Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical)

Solve global challenges

Chemical engineers solve and manage real-world challenges to create a sustainable future. They take raw materials from the world around us and determine how we can turn them into products for daily use. Ranging across fields, chemical engineers can craft plant-based food alternatives, design clean mineral processing methods to conserve natural resources, revolutionise medicine, and aid in developing sustainable energy resources. 

The University of Adelaide is the only South Australian university offering Chemical Engineering, which is ranked in the top 100 globally*^.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical) is interactive from the very first year. You’ll work with award-winning and industry-connected researchers and teachers as you:

  • use knowledge and skills from engineering, chemistry, maths and biology to produce innovative solutions to fuel, food, and pharmaceutical issues
  • learn how results in the lab scale up for commercial production
  • learn beyond the classroom by undertaking projects with external groups such as Engineers Without Borders
  • benefit from tours, projects, and placements with companies like PepsiCo, Smiths Crisps, Jurlique, and BHP
  • complete an eight-week practical experience.

Majors are available in:

*Please note the Defence Enterprise major is only available to Australian Citizens

Where could it take you? 

You could pioneer biodegradable plastics through innovative packaging solutions. You might design water purification systems for communities in need by turning saltwater into fresh water. Perhaps you will contribute to developing affordable medications for neglected diseases or revolutionise tissue regeneration techniques.

This program is accredited by Engineers Australia and the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). 


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


  • Ranked top 100 in the world for chemical engineering*^
  • Graduates qualify for professional membership with Engineers Australia and IChemE
  • Showcase your work and network with future employers at Ingenuity

*Academic Ranking of World Universities by Subject, 2023

^ US News Best Global University Subject Rankings, 2023

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 334791
2024 CSP ATAR 80
2024 CSP IB 29.5
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 80
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 29.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July*
*Students commencing in July may have a slightly limited selection of courses.
Prerequisites SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods , Specialist Mathematics and Chemistry IB: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) and Chemistry (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3) MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods. Unsure if you will meet prerequisites or ATAR? Check out our Engineering Pathway.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Applicants who have not achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors) required for selection may be selected based on the grades in selected year 12 subjects. Applicants do not need to apply to be considered for subject-based entry, as this will automatically be done. For more information, please see: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/study/undergraduate/entry-pathways/recent-secondary-education/ Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2023). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)		 Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 84.65
Median ATAR to receive an offer 94.45
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 98.05
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)		 Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 90.85
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 96.6
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 80
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2024
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)    		 8 44.4%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)    		 N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    		 6 33.3%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    		 N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    		 <5 N/A
    International students <5 N/A
    All students 18 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,750

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical) provides graduates with the skills and knowledge for careers with national and global companies across a variety of dynamic settings.

Our graduates have been employed across a range of industries including:

  • winemaking
  • food production (e.g. beer, milk, cheese)
  • petrochemicals (e.g. oil refining and natural gas processing)
  • industrial bulk chemicals industries (e.g. production of chlorine and explosives)
  • plastic and rubber products industries (e.g. production of polymers from raw materials such as oil or wood, production of items from polymers ranging from cling film to rainwater tanks to high performance products for building, automotive and aerospace applications)
  • mining and minerals processing (e.g. concentrating minerals, production of iron ore, steel, aluminium, uranium and similar from minerals)
  • environmental engineering (e.g. air pollution control, water and wastewater treatment, waste disposal, resource management)
  • semiconductors and microelectronics (e.g. production of computer memory and central processing units, flatscreen televisions)
  • nanotechnology (e.g. production of nanoporous materials for catalysis, separations and energy storage)
  • management consulting (e.g. engineering business and financial management).
Many chemical engineers go on to manage companies, or even start their own businesses.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

Students are required to complete eight weeks of approved practical experience.

