MSc Nuclear Science and Engineering
- MSc
Overview
Why choose Nuclear Science and Engineering?
Do you want to be at the forefront of designing, developing, and constructing nuclear power plants, while contributing to the transition to net zero and low-carbon energy production? Our MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering is designed to equip scientists and engineers from a wide range of backgrounds with the expertise needed to become leaders in the nuclear industry or in related academic research.
Nuclear energy has historically supplied around 20% of the UK's electricity, and significant investment is under-way in new reactors at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, with further projects expected in the coming decade. Existing advanced gas-cooled reactors are now being phased out, while a new wave of nuclear technologies is taking shape. These include next-generation reactors, small modular reactors, and emerging fusion projects that aim to produce clean energy in entirely new ways. As a result, there is strong demand for graduates with the knowledge and skills to work in the nuclear sector.
Learn from world-leading experts and industry partners
You will be taught by internationally-leading nuclear academics, with Bristol ranked in the top 5 UK institutions for Physics Research (REF 2021). Our academics will guide you to deliver innovative projects at our world-class research facilities. These include the Interface Analysis Centre, the High Temperature Centre, the Hot Robotics Laboratory, the Facility for Radioactive Materials Surfaces, and the Ultrasonics and Non-Destructive Testing Facility. Our programme will allow you to engage directly with our industrial partners, for example EDF Energy, Sellafield Ltd., UKAEA, Kyoto Fusioneering and Rolls-Royce. Partners have previously sponsored student research projects, and offered bursaries and employment opportunities to our graduates.
Your path to a career in nuclear
Our programme is developed and delivered in partnership with industry through lectures, seminars, and hand-on sessions, with a strong emphasis on nuclear professionalism. On completion, you will understand the nuclear sector and its distinctive safety culture, preparing you for careers in industry or academia. On this programme, you will be part of the South West Nuclear Hub, an alliance of academic, industrial, and governmental organisations based at the University of Bristol that supports world-class research and innovation in civil nuclear science, engineering, and technology. Our MSc is endorsed by the Nuclear Institute (NI), the UK's professional body for nuclear professionals, and accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) enabling further opportunities such as chartership.
Programme structure
Our programme is delivered full-time over one year. You will be part of the South West Nuclear Hub and will work alongside internationally-leading research teams in the School of Physics, School of Engineering, and School of Earth Sciences.
Our programme comprises taught and practical elements. Together these elements enable you to develop key skills sought by employers including innovation, communication, and leadership. Taught units take place during the academic terms, and practical work takes place throughout the year, including a three-month dedicated research term in the summer.
The taught section consists of core units including Nuclear Science, Nuclear Reactor Engineering and Materials, Nuclear Reactor Physics and Research Skills. These units provide a solid foundation in the scientific and engineering subjects essential to the nuclear industry. You will also be asked to select an optional unit, which offers an opportunity to explore topics beyond the core content.
The practical elements of the course include an Individual Research Project and a Group Project. Your Individual Research Project will be 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 Group Project brings students together in interdisciplinary teams to tackle current problems facing the nuclear industry.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering.
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 (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.
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 your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
- evidence of relevant work experience (minimum one year) 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.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
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
- £16,800 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £37,300 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
A number of bursaries of £6,500 are available to help cover living costs. In the 2025/26 academic year, we awarded 18 bursaries to home students.
These bursaries are funded by industry partners, including:
- TNIBF
- DESNZ
- EPR Engineering
- Sellafield Ltd.
- Rolls-Royce.
You can apply if you:
- are a home student for tuition fee purposes
- have an offer to start the MSc Nuclear Science and Engineering programme at the University of Bristol.
Learn more about eligibility criteria and application details.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
You will leave with a familiarity of the nuclear industry and the specialised nature of its safety culture, and be prepared to enter the industry or continue towards further academic 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.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the nuclear industry for employers such as EDF Energy, UKAEA, Amentum, Frazer Nash, Dounreay, UKNNL, Mott McDonald, IAEA, Sellafield Ltd. 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.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk
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