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MSc/PGDip Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management

The Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management programme from University of Birmingham 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.

Quick Facts

  
Duration: 1 year (Full-Time)
2 years (Part-Time)
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £26,640 per year 
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

This Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management programme from University of Birmingham 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.

Courses included:

  • Nuclear Radiation, Dosimetry and Shielding, and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
  • Policy, Regulation and Management
  • Practical and Applied Studies
  • Processing, Storage and Disposal of Nuclear Waste
  • Site Decommissioning and Environmental Management
  • Research Project

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

There is currently a significant shortage of skilled graduates in the field of nuclear decommissioning and waste management, both within the UK and globally. This degree course is a response to the skills shortage, and seeks to train high quality graduates for the Nuclear Industry. The sector will grow, and the demand for high quality graduates increase with the decommissioning of the current fleet of reactors.

Typically, two thirds of our students have jobs or PhDs lined up to walk into upon completion of the course before they have even finished the MSc. Most of the remaining one third will have something within a few months of graduating, and with a total eventual recruitment into the nuclear industry of about 90%.

The research skills acquired will also provide a strong foundation for those wishing to undertake further postgraduate study towards the award of a PhD.

Requirements

2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject (eg, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, mathematics, geoscience or any physical sciences subject). 2.2 degrees may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on modules taken. 

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