MEng Biochemical Engineering
About this course
MEng in Biochemical Engineering, a chemical engineering degree centred on the application of engineering principles to biological systems and industrial processes. Core topics include Programming, Mathematical Modelling, and Research Methods. Students undertake a four-year academic curriculum with opportunities to gain practical experience for careers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and bioenergy sectors. The first year covers core subjects such as Introduction to Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bioprocess Analysis, and Thermodynamics. The second year introduces Biochemistry of Protein Production for Biochemical Engineers, Fermentation and Bioreactor Engineering, Heat and Mass Transfer in Bioprocesses, and Downstream Processing for Engineers, alongside optional modules like Intelligent Systems. The third year advances into Bioprocess Plant Design, Biochemical Reaction Engineering, Computer Aided Bioprocess Engineering, and Chemistry and Industrial Biotechnology, with choices ranging from Data Mining and Analysis to Water and Wastewater Treatment. The final year focuses on Vaccine Bioprocessing, Sustainable Industrial Bioprocesses and Biorefineries, Bioprocess Systems Engineering, and Bio-microfluidics and Microsystems Engineering, supported by a mandatory Research Project in Bioprocessing and optional study in areas such as Industrial Synthetic Biology.
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: AAA (Mathematics plus one from Biology, Chemistry or Physics) IB: 38 points (A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including Mathematics at grade 6, plus one from Biology, Chemistry or Physics, with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either ‘Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation’ at higher level.)
What students say
Based on about 106 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 82%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 19 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 30%
- Information Technology Professionals: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 4%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 71%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 20%
- Other qualifications: 5%
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): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Biochemical Engineering
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Bioprocess Analysis
- Fluid Flow and Mixing in Bioprocesses
- Thermodynamics
- Engineering Challenges
- Mathematical Modelling and Analysis 1
- Design and Professional Skills I (Biochemical Engineering)
- Biochemistry of Protein Production for Biochemical Engineers
- Fermentation and Bioreactor Engineering
- Heat and Mass Transfer in Bioprocesses
- Design and Professional Skills II
- Modelling and Analysis II
- Biochemical Engineering Practicals
- Downstream Processing for Engineers
- Manufacturing Regenerative Medicines: from Lab Bench to Industry
- Engineering Mathematics in Finance
- Tech Journalism: Writing, Researching, and Reporting News in Technology, Science, and Engineering
- Introduction to Environmental Engineering
- Inorganic Chemistry for Engineers
- Intelligent Systems
- Introduction to Programming
- Connected Systems
- Introduction to Nanotechnology
- Introduction to Robotics
- Bioprocess Plant Design
- Biochemical Reaction Engineering
- Computer Aided Bioprocess Engineering
- Chemistry and Industrial Biotechnology
- Applied Cell and Molecular Biology
- Advanced Tech Journalism: Analysis and Commentary in Technology, Science, and Engineering
- Advanced Materials, Devices and Manufacturing Processes for Regenerative Medicine
- Design and Manufacture of Regenerative Medicine Drug Products
- Stochastic Calculus and Uncertainty Analysis
- Data Mining and Analysis
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Offshore and Coastal Engineering
- Waste Management and Circular Economy
- Organic Chemistry for Engineers
- From Molecules to Molecular Engineering
- Vaccine Bioprocessing
- Sustainable Industrial Bioprocesses and Biorefineries
- Bioprocess Systems Engineering
- Bio-microfluidics and Microsystems Engineering
- Research Project in Bioprocessing
- Commercialisation of Research Ideas
- Industrial Synthetic Biology
- Bioprocess Validation and Quality Control
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MEng Biochemical Engineering at University College London earn?
The median salary is £36,000 after 15 months, £40,000 after 3 years, £51,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £43,000 and £69,500. The £51,500 median after five years is £9,000 more than the UK median for Chemical, process and energy engineering.
What do graduates of MEng Biochemical Engineering at University College London do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MEng Biochemical Engineering at University College London?
84% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MEng Biochemical Engineering at University College London?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 38 points in the IB. The average entrant had 170 UCAS points.
Is MEng Biochemical Engineering at University College London 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 MEng Biochemical Engineering at University College London?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.