Program Overview

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Sustainable Process Engineering BEng (Hons)

Overview

This pioneering degree programme responds to the world’s need for cleaner and more efficient processes, to move towards a sustainable society. You'll gain the knowledge and skills to design, optimise, and implement sustainable industrial processes. As a graduate, you'll be sought after in industries focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental sustainability.

You'll train as a future leader, ready to drive sustainable social and economic development through cleaner and more efficient chemical and manufacturing processes.

This programme will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of many areas of sustainable processing, including:

• carbon management
• renewable energy
• water and wastewater treatment
• food
• waste
• plastics
• circular economy
• environmental engineering
• sustainable process design
• green chemistry
• energy efficiency

You'll be able to incorporate the concept of sustainability into the design, commissioning and efficient operation of chemical and manufacturing plants. In doing so, you'll help create a greener and more sustainable world.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• work on sustainability-related projects, including the evaluation of the environmental impacts of processes using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• engage with industrial speakers regarding sustainable processing
• work with the latest in sustainable processing education technology to further your technical capabilities
• work with process design and simulation industry-grade software such as LCA, ASPEN, MATLAB, Ansys

Virtual reality facility

Gain experience and training in field and control room operation in crucial engineering scenarios, such as:

• plant start-up and shutdown
• fault, risk and emergency situations
• optimised operation, including environmental implications

Entry requirements

At Bradford, we take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application.

Below outlines the typical entry requirements for this course. If you’re not sure and want to check if your qualifications would be suitable, fill in an enquiry form.

Typical offer - 104 UCAS tariff points.

A levels

• BCC to include Maths (minimum grade C) and a science subject (preferably Chemistry).

T levels

• Merit or higher in the following subjects:
  • Science
  • Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

BTEC Extended Diploma

• DMM.
• BTEC Level 3 )
  Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians (Unit 28) at minimum Merit.
• BTEC Nationals Level 3 (from 2016)
  ‘Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems’ (Unit 7) AND ‘Further Engineering Mathematics’ (Unit 8) at minimum Merit.

Applicants on Access Programmes

• 104 UCAS points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma Level 3 in Science and Engineering and to include at least a total of 9 credits in Mathematics at minimum, Merit.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

• 104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in English Language and Literature A or English B.

Plus minimum of

• GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C or 4 or equivalent.

Additional entry requirements

• HND (Chemical Engineering) with Mathematics permits entry into Stage 2.

Students with non-traditional qualifications at Level 3 will be considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements

• Minimum IELTS at 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each section or equivalent required.

Transferring from another university

If you are currently studying at another university and would like to transfer to the University of Bradford, this course accepts students into the second or third year. This is called advanced entry

Applications for advanced entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must include an official transcript (not a screenshot of a portal), all module descriptors, and relevant qualifications. Module descriptors must include learning outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through UCAS and the required documents emailed along with your UCAS Personal ID no later than 31 August prior to the course starting in September. Relevant documents should be emailed to

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2025 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

• Computer Aided Engineering
• Design, Build & Test (Sustainable Process Engineering)
• Fundamentals of Sustainability
• Engineering Materials
• Thermofluids
• Mathematical Methods and Applications

Second Year

• Chemistry for Engineers
• Thermodynamics and Carbon Management Technologies
• Further Mathematics and Statistics
• Mass Transfer Operations
• Reaction Engineering
• Transport Processes
• Mathematical Methods and Applications
• Computer Aided Engineering
• Design, Build & Test (Sustainable Process Engineering)
• Fundamentals of Sustainability
• Engineering Materials
• Thermofluids

Third Year

Study abroad or placement year.

Final Year

• Sustainable Process Engineering Design Project
• Process Design and Control
• Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
• Reliability & Safety Engineering
• Chemistry for Engineers
• Thermodynamics and Carbon Management Technologies
• Further Mathematics and Statistics
• Mass Transfer Operations
• Reaction Engineering
• Transport Processes
• Project Management & Six Sigma
• Sustainable Energy

Professional placement

A placement year allows you to apply your academic learning within a wide range of industries, including private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. You will gain hands-on experience, develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, and build a professional network that will benefit your future career.

We will support you throughout the process, offering:

• Access to a wide range of placement opportunities with top employers.
• Assistance with CV writing, applications, and interview preparation.
• Guidance on making the most of your placement experience.

Teaching, learning and assessment

The Sustainable Process Engineering (SPE) programme is designed to help you progress in your learning across different study levels, focusing on various competencies related to the subject. Throughout the programme, you will engage in collaborative work, highlighting the importance of teamwork in both disciplinary and multidisciplinary tasks. Various group tasks, such as design challenges, experiments, presentations, and industry projects, create a flexible learning experience. Authentic real-life challenges help develop your critical thinking skills.

Assessment methods reflect the same progression in learning independence as you advance through your SPE journey. In the early stages, you will receive close guidance from tutors and have access to additional support. Assessments include exams, quizzes, practical tests, and coursework, focusing on fundamental knowledge of Process and Sustainable Engineering. At Level 5, assessments will emphasise how you apply your knowledge to simpler assignments and experimental activities, leading to more independent learning. Levels 6 and 7 will focus on applying advanced SPE knowledge and assessing your ability to create and evaluate solutions.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

• UK: £9,535 (sandwich year: £954)
• International: £24,456 (sandwich year: £2,446)

Additional course costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding your studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

As a graduate of this programme, you'll be able to seek employment in chemical industry roles including:

• project engineer
• design engineer
• operations engineer
• research and development engineer

There is an international drive for sustainability. You will be able to handle current challenges in the food, pharmaceutical, energy/utilities, water, carbon management and waste sectors.

Career opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Study abroad

A study abroad year is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, build connections with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and strengthen your skills and experience to make you stand out in the job market.

We have opportunities for students to study, work or volunteer in more than 150 countries across the world and will support you every step of the way.

Support for your studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment.

In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.