HONOURS DEGREES
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours)
Melbourne City
Studying chemical engineering at RMIT brings together engineering science with engineering practice and design, providing a practical and vocational focus that is well recognised by industry.
In this program, 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.
Why study chemical engineering at RMIT?
RMIT University is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world for engineering (chemical). Studying the Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours) at RMIT offers the following benefits:
- Prepare yourself for employment
With at least 12 weeks of industry placements undertaken locally or internationally, you’ll be work-ready when you graduate. There are also opportunities to tackle research projects in partnership with industry, like the Engineers Without Borders Challenge. - Industry-relevant experience
You will have a number of opportunities for industry interaction during your studies including work placements and industry-based projects. Our teachers are experienced practitioners and we collaborate closely with industry to ensure our chemical engineering degree meets the needs of the workplace. - A globally accredited qualification
As a graduate, you will be eligible for membership of Engineers Australia, and your qualification will be recognised by all 18 countries that are signatories to the International Engineering Alliance, the Washington Accord. These include the USA, UK, China, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and Singapore.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
In the final year of your studies you'll undertake a major project that is either industry-based or simulates an industrial situation. Combining and further developing the key theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for your field - as defined by Engineers Australia - you’ll work with industry leaders to solve a project challenge.
Before graduating from this program, you are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum 12 weeks of engineering industry experience. This allows you to gain first-hand experience in an engineering practice environment under the supervision of a practising professional engineer. The nature and timing of this engineering experience can take a range of forms.
Opportunities exist for an overseas work placement of between six and 12 months (this satisfies the work experience requirement). These placements are normally taken during a one-year break in the middle or at the end of the third year of the degree.
As an RMIT engineering student, you’ll have opportunities to engage with industry from the beginning of your degree.
Through work placements, industry projects, internships, seminars and events, you’ll be in contact with industry every step of the way.
You’ll have the chance to do 12 weeks’ work experience, research projects in collaboration with industry and the opportunity to work overseas with leading organisations.
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 minimises 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
This program is fully accredited by Engineers Australia. Graduates of the program are eligible for graduate membership of Engineers Australia. Full membership as a professional engineer may be obtained after an appropriate period of professional practice.
Australia is one of 15 countries that are signatories to the International Engineering Alliance, also known as the Washington Accord, for professional engineers. The qualification of graduates from this degree is recognised in all countries that are signatories to the Accord.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), based in the UK, is the primary international professional society for the chemical engineer. The Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours) degree is accredited by IChemE, UK, at the BEng level.
At RMIT, there is a range of global opportunities for students.
Through partner organisations in Europe, Asia and the United States, the RMIT International Industry Experience and Research Program (RIIERP) offers workplace training and academic research placements of between six and 12 months.
You can spend one or two semesters in universities in Canada, the USA, Mexico, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, China and Korea.
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Melbourne VIC 3000
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Program and course information
Key content
Design and improve industrial processes
Bringing together engineering science with engineering practice and design, you'll be provided a practical and vocational focus of chemical engineering which is well recognised by industry.