Have you ever gotten bored during breakfast that you start to get the cereal box and look at its ingredients? Have you ever wondered how your everyday products are made, such as shampoo, toothpaste, or perfume? Well, maybe you have seen factory videos of that on the internet. But, let’s go on a bigger scale. Have you ever wondered how sugars are produced? Or how drinking water is treated? Or how do we make plastic to be used for almost anything? These are just some things that you’ll learn to do when you take up a chemical engineering degree.

Chemical engineering is the study of using raw materials to turn them into practical, everyday products. Chemical engineers work a lot with chemical reactions, and they use this to design, produce, and manufacture different kinds of products. In this fast-paced world with a growing amount of manufacturing and production, this field continues to evolve alongside the demand for professionals. If you are interested in becoming a chemical engineer in the future, here are the best schools to study in Europe according to the 2021 Q.S. World University Rankings:

Does Chemical Engineering Require Extensive Knowledge of Mathematics?

Mathematics always finds its way into most scientific disciplines, especially those that have a quantitative nature. In the past, Chemists needed to be well-versed in mathematics because all they could rely on was their own calculations. However, in modern days and with the advent of computer software in the field of chemical engineering, chemists are less reliant on mathematics. Therefore, if you want to pursue a degree in chemical engineering and you are concerned about mathematics, then worry not because you can get by without having to do much math. We currently do not have any Chemical Engineering Courses, but we are actively updating our courses database, so check back soon for more courses. In the meantime, check our Open Courses Page for all the programs that are currently available for you.

Top Chemical Engineering Schools in Europe

1. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom ranked fifth place in the 2021 Q.S. World University Rankings for Chemical Engineering. The University of Cambridge is among the best universities for chemical engineering in Europe. Cambridge’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology has been consistently living up to its international reputation of being excellent both in the field of research and teaching. It also has strong links with ten industrial companies such as P&G, Invista, etc. Students can learn from and have the opportunity to work with in the future. After all, graduates of this course are pretty in demand. The Department also features excellent and state-of-the-art facilities where students can research and perform laboratory experiments.

Another good thing in this University is its excellent staff-to-student ratio, where students are supervised in small groups to receive individual attention and maximize learning.

2. Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Zurich

Also known as ETH Zurich in German, this school is excellent for the chemical engineering program in Europe and is one of the world’s leading universities in science and technology. They are most renowned in research and innovation, aiming to deliver something new for students to learn each year and to manufacture and produce innovations to contribute to the Swiss industry. With their high-class laboratories, students can perform experiments and do research. ETH Zurich also has a Chemistry | Biology | Pharmacy Information center, a place with a vast collection of resources related to those courses assisted by library professionals giving tailored subject-specific services.

3. University of Oxford

As the world’s second-oldest university, the University of Oxford has maintained its reputation of being one of the most prestigious universities over the years and among the top schools for chemical engineering in Europe. It is one of the top public universities in Oxford, United Kingdom.

The University of Oxford offers chemical engineering as a unified course called Engineering Science, where it discusses general engineering subjects in the first two years of study. In the latter two years, students are given a choice to specialize in these different engineering branches: Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Information, and Mechanical. With Oxford’s reputation, this school is one of the top choices for studying engineering.

4. Imperial College London

Imperial College London has been consistently among the top institutions globally and in Europe for chemical engineering based on Q.S. Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This school, located in London, United Kingdom, is known for its research-led system in education exclusively for science, engineering, medicine, and business courses. Prioritizing hands-on experience, the college has state-of-the-art facilities for their students, including their four-story-high carbon capture Pilot Plant, which is the center of the Chemical Engineering Department. This facility is the core part of their training for future chemical engineers, alongside their huge-scale laboratories that can accommodate 50 students.

5. Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Lausanne

Also known as École Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in French, this school ranked 19th in The World University Rankings for best schools for engineering and technology. It is also among the best universities for chemical engineering in Europe and is public research university located in Lausanne, Switzerland, specializing in natural sciences and engineering.

EPFL is different from other institutions that offer chemical engineering because it is included in one University that runs a nuclear reactor as their facility. Other outstanding learning resources are a fusion reactor, a Gene/Q Supercomputer, and P3 bio-hazard facilities. However, as the school is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, the Bachelor’s program in chemistry and chemical engineering in EPFL is offered in French.

6. Delft University of Technology

The Delft University of Technology is another leading school for chemical engineering in Europe that is located in the Netherlands, the oldest and largest Dutch public technical University. University heritage of over 125 years has consistently provided their highest quality of standard in terms of teaching and research. One of the best features of the institution is the Pro2Tech or the Delft Process & Product Technology Institute, which serves as a research incubator for process and product technologies in the University. There is university collaboration from the researchers working in the school, the students, and industrial company partners.

Also, another exciting thing is that Delft University has one of the largest campuses in the world, having restaurants, a botanical garden, several parks, and cycle paths which can make university life fun.

7. University College London

UCL is the second-largest University in the United Kingdom and offers students a wide variety of programs. It has one of the best facilities, such as its new Student Center, which can house up to 1,000 individual, group, and open-plan study spaces and quiet contemplation areas. The UCL library is also an outstanding feature that provides students with a wide range of resources for different courses.

Another good advantage for this school is that their Department of Chemical Engineering offers excellent chemical engineering programs in Europe and possesses an outstanding national and international network of industrial company contacts and impressive collaboration with other university departments in the U.K. and abroad.

