Process and Chemical Engineering (BE (Hons)) at University College Cork

The first year of the BE is a broad education in engineering fundamentals. At the end of the first year you can choose to enter Process and Chemical Engineering. Your chosen area of specialization in second year will also offer a route to Process and Chemical Engineering at Masters (ME) level. At the end of a successful 3rd year, students enter 4th year, to embark on a pathway to either the 5 year Integrated ME for eligible students or exiting after four years with a BE(Hons). The ME pathway incorporates a Professional Work Placement that takes place during the 2nd semester of Year 4 and during the summer break (8 months).

Process and Chemical Engineers are involved in the design, modification and operation of processes to produce products across a broad range of process industries, including bio/pharmaceuticals,  food and drinks production, bulk chemicals and fuels/energy. Process and Chemical engineering helps provide a pathway towards meeting societal requirements around health and wellbeing, energy provision, food production, water supply, waste management and consumer goods.

The Process and Chemical Engineering degree (CK600PCE) is accredited at full MEng level by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and by Engineers Ireland. It is an award-winning degree, recognised as world class in the area of chemical engineering sustainability by virtue of the conferring of the ‘Sustainability Teaching Award’ by the UK Institution of Chemical Engineers in 2017.

Particular strengths of the degree at UCC include:

• small class sizes (40)
• excellent staff-student interaction with staff who care that you enjoy the course and who ensure that the course provides you with all you need to have a rewarding career dynamic course content reflecting an evolving industrial environment
• strong links to a variety of industies, including a salaried eight-month work placement as a chemical engineer
• modules on key topics relating to Process and Chemical Engineering, plus communication and teamwork skills, innovation, sustainability, data analytics, bioprocesses, ethics and safety
• electives on both Energy & Environmental and Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical pools available.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

The five year integrated ME programme includes an eight-month salaried work placement in industry based in Ireland or abroad (the four year BE programme has a corresponding three-month optional work placement). During this placement, you will gain excellent hands-on experience as a chemical/process engineer, as well as making valuable industry contacts. Opportunities also exist for academically strong students to spend a period in an institution abroad, receiving full credits for the work done there towards your degree.

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates of this course can look forward to strong employment prospects in bio/pharmaceuticals, food and drinks, or energy sectors, in environmental and technical services (including engineering consultancy), medical devices, education or finance and management.

Over the past several years all our graduates have gained employment within six to nine months after graduating, according to the Careers Service First Destination Report.

The degree is internationally accredited by both the Institution of Chemical Engineers and Engineers Ireland. Graduates are well equipped to work in transdisciplinary teams, across a wide range of industry and business sectors and on a global basis.

Since 2013, engineering graduates with a BE require an additional one-year Masters-level qualification (or equivalent) as well as relevant professional experience to be eligible to apply for Chartered membership of Engineers Ireland. The integrated ME facilitates this.