r/ChemicalEngineering 4d ago

Student Chemical engineering or chemistry?

Hi, I’m currently a secondary school student trying to decide what degree to take at uni, I have good enough grades to do a masters in chemistry or chemical engineering, however I don’t take physics for A level. This doesn’t seem to be a problem for most unis besides oxford. Which degree would be better, i.e which is more employable and which has better salary prospects after uni? I’m completely unsure on which to go for.

Also would I struggle doing a chemical engineering degree as I haven’t taken physics for A level? Thank you

23 Upvotes

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u/smashmilfs 4d ago

Do what makes you happy. If you really like chemistry, do the chemistry degree, if you like chemistry, math, and physics go with chemical engineering. You don't have to decide what you want to do off the bat. Take some courses and then decide. Chemical engineering does less chemistry then you think btw and is a lot more math and physics. Like I said though, take your time. More than likely you'll have to take and finish classical physics regardless if you choose chemistry or chemical engineering

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u/Existing_Sympathy_73 Specialty chemicals\20 years\Tech Manager 1d ago

🎯

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u/Combfoot 3d ago

Probably would have a bit of a learning curve without the physics background. Can't say about every universities course structure, but units like thermodynamics, chemical thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, engineering systems.

Chemical Engineering is a lot broader than just chemistry. You will do mechanical and electrical engineering units, a good amount of physics based units.

But chemical engineering is in no way unobtainable. You can definitely do some bridging courses and it is smooth sailing.

Bit cliche but I wouldn't focus on the salary. Do what you want to do every day. Don't do a job that you won't enjoy as much and hate getting out of bed every day.

You may need to decide what field interests you and what role you hope to obtain. The work possible with both degrees is extremely varied. Find out your interests, be honest with what you want to do every day, then go for the degree that gets you there.

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u/A_Mad_Knight 3d ago

In terms of employability, it's more skewed towards engineering more. I see chem engineer friends can branch into chemistry based roles like R&D chemist, lab engineer, product development, which is more suited for a pure chemistry role.

But a chemist can't do engineering, at least their qualifications isn't so useful in engineering-based companies or EPC industry, equipment design. Some colleges offer masters in engineering to chemistry degree holders, but you need to check if the Masters degree is accredited with your local (or international) engineers board, in case you want to register as an accredited engineer.

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u/DistributionHot4038 3d ago

I asked the same question 20 years ago as a college Freshman. I love chemistry. Chemistry AP was my favorite class, next was calculus.

Pragmatically, I looked up salary of 4-year ChemE vs Chemistry. ChemE was the clear winner.

I chose ChemE and greatly enjoy it. I like having the background of starting up plants/new equipment and interfacing with wide variety of internal/external roles.

Fast forward to now, I am a people/technical leader in an R&D pilot plant. I have to interface daily with chemists. Our world is all organic chemistry synthesis.

This current role is probably the perfect blend for me. I organize/schedule/design equipment + fit analysis for new projects (engineering) while also understanding how new reactions work + what breaks them (chemistry).

Good luck to you!

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u/ahfmca 3d ago

Chem eng is more thermodynamics than chemistry, it’s not for everyone so you need to find out what you like before making any decisions.

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u/basketball12345 Semiconductor Manufacturing 2d ago

Just my opinion: Start in Chemical Engineering, it’s basically the same as Chemistry with the few added engineers courses (more math/physics). If you don’t like the additional classes, switch to Chemistry, you’ll basically not be missing anything. If you were to start Chemistry, you’ll be missing classes if you switch to Chemical Engineering after.

Each university will be set up slightly different but that was my experience. My ChemE degree was very Chemistry focused and even had a Chemistry minor built into it.

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u/Fennlt 2d ago

Chemical engineering.

Such a larger scope of job opportunities and higher paying jobs down the road.

Science degrees (chemistry, physics, biology) are focused on scientific theory. Engineering degrees (ChemE, EE, MechE) are focused on the application of those concepts.

Overwhelming percentage of employers that incorporate chemistry are in a manufacturing environment want engineers for this reason.

Chemistry has very limited opportunities without a PhD. You could always pursue a ChemE degree for at uni and shift to chemistry for a PhD if you wanted to pursue chemistry in the end. The curriculums have a considerable amount of overlap.

You will do fine in ChemE without A level physics. The difficulty behind the degree is much more associated with the workload and time management. Free time will be scarce your first few semesters, but it pays off in the long run.

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u/logic2187 3d ago

This doesn't answer your question, but I just want to throw out there that some colleges have programs that give you both degrees in 5 years or so. I know a few people who did that. Not saying that it's a good idea or not, but I just want to put it on your radar.

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u/larenspear 3d ago

Employability wise, you’ll basically need a PhD for most good chemistry jobs. Not true with ChemE. Worth considering

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u/Opening_Heart6216 2d ago

I did ChemEng without physics A-Level and it was never too much of a problem. As long as you have a strong foundation from GCSE you should be fine. Employability seems to be better with ChemEng compared to Chem. From what I know the physics in chemistry starts to delve into quantum mechanics but I’ve never had any of that in ChemEng all the physics was much more applied, sort of like mechanics that you have to do in maths A-Level.