Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
About this course
BA (Hons) and MEng in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, a chemical engineering degree centred on the scientific and practical foundations of process and product development. Core topics include Engineering Design, Data Analysis. Students can graduate with a BA after three years or continue for a fourth year to obtain the MEng, with the four-year route accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers. The first year covers introductory chemical engineering and biotechnology principles alongside chemistry, mathematics, and computing skills, supplemented by an engineering design and manufacturing workshop. The second year introduces biotechnology, process thermodynamics, and heat and mass transfer, supported by data analysis, laboratory classes, and an engineering design and manufacturing project. The third year advances into reaction engineering, separation technology, and process dynamics and control, focusing on equipment specification, safety, environmental impact, and economic assessment. The fourth year offers advanced study in topics such as energy technology, sustainability, advanced design, pharmaceutical engineering, computational fluid dynamics, and bionanotechnology.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*A*A IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level . To apply to any of our Colleges for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, you will need A levels/IB Higher Levels (or the equivalent) in: Mathematics Chemistry a third science/mathematics subject (Biology, Physics or Further Mathematics) If you’re studying a science that’s not listed as your third subject, please contact the College you wish to apply to for advice. If you’re studying IB Higher Level Mathematics, we ask for Analysis and Approaches for this course. If this isn’t an option at your school, contact the College you wish to apply to for advice.
What students say
Based on about 21 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 91%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started
- Continued on course: 98%
- Left higher education: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 25%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Information Technology Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 12%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 15%
- London: 41%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 65 students who started
- A levels: 94%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Chemical Engineer.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Fundamental scientific topics such as cell biology, materials science and engineering principles
- Introductory chemical engineering and biotechnology principles. For example, sustainability, process calculations, fluid mechanics, and chemical and biochemical product design
- Chemistry from Part IA of Natural Sciences
- Mathematics from Part IA of Natural Sciences
- complete an engineering design and manufacturing workshop
- do the chemistry practical laboratory class from Part IA of Natural Sciences
- undertake classes in computing skills, including process simulation
- attend workshops on professional and transferable skills
- fundamental principles like biotechnology, process thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat and mass transfer
- introductory applications. For example, reaction engineering, separations and solids processing
- supporting topics like engineering mathematics, data analysis, and safety principles
- laboratory classes in chemical engineering and biotechnology
- assessed projects throughout the year
- classes in computing skills, including process simulation
- an engineering design and manufacturing project
- professional and transferable skills workshops
- advanced biotechnology
- equilibrium thermodynamics
- reaction engineering
- separation technology
- process dynamics and control
- reviewing methods for making the product and choosing between them
- specification of equipment
- control procedures
- safety and environmental impact
- economic assessment
- energy technology
- sustainability
- advanced design
- pharmaceutical engineering
- adsorption and nanoporous materials
- computational fluid dynamics
- interface engineering
- optical microscopy
- biophysics
- bionanotechnology
- biosensors and bioelectronics
- rheology and complex fluids
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at University of Cambridge earn?
The median salary is £37,000 after 15 months, £43,000 after 3 years, £55,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £43,000 and £79,500. The £55,500 median after five years is £13,000 more than the UK median for Chemical, process and energy engineering.
What do graduates of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at University of Cambridge do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at University of Cambridge?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at University of Cambridge?
The typical offer is A*A*A at A level, or 41 points in the IB. The average entrant had 219 UCAS points.
Is Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at University of Cambridge accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Chemical Engineer.
How many students continue on Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at University of Cambridge?
98% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.