Studying chemical engineering at RMIT brings together engineering science with engineering practice and design. It provides you with a practical and vocational focus that is well recognised by industry.

In this degree, you’ll cover the application of chemical, physics, and biological sciences and technology, for the design and improvement of industrial processes such as water purification, food production and processing, or developing products such as cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.

You’ll learn how to make processing industries work more efficiently and minimise their environmental impact by using less energy and producing less waste.

You’ll also develop the skills to design and develop ways in which raw materials, such as minerals and oil, are converted into useful products including composites, petrol, plastics and paper.

You’ll have the opportunity to design creative solutions through inspiring and sustainable design-and-build projects, as well as taking part in the Engineers Without Borders Challenge - a humanitarian-focused course offered in all RMIT engineering degrees.

To ensure you graduate job-ready, you’ll also have an opportunity to undertake a work-integrated learning (industry experience) elective.

Career Outcomes

Chemical engineering professionals are in demand, not only in Australia, but across the globe. With a rapidly growing population, the need for more efficient processing industries will become more important to ensure manufacturing minimizes their environmental impact by using less energy and producing less waste.

In Australia, the major employment areas are in:

• the chemical, petroleum and petrochemical industries
• the food industry
• water
• environmental management and pollution control
• mineral and metallurgical industries
• plastics/polymers
• biomaterials and diagnostic agents
• pharmaceuticals and vaccines
• cosmetics
• electricity and gas utilisation
• research and development
• project design and consulting

RMIT graduates have gone on to work at a range of organisations including:

• Basell
• BP
• Cadbury
• Cryovac
• CSL
• CUB
• ExxonMobil
• Kraft
• Moldflow
• Rio Tinto

Professional recognition and accreditation

The Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours) is fully accredited by Engineers Australia.

Engineers Australia is the professional body responsible for the accreditation of higher education programs that prepare students to practise as professional engineers.

Engineers Australia is a signatory to the Washington Accord. This means that the degree is internationally recognised, and graduates are able to practise as professional engineers in many countries around the world.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours) degree are eligible for graduate and/or professional membership of Engineers Australia.

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is the global professional membership organisation for chemical, biochemical and process engineers and other professionals involved in the chemical, process and bioprocess industries.

The Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours) is accredited to Master Level by IChemE.