MSc Nuclear Science and Engineering

The programme is delivered full-time over one year. You will form a cohort attached to the South West Nuclear Hub and will benefit from working with internationally leading research teams in the School of Physics, School of Engineering and School of Earth Sciences.

There are taught and practical elements of the programme. The taught section consists of core units on Nuclear Science, Nuclear Reactor Engineering and Materials, Nuclear Reactor Physics and Research Skills. These core units provide a solid foundation in the scientific and engineering subjects essential to the nuclear industry. In addition, students can pick twenty credit points of optional units, which offer an opportunity to explore topics of particular interest beyond the core content.

Taught units take place during the traditional academic terms, and practical work takes place both during the academic year and over a three-month dedicated research placement in the summer. The individual research project is supervised by leading academics at the University and is often aligned with key industrial partners, offering an opportunity to experience the industry's technical challenges and professional culture first hand.

The practical programme also consists of a group project, which brings students together in interdisciplinary teams to tackle current problems facing the nuclear industry. These help develop key skills sought by employers such as innovation, communication and leadership.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering.

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in an Engineering or Science discipline. Applicants with degrees in Geology, Geography, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences or any science subject outside of Physics or Chemistry must demonstrate mathematical knowledge either with a Grade C or above in A-level Mathematics (or international equivalent) or a 2.1 in three different quantitative or physics modules from the following units:

• Advanced Maths (introductory maths does not count towards maths unit requirements)
• Analysis
• Auditing
• Bayesian Modelling
• Calculus
• Complex Functions
• Computer Science (including programming/algorithms)
• Cosmology
• Data Mining/Data Science/ Data Analytics
• Decision Analysis and Simulation
• Decision Maths
• Derivatives
• Differential Equations / Ordinary Differential Equations
• Discrete Mathematics
• Econometrics (including 'introductory'; 'foundations of'; and 'advanced')
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Maths
• Financial Modelling
• Financial Reporting
• Game Theory
• Geometry
• Information Theory
• Investment Analysis
• Kinematics
• Linear Algebra
• Linear Programming
• Macroeconomics (including intermediate / advanced; could be called Economics III / IV)
• Management Science
• Mathematical Programming
• Maths for Business / Business Maths
• Maths for Economics
• Mechanics
• Mechanics (any type of mechanics)
• Mechatronics
• Microeconomics (including intermediate / advanced; could be called Economics III / IV)
• Multi Variate Analysis
• Network Science
• Nuclear Physics
• Number Theory
• Optimisation
• Particle Physics
• Probability
• Proof / Intro to Proof
• Properties of Matter
• Pure Maths
• Quantitative Techniques
• Quantitative Methods
• Quantum Physics
• Research Methods
• Semiconductor Physics
• Solid State Physics
• Statement Analysis
• Statistics/Statistical Methods/Statistical Analysis etc
• Supply Chain Management/ Logistics Management
• Thermal Physics
• Thermodynamics
• Time Series Analysis
• Vector Calculus.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

• evidence of relevant work experience in the nuclear sector or a closely linked engineering sector (eg aerospace, oil and gas, automobile);
• a relevant postgraduate qualification from one of the accepted subjects listed above.

Specific module requirements would still apply.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.