Professional Accreditation

Graduates qualify for professional membership of Engineers Australia.
The degree programme has been accredited by IChemE.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Materials Engineer;  Minerals Processing Engineer;  Natural Resource Manager;  Chemical Engineer;  Organic Chemical Engineer;  Composites Engineer;  Petrochemical Engineer;  Pharmaceutical Engineering;  Power Distribution Engineer;  Power Generation Engineer ...

Degree Structure

The first two years of the academic program are spent developing an understanding of the foundation subjects of chemical engineering, which are increasingly put into practice in the third and fourth years via major design, research and experimental projects.

A major is a great way to specialise and pursue topics of interest without narrowing future career options. All graduates of this degree—irrespective of their major—qualify as chemical engineers, and can pursue a career in any specialist field within the profession. Majors are available across the following areas: Food and Beverage Engineering, Minerals Processing, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Renewable Energy and Defence Enterprise.

Students are required to complete eight weeks of approved practical experience.


Program Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for this program were informed by the University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes, Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies and the characteristics of the Adelaide Engineering graduate.

Graduates of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical) will be able to:

  1. Contribute to the design of creative, sustainable, economic and safe solutions, which satisfy the objectives of clients and stakeholders.
  2. Demonstrate a broad, theory-based understanding of the mathematical, natural and physical sciences underpinning engineering practice, and evaluate the differences between theoretical and applied system behaviour.
  3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the computer and information sciences that underpin engineering practice.
  4. Demonstrate a substantial and contemporary body-of-knowledge of engineering methods, tools and processes for a specific discipline, complemented by relevant knowledge from related disciplines.
  5. Professionally and ethically conduct themselves and their work, respecting the communities and cultural norms within which that work is carried out.
  6. Communicate objectively and effectively, in written and oral forms, to lay and expert audiences.
  7. Apply critical and independent thinking to make sound judgements, based on evidence, theory and logical reasoning.
  8. Maintain and develop knowledge of advancements in engineering practice and research in the specific discipline, and apply this knowledge innovatively when devising solutions
  9. Be an effective, emotionally and culturally intelligent team member, with leadership potential.
  10. Apply a systems approach to managing and developing solutions to complex problems.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)

Areas of Specialisation

Majors

A major is a great way to specialise and pursue topics of interest without narrowing future career options. All graduates of this degree—irrespective of their major—qualify as chemical engineers, and can pursue a career in any specialist field within the profession.

Majors are available across the following areas:

Food and Beverage Engineering
This major explores the engineering processes behind production, and the latest developments and needs, in the food and beverage industry sector. Graduates can work in a range of roles across the food, brewing and winemaking industries.

Minerals Processing
The Minerals Processing major explores the science and technology of extracting minerals from raw mined material, and converting them into products such as iron, steel, aluminium, copper, gold and uranium. Graduates can work in a range of roles across the resources industry.

Pharmaceutical Engineering
Pharmaceutical engineering involves the design, development, and operation of process systems to produce pharmaceuticals.
Pharmaceutical engineers contribute to the production of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and related products.

Renewable Energy
This major is for students interested in the production of renewable energy products. Graduates acquire the knowledge and skills required to improve and design groundbreaking processes that are technically, economically, and environmentally sound.

Defence Enterprise

Example Study Plan

Example Indicative study plan 

Core Courses
Students must complete all of the following:
Core Course, choice of
Students must choose one of the following:
Core Course, choice of
Students must choose one of the following:
Core Electives
Students must choose one course from the following:
Choice of Major
Students can choose a major from the following:
  • Food and Beverage Engineering or;
  • Minerals Processing or;
  • Pharmaceutical Engineering or;
  • Renewable Energy or; 
  • No Major

Assessment

Assessment can vary from course to course and can include a combination of class work, tutorials, assignments, laboratory work, quizzes, project work and exams.

Related Degrees

Testimonial

My interests in biology and chemistry lead me to choose pharmaceutical engineering, which is promising in terms of medical applications, pharmaceutical process improvement, affordable drug/ medication.
Nhat Huynh

Nhat Huynh

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical and Pharmaceutical)

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

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Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024