MSc Nuclear Science and Engineering

Program Overview

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MSc Nuclear Science and Engineering

Overview

Nuclear Science and Engineering is an exciting area of research and industrial investment in the UK. Nuclear energy supplies around 20% of the UK's electricity, and significant investments are underway into the construction of new reactors at Hinkley Point C, with Sizewell C and further new reactors expected in the coming decade. The existing generation of advanced gas-cooled reactors are being decommissioned, and new, advanced fission and fusion reactors are being designed. As a result, there is huge demand for graduates with the knowledge and skills to work in the nuclear industry.

Our MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering teaches you the science and engineering background to the operation of nuclear fission and fusion energy. The MSc prepares you for a career in industry or academia, combining the strengths of our science and engineering faculties with an established programme of nationally recognised industrial research.

The MSc has been developed and delivered in partnership with industry, including a focus on nuclear professionalism. After completing the programme, you will be familiar with the nuclear industry and its unique safety culture, which will prepare you to enter the industry or continue in academia. The programme offers a unique multidisciplinary experience and is a key part of the South West Nuclear Hub.

Our industrial partners, including EDF, Jacobs, NNL, UKAEA and many others, sponsor and provide guidance on some of our student research projects. In previous years, some students have even received a bursary from partners they have worked with during their placement.

The University of Bristol is ranked in the UK top five for Physics research (THE analysis of REF 2021), with an excellent reputation for teaching and learning.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025.
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025.
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

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.

World-leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

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.

Admissions Statement

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time: £15,800 per year
• Overseas: full-time: £34,900 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni Discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and Scholarships

Scholarships for Home (UK) Students

FOSTER bursary

• Funding towards living costs for home-fee paying students
• £6,500 each
• Learn more about eligibility criteria and application details.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career Prospects

Graduates will leave equipped with a familiarity with the nuclear industry and the specialised nature of its safety culture, and they will be prepared to enter the industry or continue towards further research. The nuclear industry is expanding significantly as existing reactors are decommissioned, and new reactors are built and designed. As a result, the demand for graduates with nuclear-specific skills and knowledge is very high and our MSc graduates are very popular with industry recruitment.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in the nuclear industry for employers such as EDF Energy, UKAEA, Jacobs, Frazer Nash, Dounreay, NNL, Mott McDonald, IAEA, Sellafield and Atkins, among many others. Around a third of our MSc graduates continue in academia after the MSc through PhD study, including projects within the Interface Analysis Centre and the Solid Mechanics Research Group at the University of Bristol, as well as at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, UCL, Coventry University, Purdue University USA and Chalmers University in Sweden.

Program Outline

The program aims to prepare graduates for careers in the nuclear industry or academia.

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Objectives:

• Provide a solid foundation in the scientific and engineering subjects relevant to nuclear energy.
• Develop key skills sought by employers, such as innovation, communication, and leadership.
• Familiarize students with the nuclear industry and its unique safety culture.

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Outline:

The program is delivered full-time over one year. Students form a cohort attached to the South West Nuclear Hub and work with internationally leading research teams in the School of Physics, School of Engineering, and School of Earth Sciences.

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Content:

• Core units provide a foundation in nuclear science and engineering.
• Optional units allow students to explore topics of interest.
• Students select at least ten credit points from a faculty outside their individual research project.

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Course Schedule:

• Taught units take place during the traditional academic terms.
• Practical work takes place during the academic year and over a three-month dedicated research placement in the summer.
• The individual research project is supervised by leading academics and often aligned with key industrial partners.

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Individual Modules:

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Teaching:

• The program is taught by leading academics in the field.
• Students benefit from working with internationally leading research teams.
• The program emphasizes practical experience through research placements and group projects.

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Careers:

Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in the nuclear industry or academia.

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Opportunities:

• Recent graduates have gone on to work for employers such as EDF Energy, UKAEA, Jacobs, Frazer Nash, Dounreay, NNL, Mott McDonald, IAEA, Sellafield, and Atkins.
• Around a third of graduates continue in academia through PhD study.

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Other:

• The program is ranked fifth for research in the UK by the Times Higher Education.
• 94% of the program's research is assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
• The program is delivered in partnership with industry, including a focus on nuclear professionalism.
• Students may receive a bursary from partners they have worked with during their placement.

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UK: full-time £14,700 per year Overseas: full-time £33,600 per year For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.