8. University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is one of the best universities for chemical engineering in Europe, ranked 5th in the UK for chemical engineering by the QS World University Rankings 2021. It is located in Manchester, which is the birthplace of chemical engineering and is in the heart of the UK’s manufacturing hub. Studying chemical engineering here puts students in an advantageous position as the school has links to big companies like Unilever and Siemens, providing important skills and contacts for a successful future career.

With an employability rate of 94% for its graduates and a world-class faculty, the University of Manchester provides one of the best options for studying chemical engineering in Europe. There are also a number of scholarship options for prospective students.

9. Eindhoven University of Technology

The Eindhoven University of Technology is a global leader in science and technology and is one of the best for chemical engineering in Europe. Their Chemical Engineering and Chemistry department is the only remaining department dedicated to research in those areas of study in the Netherlands. With 14 full-time professors, the university continues to maintain a high standard of excellence in the education offered.

The university offers a bachelor’s degree program, a master’s degree program with two specializations, a design engineering course, and a Ph.D. program. There are two main research clusters, that is, Molecular Systems and Materials Chemistry and Chemical and Process Technology. These ensure that students get an in-depth look at the applications of their studies to various areas of life, and they have the opportunity to pursue the areas that interest them most.

10. Technical University of Denmark

As a school of engineering, DTU aims to prepare its students to meet current industrial challenges with value through innovation and research and as such provides some of the most comprehensive programs in chemical and biochemical engineering. The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU is made up of 34 faculty members who offer guidance to students at various levels of study. The community here is also very diverse with about 32 nationalities represented in the department. It is a great option to consider for anyone interested in chemical engineering as it has close relations with several international companies as well as top universities globally and is highly involved in research. It’s no surprise that DTU is among the leading chemical engineering schools in the Europe.

11. KU Leuven

Consistently named one of Europe’s most innovative universities, KU Leuven also ranks as one of the best schools for chemical engineering in Europe due to its extensive research capacity. It is the largest university in Belgium and offers aspiring chemical engineers the chance to study at the bachelor’s and master’s levels with an option for an Advanced Master of Safety Engineering.

While the bachelor’s program is instructed in Dutch, the master’s and advanced master’s programs are offered in English, making them accessible to a large number of students from all around the world. The Bachelor’s program is a specialization that earns students a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Technology.

12. KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

KIT is ranked 39th globally in chemical engineering by the QS World University Rankings 2022, making it the best German university in the subject. The school is well known for the many inventors and entrepreneurs who studied and taught there, showing the prestige of its student body as well as its faculty.

The programs offered at the university combine chemical and process engineering, enabling students to be exposed to a combination of both engineering and the natural sciences. Students are also able to pick their laboratory practical and can specialize from the bachelor’s level, making it an excellent school for aspiring chemical engineers in Europe.

13. Chalmers University of Technology

The Chalmers University of Technology is the most well-known university in Sweden, with the highest rankings received among Swedish universities. It focuses on research and is among the best schools for chemical engineering in Europe. The education offered emphasizes creativity, ensuring that students are able to meet future challenges head-on and come up with innovative solutions by applying the methods taught in school.

There are various bachelor’s and master’s options for interested students, with one master’s program focusing on sustainable chemical engineering. There are also a number of scholarships on offer for its students, making it a suitable study destination for anyone looking to major in the chemical engineering field.

14. KTH Royal Institute of Technology

KTH Royal Institute of Technology is the largest technical university in Sweden and is another top chemical engineering school in Europe. It is highly ranked globally, especially in the subject area of engineering and technology. At KTH, chemical engineering is offered under a master’s program known as the Master of Science Chemical Engineering for Energy and Environment. This program has a focus on sustainability, tackling issues to do with the environment in the field of chemical engineering. This is a great option for students hoping to tackle the challenge of sustainable use of the limited natural resources available to us.

15. RWTH Aachen University

In 2020, QS Faculty Rankings ranked the university 36th worldwide in Chemical Engineering, and to date, the university has maintained its stellar performance. It is also the largest technical university in Germany.

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering offered at RWTH Aachen is the oldest course in the school’s faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The course is offered in German and would therefore require an aspiring student to have high proficiency in the language. It is offered for three semesters, with the third semester dedicated to the master’s thesis. This organization allows full immersion of students in the application of their knowledge to a practical project.

16. Technical University of Berlin

With one of the highest proportions of international students in Germany, the Technical University of Berlin offers a varied and globally immersive environment in which to pursue your studies in chemical engineering. The school has been ranked in the top 50 universities in engineering and technology globally. Chemical engineering is offered at bachelor’s and master’s levels, both having German as the primary language of instruction. TU Berlin is a great study destination for anyone aspiring to study chemical engineering as it not only offers quality education within itself but also allows for stays abroad at partner universities, allowing its students to interact with a broader community of professionals. With its global reputation, TU Berlin is indeed among the top Chemical Engineering schools in Europe.

17. University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is known for its world-leading research, which is responsible for a number of advancements in engineering technology. This fact, as well as the world-class education offered through their specialist facilities, makes it a great choice for anyone looking to pursue chemical engineering. The courses offered at the university are fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers and studying at the school provides one with the opportunity to graduate with a globally recognized degree.

 

We hope this article on Best Chemical Engineering School in Europe was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

Share this article via

Leave A Comment