The level of interest in Spain, and particularly in Catalonia, in the Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering is directly related to one of the country's most important productive areas: the chemical industry, which contributes more than 10% of gross national product.

In addition to meeting the needs of the chemical industry (engineering for R&D, projects, production, design, products, marketing and sales), the course also trains professionals who become involved in the development of emerging industries, in fields such as biotechnology, polymers and electronic materials.

According to the 2016 QS Rankings, the University of Barcelona is the best Spanish university in the area of Chemical Engineering, ranked among the top 150 worldwide.

This degree qualifies graduates to practice the regulated profession of Industrial Engineer, specializing in Industrial Chemistry (Decree CIN/351/2009, BOE 20/02/2009).

For students who wish to pursue studies in chemical engineering, it is recommended to have completed secondary school studies (baccalaureate or equivalent) which include chemistry taught as a compulsory or elective subject.

Students are expected to have a sufficient level of prior knowledge in physics, mathematics and basic chemistry. A working knowledge of English and computers is also recommended, along with the dexterity required for the manual handling of laboratory equipment.
 

Admission for students with studies completed outside Spain.

Applicants holding higher educational qualifications from a university outside Spain should consult the page Admission with foreign qualifications to find out about specific admission requirements.
 

The Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering qualifies graduates for the practice of the profession of Industrial Engineer in accordance with Order CIN / 351/2009, of 9 February (BOE n.44 of 20/02/2009), which establishes the requirements for verification of university degrees that qualify for the practice of the profession of Industrial Engineer.
Graduates in Chemical Engineering can pursue careers in various fields:

Study, feasibility, projects management, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of:

• Industries involving chemical, physico-chemical and bioengineering processes, and the corresponding facilities: chemical (chemical products, catalysts, paints, dyes, paper, etc.); pharmaceutical (human and veterinary); perfumes and cosmetics; agrochemical (fertilizer, pesticides, etc.); food; petrochemical, etc.
• Installations involving unit operations or chemical processes.
• Facilities aimed at preventing environmental pollution by effluents of all kinds, caused by industries and/or services.
• Machinery, apparatus and instruments for the industries listed above.

Studies and consultancy related to:

• The functional aspect of industrial buildings and services and their construction and ancillary facilities.
• The feasibility of industrialization and use of natural resources and raw materials which undergo transformation and development of new products.
• Planning, programming, management, organization, rationalization, optimization and monitoring of industrial processes.
• Arbitration, appraisals and valuations.
• Hygiene, safety and environmental pollution.

Other

• Public service: teaching, R&D, management, inspection, preparation of reports, etc.
• Other sectors: sales technician, insurance adjuster, consultant, auditor, etc.