From chemistry to process engineering
If you are interested in chemistry, consider what you would like to do with that knowledge. Analysing a substance and designing a system capable of manufacturing it on a large scale are two different questions. Chemical engineering is concerned, in particular, with the latter: it connects transformations of matter with the design of processes and production systems.
Process engineering emphasizes the organization and control of these transformations. The fields overlap, but a chemistry degree is not automatically equivalent to a chemical engineering degree. To make your choice, compare program objectives, required courses and design projects rather than relying on the word “chemical” in the title.
At McGill University, thermodynamics is among the subjects listed. At The University of British Columbia (UBC), examples include material and energy balances, laboratories, process control and process design. These are examples specific to these institutions, not a uniform list of courses across Canada.
When reviewing a curriculum, start with a question: if you want to understand how to design a facility, look for design and balance courses; if you are curious about how it operates, also look at process control and practical work.
Energy, medicines or food: which sector interests you?
Chemical engineering is not limited to one sector. Use your interests to explore a program’s applications, without assuming that every university offers a separate specialization in each area.
| Interest | What to look for when comparing programs |
|---|---|
| Energy and petroleum | See how courses or projects address processes associated with energy and petroleum products. |
| Pharmaceuticals and bioproduction | Examine the role of biological systems and manufacturing. The University of Alberta, for example, lists pharmaceutical applications for its Bioprocessing & Biomanufacturing option. |
| Agri-food | Look for courses, projects or internships related to food processing, which is among the applications presented by universities. |
An application mentioned in a program description is neither a guarantee of access to a particular project nor a promise of employment. If you are considering several sectors, first compare the fundamentals taught, then the opportunities to explore offered in each program.
Universities and programs
The following examples illustrate different considerations when choosing an undergraduate program. They are neither a ranking nor an exhaustive list. Official program titles are retained to make them easier to find.
| Institution and program | Point to consider |
|---|---|
| McGill University — Chemical Engineering (B.Eng.) | The program includes thermodynamics, among other subjects. Eligible students can participate in the faculty’s internship program. |
| The University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus — Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering) | A first year of foundational studies comes before placement in a discipline and specialized courses. Initial admission to engineering does not, by itself, guarantee access to chemical engineering. |
| University of Alberta — Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering - Bioprocessing & Biomanufacturing Option | This option combines chemical engineering with bioprocessing and can be taken in a co-op format. After secondary school, applicants first apply to the first year of engineering; they choose a discipline afterward. |
Ask each institution the same question: “At what point is my access to the specific program I’m interested in decided?” Admission to a common first year and subsequent placement may be two separate steps. Also check the requirements that apply to your previous credential and intended start date.
Co-op and internships: compare the actual experience
An internship can help you discover how the processes you study fit into a workplace. But the word “co-op” alone does not describe the access requirements or how work terms fit into the degree.
At McGill University, eligible chemical engineering students can complete full-time paid internships of 4, 8, 12 or 16 months, subject to the program’s conditions and approval of the internship. For Alberta’s bioprocessing option, the university describes a co-op format with supervised work terms.
Before comparing opportunities, ask:
- When do you need to register for the program, and what requirements must you meet?
- How do students find an internship, and what support is provided?
- What additional fees, if any, apply?
- What happens if you do not secure an internship, and how does that affect your degree timeline?
In your budget, keep income from a hypothetical internship separate from resources that are already confirmed. For international students, access to a university program and authorization to work are also two separate questions: check the requirements of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and your institution before you begin.
Admission and continuing to a master’s degree
For each application, note the science prerequisites, language documentation, documents and deadlines that apply to your previous credential. A list intended for a different education system cannot, on its own, determine whether you are eligible. Also check whether you enter the discipline directly or after a first year of engineering.
If you are considering graduate studies, compare the expected work rather than just the degree abbreviation. At McGill University, Chemical Engineering (Thesis) (M.Sc.) is research-oriented and includes a thesis. Chemical Engineering (Non-Thesis) (M.Eng.) includes courses and a project. These descriptions apply to McGill: degrees with similar abbreviations elsewhere may be structured differently.
The department states that a faculty member must agree to supervise a student before their admission to graduate studies in chemical engineering. This agreement does not necessarily have to be obtained before submitting an application. Check the current requirements with the department and consider what type of project interests you.
Build a budget for your circumstances
When comparing costs, distinguish tuition fees, living expenses and, for those concerned, the resources required for a study permit application. International tuition rates do not automatically apply to Canadian students.
For example, UBC Vancouver lists tuition fees of $66,199.66 CAD for a first year of 37 credits in Applied Science – Engineering for 2026-2027, at the stated international rate for new students starting in summer 2026 or later. This amount covers tuition only: it is neither a Canadian average nor the full cost of living or completing the degree.
Add housing, food, transportation, insurance and supplies to your estimate. For a study permit application submitted on or after September 1, 2026, IRCC requires proof of $23,448 CAD in funds for living expenses for the first year for one person outside Quebec, in addition to tuition and transportation. This administrative threshold is not a universal estimate of actual expenses and does not guarantee that this amount will be enough in every city. Requirements that apply in Quebec must be considered separately.
This information is general: check the rates and documents that apply to your circumstances and the date of your application.
After graduation: distinguish education from professional licensing
If you want to practise as an engineer, find out whether the specific program is accredited and check the requirements of the regulatory body in the province or territory where you plan to work. Program accreditation and professional licensure are two different things: a degree does not automatically confer a licence to practise.
Check the program and period that apply to you rather than inferring a status from the university’s name. The list consulted from Engineers Canada indicates that it was updated on October 21, 2025; you therefore need to look up the information that applies to your program.
To make your final choice, return to four questions: What processes will I learn to design? When is access to the discipline decided? What practical experiences are actually available? What budget covers the entire program? The answers will help you choose a program for what it will allow you to study, even if you have not yet settled on a sector of interest.