Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management

Entry requirements

2:2 Honours degree in a relevant subject (eg, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, mathematics, geoscience or any physical sciences subject).

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management Masters programme effectively prepares you for a career in the nuclear industry, supporting you to develop the scientific understanding and practical skills to address the challenges in this area.

In the UK we currently have 17 nuclear sites at various stages of decommissioning, ranging from first generation Magnox reactors, sites at Sellafield, Springfields and Capenhurst, as well as the fast-reactor research facility at Dounreay.

This programme covers a wide range of the skills required to work in the nuclear industry and is co-taught with world-leading academic staff from different Schools within the University. Learning is via lectures and practical sessions, supported by field trips and industry seminars.

You will study all of your taught modules and in the summer you will work on your own research project chosen from a wide range of topics in the field.

This project may be conducted at the University, but more frequently in recent years we have arranged for projects to be undertaken within industry, giving students an opportunity for direct interaction and enhancing their employment prospects.

Why study Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management Masters at Birmingham?

• The University of Birmingham has a long and established track record of research and education in the nuclear sector, including reactor technology, metallurgy and materials, decommissioning and waste management, dating back to the earliest days of the nuclear industry.
• The University runs one of the longest-standing Masters level courses in the nuclear sector (over 50 years), in the Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors (PTNR). The University has extensive links to the nuclear industry and regulators both within the UK and internationally, including National Nuclear Labs, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Idaho National Labs, NAGRA, British Energy, AMEC, Serco, HSE (NII), Atkins, Babcock Marine, Westinghouse, UKAEA, EDF, E.ON and npower.
• Exploit the career opportunities in a growing sector, with demand for high quality graduates increasing with the decommissioning of the current fleet of reactors
• Develop research skills that will also provide a strong foundation for further postgraduate study
• Build relevant skills and knowledge in nuclear sciences, geosciences and materials science to prepare graduates like you for a career in nuclear decommissioning, waste management and remediation

Information for international students

Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band).

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us. More information can be found here.

Fees and funding

Funding opportunities are available.