Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

The Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology course at Cambridge enjoys a reputation for excellence in its teaching and research, regularly topping national league tables. The department is small enough for everyone to know each other, but large enough to provide excellent facilities.

The Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology course at Cambridge is a fully IChemE accredited 4-year undergraduate course leading to BA and MEng qualifications, with the option to graduate after three years with the BA degree. The Department has strong links with industry and graduates of the course are very much in demand. The MEng Degree satisfies the academic requirements for full membership to the Institution of Chemical Engineers, part of the process of achieving Chartered Engineer status.

The majority of teaching (lectures, practicals, project work) occurs within the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology on the West Cambridge site (a 10 minute cycle from Magdalene). It is one of the newest department buildings in Cambridge and offers students a smart, contemporary space in which to learn, research and collaborate with others. 

At Magdalene we aim to take 3-4 chemical engineers per year. College teaching takes the form of hour-long supervisions in groups of 2 or 3 given by the Chemical Engineering Fellows of the College and additional supervisors who are fellows at other colleges and PhD students in relevant research groups. Undergraduates would expect to receive about two or three hours of supervision per week. In addition, at least twice a term, students receive a 1 to 1 meeting with their Director of Studies. There is normally an annual dinner for all undergraduates reading Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at Magdalene as well as several other social events throughout the academic year including a termly tea and cake afternoons where students can enjoy a brief moment of calm and catch up with other chemical engineers and biotechnologists in College and their Director of Studies, which has proven popular with undergraduates.

Many Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology graduates go on to work for international companies and the opportunities for travel and working abroad are widespread. Graduates from the Department have reached very senior positions in a wide range of companies; their achievements have clearly been based on technical expertise. They have the opportunity to play an important role in global issues and find employment in: energy, utilities and the environment, food and personal goods, information technology, pharmaceuticals, consultancy and bulk and fine chemicals, whilst some continue in higher education to undertake research. The multi-disciplinary and quantitative nature of the subject has resulted in some graduates being successful in finance and the city including diverse fields such as journalism, banking and law.

Deferred entry

Potential Chemical and Biochemical Engineers are encouraged to obtain industrial sponsorship and the College has an open attitude concerning taking a year off following school to gain relevant experience before coming up to Cambridge.

 More details of the course and the optional papers available can be found on the University’s Undergraduate Study pages and the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology website. 

Chemical and Biochemical engineers develop processes for making, separating and recycling chemicals, bioproducts and materials for the benefit of society. This requires skills in a wide range of scientific disciplines. We are looking therefore for applicants who can demonstrate a mature interest in such matters, and who have taken appropriate steps to familiarise themselves with associated areas (energy, environment healthcare, sustainability, risk and safety etc.). This is likely to involve some general knowledge of scientific areas in addition to those studied at A-level (or equivalent). Chemical and Biochemical engineers need to size and cost processes, so a high level of competence in numeracy and order of magnitude is essential, supported by skills in applied mathematics.

Chemical and Biochemical engineers need to solve new problems; so we are looking for people who are excellent problem solvers, who can think “out of the box”, propose novel solutions to unfamiliar situations and make sensible approximations and assumptions when no data is available.

Finally we are looking for an eagerness and willingness to learn, openness to new ideas, and the intellectual curiosity to seek out more.

Applicants in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology are recommended to become familiar with the material on the DiscoverChemEng website.

Prospective candidates should be studying Mathematics and Chemistry at A-level (or equivalent), plus another science/mathematics subject. A-level Further Mathematics is encouraged. If unavailable or if you have recognised its desirability too late, we would advise you to do as much additional pure maths and mechanics as possible, e.g. by studying advanced material. Physics and Biology also provide useful preparation.

IB applicants starting the new IB Mathematics syllabus are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches'. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the College for further advice and guidance.

Minimum Offer 

A-level: A*A*A

IB: 42 points overall, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level. 

We usually require an A* in A-level Mathematics or Further Mathematics and A* in A-level Chemistry, Physics, or Biology.

We usually require a 7 in IB Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) and 7 in Higher Level Chemistry or Physics.

Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept 

Candidates will normally have two interviews of around 20-25 minutes each.

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject.

We do not require a written work submission for this subject.

Candidates are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT). The ESAT is a pre-registration required assessment. This means that you will have to register to sit the assessment at an assessment centre near to you. Registration for the pre-registration required assessment is separate from your UCAS application and it is essential that you are registered by your centre before the deadline. 

For further details see the ESAT website  and the University ESAT page.

More information is available on the Interviews, Written Work and Assessments page.