About us

The UNSW School of Chemical Engineering is well known in the industry as a top provider of quality education and cutting-edge research. We’re ranked 2nd in Australia by Shanghai Ranking of Academic Subjects and 19th in the World by QS World Rankings.

Our aim is to deliver the best we possibly can to the future of Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Food Science and Technology. Our passionate academics are eager to share their vast knowledge and experience with graduate students and we’re at the forefront of innovation and emerging technologies through several international research groups and centres.

Our new home, the Science and Engineering Building, opened in 2019 and currently houses world-class laboratory facilities, student study rooms, and office space for more than graduate 200 students.

Message from the Head of School

The School of Chemical Engineering has a long-standing reputation for excellence in education and research, with our alumni making significant contributions across a wide range of fields globally. As an alumnus, I take great pride in the School’s growth and am thrilled about its future.

Chemical engineering is critical in addressing many of the world’s most pressing challenges. From the development of sustainable systems and resilient manufacturing processes to advancing clean energy, improving water access, and ensuring the safe production of essential goods such as food and pharmaceuticals, our School is at the forefront of innovation. With state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities, combined with the commitment of our academics, staff, and students, we are well-positioned to drive meaningful advancements that benefit society.

The School of Chemical Engineering is recognised as one of the top institutions in Australia and internationally. We are home to some of the world’s leading researchers, and our students have the opportunity to collaborate with them, contributing to impactful research that delivers real-world solutions. These contributions have a lasting influence on communities, industries, and governments, both locally and globally.

Our goal is to maintain global leadership in research excellence while fostering positive change through innovative solutions to the world’s critical issues. With cutting-edge facilities, dedicated staff, and exceptional students, we are well-equipped to shape the future of chemical engineering, driving progress towards a more sustainable and equitable world.

I invite you to explore our website and join us as we continue to push boundaries, create solutions, and inspire the next generation of engineers.

The future is bright, and we’re excited to lead the way!

- Professor Cordelia Selomulya, Head of School of Chemical Engineering

In 2022, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Chemical Engineering at UNSW was assessed and received accreditation by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and Engineers Australia. Accreditation provides benchmarking of academic programs, graduate training schemes, and third-party courses against high, internationally recognised standards.

Similarly, our 4-year (Honours) program in Food Science as part of the undergraduate streams Food Science and Technology and Food Science and Nutrition, are accredited by the International Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

UNSW Engineering is renowned for the quality of its graduates and its world-class research. We’ve set world records in Quantum Computing, created Australia’s first fuel-cell bicycle and pioneered revolutionary ways for drug delivery.

The UNSW School of Chemical Engineering is well known in the industry as a top provider of quality education and cutting-edge research. We’re ranked 2^nd in Australia by Shanghai Ranking of Academic Subjects and 19th in the world by the QS World Rankings.

The UNSW 2025 Strategic Plan sets out the priorities that will guide UNSW through the next decade to be Australia’s Global University. We aim to make a real difference to communities by leading discovery, problem-solving innovation, education, thought leadership and a commitment to advancing a just society.