates on the fundamental principles that are used in chemical engineering and biotechnology applications.
- Year 3 continues with chemical engineering and biotechnology applications. It also features a major design project that brings together technical, economic, safety and environmental considerations.
- Year 4 features a major research project together with advanced topics and options.
Practical laboratory skills and computer skills are embedded throughout the course, as are transferable skills and project work.
A more detailed description of course contents is available in the University’s undergraduate prospectus.
Future careers
Graduates of the course are employed in the process industries and a wide range of other areas. Careers can involve
- Using chemical and biological processes to transform molecules into valuable products.
- Designing chemical and biological products for the benefit of society.
- Developing new technologies to facilitate the energy transition away from fossil fuels and to mitigate the effects of climate change.
- Provision of improved healthcare and therapeutics.
- Using systems thinking to improve the sustainability of processes and products.
- Postgraduate study and research.
The focus on fundamental principles and the variety of transferable skills that are acquired means there are plenty of career opportunities outside the chemical and biotechnology industries, as well as within them.
Applicants need to take the following test. The usual deadline for test registration is towards the end of September.
- Engineering and Sciences Admissions Test (ESAT)
https://esat-tmua.ac.uk/about-the-tests/esat-test/
Applicants need to submit their application to UCAS, the UK’s higher education admissions service. The usual deadline for Cambridge applicants is 15 October.
- Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
https://www.ucas.com/applying
Full details on entry requirements and the application process are available in the University’s undergraduate prospectus. This includes
- Course page for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/chemical-engineering-biotechnology-ba-hons-meng - Information on Cambridge Colleges
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/colleges - Information on Cambridge interviews
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/after/cambridge-interviews - Information on fees and finance
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-finance - Information specifically for international students
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-students
Finding out more about the discipline
We recommend that those considering applying for the undergraduate course look at
- DiscoverChemEng: this is the IChemE’s website describing the role of chemical engineers in society. It includes free online access to a Springpod virtual work experience programme.
https://www.icheme.org/education-career/discoverchemeng/
Potential applicants sometimes ask what background reading is helpful. Reading any popular science book is useful to show interest and motivation. There are few books that are specifically on chemical engineering or biotechnology that are at the appropriate level for potential applicants. The most suitable are probably
- A. Solen & J. N. Harb “Introduction to Chemical Engineering” (Wiley, 2010): this is a short book which describes the discipline well and shows the types of calculations undertaken by chemical engineers. It assumes only Year 12 level Chemistry. Don’t be put off by its irritating use of old-fashioned American units.
- Renneberg, D. Süßbier, V. Berkling & V. Loroch “Biotechnology for Beginners” (Academic Press, 2023): this is a fairly long book covering the many uses of biotechnology. It has far more detail than applicants ever need but is suggested here because it is engagingly written, does not assume much biological knowledge, and has plenty of illustrations. You should dip in and out of this book rather than reading it cover-to-cover (which would take a very long time!).
- Le Couteur & J. Burreson “Napoleon’s Buttons: how 17 molecules changed history” (Penguin, 2004): this is a popular science book that gives a delightful account of how chemical products have changed society over time, and so it (indirectly) describes the importance of chemical engineering.
Department facilities and student life
Department Facilities
The Department occupies a relatively new (opened 2016) purpose-built building on the West Cambridge site. Most of the teaching takes place within the Department – the exceptions being the topics “borrowed” from Natural Sciences in year 1 and supervisions that may take place in Colleges.
The Department has all the facilities needed for teaching (lecture theatres, a teaching laboratory, a computer suite and project rooms) with library resources within a 5 minute walk. The Department has a Makerspace area that is used by its students – this is a workshop with 3D printers and other mechanical and electronic equipment. Depending on the topic of the fourth-year research project, students may have access to state-of-the-art research equipment in the Department laboratories.
The Department has a large social area, shared by all students and staff, with tea, coffee and refreshments available. This is particularly popular at 11 o’clock during a break between lectures.
Student life
Undergraduates are members of a Cambridge College, the Department and the wider University.
- Each College provides accommodation, meals, facilities (including libraries), pastoral support and a social base that is multidisciplinary in nature. Colleges organise the small-group teaching that is known in Cambridge as supervisions. Each College has a range of student societies and activities within it.
- The Department does the bulk of the teaching – lectures, practical classes, projects, and all the formal assessment and examining. The Department prides itself on being friendly and welcoming to all students. 65-70 undergraduates are admitted to the undergraduate course each year from a range of nationalities and backgrounds – in 2025-26, 30% of our undergraduates were international students, and 37% identified as female. There is a student-run society (CUCES) based in the Department that organises social and careers events.
- The University as a whole is the grouping of Colleges, Departments, and support services. The central University provides libraries, a careers service, and disability, mental health and wellbeing support. There is an enormous range of student societies at University level, with activities in sports, music, drama, politics, religion and culture, community and charity, and games and hobbies.
Find out more
Visit the main course page on the University of Cambridge Undergraduate Admissions website to find details on entry requirements, how to apply and life at Cambridge.
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