Record numbers to study chemical engineering

London - A record number of undergraduate students are set to study chemical  engineering at UK universities this year, the latest UCAS figures show. Some 1459 students have accepted places to begin studying chemical, process and energy engineering next month, a 12.3% rise on figures from this time last year. Final intake for 2007 was a record-high of 1455 students.

Demand increased for all science and engineering disciplines led by year-on-year increases of 13.9% for civil engineering and 11% for mechanical engineering. Chemistry registered a more modest rise of 4.6%, while demand for biology and physics courses grew by just 2.7% and 1.3%, respectively.

According to IChem chief executive David Brown, the UCAS figures reflect increasing awareness of the role of chemical engineers in the battle against the negative effects of climate change and suggest the pipeline of talented chemical engineering graduates is secure for another year.

However, he also warned: We mustn¹t get ahead of ourselves but it looks like we¹re set for another record-breaking year and credit must go to the universities and the whynotchemeng schools and careers campaign for making this possible," he added.

But Brown also issued a warning that further growth requires greater investment by both government and industry: "To meet the continuing needs of employers, more investment will be essential so that existing chemical engineering departments can be expanded and new ones established. Demand amongst both industry and students is high enough to justify such investment."