BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at the University of Surrey
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year at University of Surrey leads to a nationally recognised bachelor's degree and has received Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
About this course
Surrey is among the top ranked UK universities for chemical engineering. Read about our connections to industry, facilities and chemical engineering courses. From the provider’s course page.
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year is a Bachelor's degree (BEng (Hons)) at the University of Surrey. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Chemical, process and energy engineering graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1, Semester 1 4 modules
- ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND SUSTAINABILITYCompulsory
Module details
The Materials element of this module provides an introduction to a range of common material properties and outlines major classes of material. The Sustainability element provides an introduction to the fundamentals of sustainability and its engineering applications.
- SCIENCE PRINCIPLES FOR ENGINEERSCompulsory
Module details
This module is designed to give students entering the Chemical Engineering programmes a sufficient grounding in Physics, Chemistry and Cell Biology. An introduction of certain aspects of Physics is necessary as background to the fluid and particle mechanics taught in the course. An introduction to the essential basics of cell biology and chemical kinetics is required by all chemical engineers working in the environmental, pharma and related industries. We start with an overview of cell biology a
- MASS AND ENERGY BALANCESCompulsory
Module details
The conservation of both Mass and Energy are fundamentals on which all Chemical Processing is based. Being able to properly formulate and solve material and energy balances and in so doing integrate and interpret physical property data from different sources and in a variety of different units is an essential skills for an engineer. The module covers the fundamental concept used when analysing the mass and energy flows in chemical processing and allows students to apply them to the analysis of a
- ENGINEERING MATHEMATICSCompulsory
Module details
Mathematics is the best tool we have to gain a quantitative understanding of engineering sciences. This module is designed briefly to revise and then to extend A-level Mathematics material, and to introduce students to mathematical techniques to support future engineering modules.
Year 1, Semester 2 4 modules
- TRANSFERABLE AND LABORATORY SKILLSCompulsory
Module details
This module consists of two parts. The first part, Laboratory Skills, contains experiments selected so as to support other parts of the level 1 curriculum and to develop a range of generic skills including practical laboratory skills, data handling and understanding experimental uncertainty. The second part, Transferable skills, is focused on academic research skills, writing skills and presentation skills. Students will also be instructed in responsible and ethical use of Generative AI tools. T
- MATHEMATICS 2Compulsory
Module details
Mathematics is an essential tool to understand and solve real-world engineering problems. This module builds on the mathematical foundations from MAT1044 Engineering Mathematics to introduce and explore more advanced mathematical concepts and methods relevant to a wide range of engineering applications.
- FLUID MECHANICS & THERMODYNAMICSCompulsory
Module details
First year common module in thermo-fluids for MES + Chemical Engineering students. FLUID MECHANICS: The basic concepts underlying fluid flows and behaviour are described together with simple fluid properties. The calculation of static fluid forces is the starting point before moving to dynamic fluid effects including mass-flow and energy conservation. Non-dimensional analysis methods, laminar and turbulent flows and pipe system analysis are considered, including fluid friction, momentum and ener
- INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRYCompulsory
Module details
The module provides an overview of the industrial production of major chemicals at the larger scale, and their use in society. This includes aspects of chemical processes including economics, societal effects, health and safety, and engineering. The module also introduces the numerous interlinked chemical processes, both natural and anthropogenic, that take place within the Earth's environment. This includes coverage of the impact they may have for life on Earth along with potential solutions to
Year 2, Semester 1 4 modules
- SEPARATION PROCESSES 1 AND HYSYSCompulsory
Module details
This module provides an introduction to separation processes in general, but with particular emphasis on equilibrium staged separations of binary mixtures. Processes covered include binary distillation, liquid-liquid extraction and gas absorption and desorption in tray columns. This gives students an appreciation of what lies beneath chemical engineering flow-sheeting and design software packages. This appreciation is enhanced by hands on experience with HYSYS, an industry standard chemical engi
- HEAT TRANSFER AND LABORATORYCompulsory
Module details
Heat Transfer: Knowledge of heat transfer is vital for Chemical Engineers. In order to effectively design and operate many unit operations, such as heat exchangers and reactors, a sound understanding of the fundamentals of heat transfer is required. This part of the module is intended to introduce students to the basic mechanisms of heat transfer and to allow them to apply this understanding to the design of heat exchangers. The laboratory element extends upon the skills developed in FHEQ Level
- COMPUTATION FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERSCompulsory
Module details
There is an increasing demand in the chemical and process engineering industry for computational tools to collect and analyse data, design, simulate and automate processes. To keep up with the development and implementation of new technological tools, the content new chemical engineers are taught needs to keep up with this constant change. This module builds on the modules ENG1084 Mathematics 1, ENG1085 Mathematics 2 and ENG1083 Transferable Skills and Laboratory Skills from FHEQ level 4 and con
- ENGINEERING SYSTEMS AND MANAGEMENTCompulsory
Module details
The Engineering Systems sub-module introduces students to the systems approach for engineering design and analysis. It provides an introduction to the steps involved in chemical process design with detail on the preparation of graphical representations of processes i.e. BFDs, PFDs, and P&IDs. The design of pressure vessels is also covered. The Engineering Management sub-module provides an introduction to company financing, operation, pricing and costing, accounting and reporting, marketing, proj
Year 2, Semester 2 1 modules
- CONTROLCompulsory
Module details
Today, control systems are widely used in engineering applications. Simple machines like a water dispenser and complex systems like a formula 1 car, an airliner, or a chemical production plant, all rely on control systems.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course gives you a broad foundation in engineering before specialising in chemical processes. You'll usually start with engineering mathematics, mechanics and materials, and design fundamentals, building the core tools and methods. Year 2 typically moves into thermodynamics, fluids, engineering analysis and computing, alongside a team design project. From Year 3, you'll choose specialisations such as mechanical engineering, electrical & electronic systems, civil & structural engineering, robotics & mechatronics, energy & sustainability, or pursue the Chartered (CEng) pathway. In parallel, you'll study professional practice, safety, ethics, sustainability and project management, and complete an individual design or research project that forms the degree's centrepiece.
Who it's for
This course suits those with strong science and mathematics foundations who wish to pursue chemical engineering. The foundation year provides additional support for students whose prior qualifications may not fully prepare them for degree-level study. It's designed for full-time learners committed to developing both theoretical knowledge and practical engineering competence over four years.
Careers & job market
Across engineering courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 80% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries typically range from £29,000 to £35,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £33,150–£46,800 after five years. These figures reflect broader labour-market outcomes rather than guarantees specific to this institution.
University & format
This BEng (Hons) is studied full-time over 4 years at The University of Surrey, a public university founded in 1966. Teaching is in English. The degree is recognised by the UK degree-awarding body framework. Surrey holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is. The course is accredited for the Chartered (CEng) pathway, allowing you to progress towards professional registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code H802). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Surrey →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £32,000 | £30,000 – £38,000 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £33,500 | £29,000 – £38,000 | 65 |
| 5 years after | £41,000 | £37,000 – £50,000 | 70 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally
National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 45% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 50; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year worth it?
Generally yes. On its graduates’ median earnings, BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year is worth about +£130,840 more over the first ten years of work than going straight to a job, a solid return once you net out the fees.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 4 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 12.3. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 4 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Engineering & manufacturing firms
- Automotive & aerospace
- Energy & utilities
- Defence & consultancies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Engineering graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.0 out of 10: NSS 83.7% · in work or study 95% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Surrey
Engineering and technology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Surrey
1,620 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Engineering right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Surrey from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £27,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Surrey’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Surrey and gov.uk before you apply.
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How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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