Science industry process and plant engineer (degree)
Level 6 · DegreeEngineering and manufacturing 5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Science Industry Process and Plant Engineer (degree) designs, commissions, and optimises the large-scale plant and processes used to manufacture chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, energy, and other science industry products. This level 6 degree apprenticeship leads to Incorporated Engineer registration and prepares graduates for senior engineering roles in process design, operations, or project management. Employers include major pharmaceutical, chemical, and energy companies.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Chemical and process engineering principles - heat transfer, fluid mechanics, reactions
Process design, scale-up, and plant commissioning
Process safety - HAZOP, COMAH, and inherently safer design
Instrumentation, control systems, and automation in process plants
Environmental impact assessment and sustainable process design
Project management and cost engineering for capital projects
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Design and optimise process plant systems and unit operations
Support commissioning and start-up of new or modified plant
Carry out HAZOP studies and process safety assessments
Troubleshoot process performance issues and implement solutions
Prepare process flow diagrams, P&IDs, and engineering deliverables
Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and project teams
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.