BTEC HND Chemical Engineering

The HND Chemical Engineering course is distinctive as it covers the theory of chemical engineering coupled with computer simulation and laboratory practice that enable graduates to be equipped with desired skills sought after by employers.

The course consists of modules with a total credit value of 240 credits which are made up of 12 standard modules of 20 points each. Each year you need to complete 120 credits. In the first year, you are introduced to basic engineering principles and fundamentals of chemical engineering. The second-year focuses on core unit operations such as thermodynamics, separation processes and chemical reaction engineering, as well as engineering mathematics.

On average the assessment of the course is based on 30% coursework and 70% examination.

Year 1

• Introduction to chemical engineering
  This module provides you with an understanding of the chemical industries, their economic significance and the career pathways available to professional engineers in these industries. It also equips you with basic principles of chemical processes such as mass and energy balances.
• Engineering principles
  This module consolidates your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of engineering principles such as measurement systems and units, thermal physics and mechanical and electrical principles. The teaching is supported by laboratory experiments.
• Engineering principles 2
  This module develops your knowledge of engineering concepts such as material science, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, allowing them to be further developed in future years of study.
• Study and laboratory skills
  This module introduces study skills considering both individual and team-working skills. It will also introduce you to your own Personal Development Planning process. This module will enable you to develop and use appropriate safe working practices in the workshop or laboratory environment specific to your subject/discipline.
• Chemistry and applications
  It provides you with the principles of chemistry and its applications to support study of the BEng programmes. It covers fundamentals of chemistry and chemical reactions, and the skills necessary for effective communication in scientific and technical subjects.
• Applied mathematics 1
  This module provides you with the mathematical knowledge and skills to support study of the BEng programmes. The module covers basic algebra, linear and simultaneous equations, quadratic equations and graphical methods.

Year 2

• Thermodynamics and heat transfer
  This module provides you with the fundamental principles of thermodynamics (heat, energy and power) and their role in chemical engineering processes and systems. It also covers the principles and applications of heat transfer in chemical engineering.
• Fluids and separation
  This module equips you with an understanding on the scientific principles underlying separation processes such as distillation, absorption and filtration and their design procedures. It also covers the fundamentals of fluid flow in pipes with friction and particle motion in fluids under Stoke’s law.
• Chemical engineering processes 1
  It imparts your knowledge and understanding in heat, mass and momentum transfer, describing classical and modern theories and techniques. It also provides you with principles of reaction engineering. The teaching is supported by laboratory experiments.
• Computing for chemical engineering
  The module provides you with an understanding of the principles of programming and the use of programming languages. It enables to solve chemical engineering problems using numerical techniques and programming languages such as Matlab software.
• Engineering mathematics and modelling
  This module consolidates your knowledge of a broad range of mathematical methods and techniques appropriate for engineering courses, and enables you to apply mathematical methods, tools and notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of engineering problems.
• Design and practice
  The aim of the module is for you to begin your engagement with engineering design and develop your transferable skills by. You will undertake small engineering design projects, learn to use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, and develop your Personal Development Planning (PDP).

Graduates may work in Chemical Engineering companies as operations engineer, project engineer, or technical support engineer. Our vocational approach will make you an attractive prospect to employers – you’ll understand the theory, but also be able to apply your learning and skills to the workplace with confidence.

Or, like many graduates, you could top up your HND to degree level – complete the course and you’ll be eligible to join either the BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering or BEng (Hons) Chemical and Energy Engineering in the second year. These programs focus on developing your skills as a chemical engineer and you'll find a wealth of sectors open to you: chemical industries, food and drink, pharmaceuticals, energy and oil and gas industries. You could run projects designing and simulating chemical processes or be a research and development engineer working on new plants, systems and processes.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

As the teaching team in the Division of Chemical and Energy Engineering, we are enthusiastic about our teaching and research. We are a multidisciplinary team with expertise in chemical engineering, energy engineering, and materials engineering, some with industrial experience.

Many of the teaching team have significant experience in delivering solutions in industry or have performed world leading research. The team is available and ready to support your learning experience and enrich it with current examples as you move through the degree.

All modules are taught through a combination of three or more of lectures, tutorials, computer workshop, laboratory practical, seminars and group work which deliver the intended knowledge and understanding, and intellectual/practical/transferrable skills.

Most modules are assessed through both examination and individual/group coursework, with typical weightings of 70% examination and 30% coursework.

Your personal tutor is assigned during the first three weeks of starting the course. Your tutor will be your first point of contact should you have any questions about the course, academic regulations, and the university facilities to support your studies. You will have a couple of timetabled meetings with your personal tutor each semester during the first year to get to know them.

In order to be considered for entry to the programme you will be required to have:

• A Level DDD or;
• BTEC National Diploma MMP or;
• Access to HE qualifications with 24 Merits and 21 Passes or;
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 80 UCAS points
• Level 3 qualifications must include Maths or Science (chemistry preferred)
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 136 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 102 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.