Chemical Engineering

Join an industry where a wide range of career options await

Students working on high tech lab equipment

What is Chemical Engineering?

If you’re looking for a wide variety of career options, Chemical Engineering is a versatile area. Chemical Engineering is essential for many things, like health technology advancements, clean water and climate change processes. Chemical Product Engineering is about understanding product function and performance, and how people use those products. 

Why study Chemical Engineering?

Chemical Engineers are sometimes called ‘universal engineers’ because they make things happen efficiently on a massive, industrial manufacturing scale and they’re highly relevant to both industry and science. You’ll learn about putting chemicals to work and improving outcomes, plus developing skills in technology, mathematics, science, physics, computers and electronics, to name a few.

Why choose UNSW?

Join a program that is ranked second in Australia* that'll make future employers take notice. Make connections with students through diverse clubs and societies on offer (think: ChemEng Society and Engiqueers!). Enjoy learning in $1 billion renovated state-of-the-art facilities with a practical, hands-on approach preparing you for the future.

What about careers?

The most employable graduates are often UNSW chemical engineering graduates. Some of them are now working for Caltex/Shell producing oil, gas and LPG, and for Port Jackson Partners as engineering consultants, to name a few examples. Graduates are equipped with the skills, knowledge and network to work for companies that produce food, plastics, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, metals or glass – there are endless possibilities.

Career options include:

  • Energy Engineer
  • Combustion Engineer 
  • Water Treatment Engineer 
  • Smelting Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Biochemical Engineer 
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Process Control Engineer 
  • Pharmaceutical Engineer 

*(Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), 2021).

How can I study Chemical Engineering?