
Overview
- Degree awarded
- MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert
- Duration
- 1 Year [Full-Time]; 2 years or 3 Years [Part-Time]
- Entry requirements
-
The minimum academic entry requirements for a Masters programme will be a Lower Second UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline. For applicants with some years' industrial experience, a lesser qualification may be acceptable.
- How to apply
- Apply online
- Sustainable Development Goals
Find out how this course aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:
- Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Course options
Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Y | Y | N | Y |
PGDip | Y | Y | N | N |
PGCert | Y | Y | N | N |
Course description
There is a substantial continuing need for specialist engineers to service the nuclear industry for the operation and decommissioning of the existing reactors, and a growing worldwide programme of building new reactors.Against this background, The University of Manchester is offering a postgraduate programme in Nuclear Science & Technology to help supply the industry with expertise level to help fill the predicted skills gap.
For more information please visit the NTEC website .
Open days
NTEC offers an on-campus open day in March and a virtual open day in July each year, please see the NTEC website for more details.
Fees
Full and part time students should check the NTEC website for up to date information on fees.
Fees are payable annually in September. For part-time courses lasting more than 1 year, the fee may be paid in one lump sum or by annual instalments, divided equally over the number of years you apply for.
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

UN Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.
Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.
To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our courses address.
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Contact details
- Department
- Department of Physics & Astronomy
- Telephone
- 44+ (0)161 529 4799
- pgt.physics@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.physics.manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty
-
Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality. Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
English language
All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language. Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain the required English Language score:
- IELTS: at least 7.0 overall with no sub-test below 6.5.
- TOFEL iBT: at least100 overall withno sub-test below 25. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'.
- Pearson PTE: at least 76 overall with no sub-test below 70. We do not accept 'Home Edition'.
Further information onlanguage requirementscan be found on our website .
Pre-sessional English
We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you may be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.
To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:
- 6 Week Pre-Sessional Course: 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and speaking, and 6.0 in listening and reading OR IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in writing or speaking, and 6.0 in other elements.
- 10 Week Pre-sessional Course: IELTS 6.5 with no elements below 6.0.
If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate.
English language test validity
Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
Applicants from Majority English-speaking countries
If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country (or have studied for a full bachelor degree or higher from one of these countries) you may be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency.
Other international entry requirements
Professional entry qualification
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
We require the following documents before we can consider your application.
- Transcript of your studies to date, translated into English.
- We require references from two people who have knowledge of your academic ability in support of your application, although we can process your application with one academic reference. In most cases, these should be academic references, from a lecturer or professor at your last university. In some cases (for example, if your academic studies occurred some time ago), it might be more appropriate to submit recommendations from those familiar with your professional experience. If you have difficulty in identifying suitable referees you should ask for advice from the admissions team for your course. We will contact your referees directly after you submit your application and direct them to complete our online reference form.
- Degree certificate if you have already graduated.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) if you are applying for the part time course or have been out of education for more than 3 years.
If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country , we also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We may be willing to consider your application without this document, but if we choose to make you an offer, the conditions will include IELTS (or equivalent qualification).
How your application is considered
We consider your full academic history including which course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in relevant course units in our final decision making.
If you graduated more than three years ago, we will also consider the information contained on your CV and any relevant work experience you have to assess if you are still able to fulfil the entry criteria.
Interview requirements
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
CAS Information
Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.
If you have previously studied in the UK on a Student visa as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please send a copy of your previous CAS statement to us as it will assist with the issue of your new CAS statement. This includes study in the UK on study abroad programmes and any study that you did not complete.
You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.
Your CAS number is only valid for one Student Route application.
ATAS Information
You should apply for an ATAS clearance certificate if your course requires it, unless you're exempt because you're a national of the UK, EU, EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA.
Your Student Route Visa application, or extension of stay, will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate and cannot provide one. For further guidance on obtaining an ATAS certificate, please see the information in our ATAS guidance .
Please do not apply for ATAS until contacted by your admissions team, as the information required is subject to change.
Failure to obtain a correct ATAS certificate will prevent our ability to issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
Deferrals
Applications for deferred entry are not accepted for this course. If you receive an offer for 2025 entry and decide not to accept it, should you subsequently wish to be considered for 2026 entry you would be required to reapply.
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
There is a substantial continuing need for specialist engineers to service the nuclear industry for the operation and decommissioning of the existing reactors, and a growing worldwide programme of building new reactors.Against this background, The University of Manchester is offering a postgraduate programme in Nuclear Science & Technology to help supply the industry with expertise level to help fill the predicted skills gap.
For more information please visit the NTEC website .
Coursework and assessment
Course unit details
This course unit programme is available on either a full-time or part-timebasis. The mode of study can be either direct taught, distance learning, or a combination of both.
It addresses a broad range of disciplines in Nuclear Science & Technology it is particularly concerned with ongoing liabilities and the nuclear legacy and is designed to assist companies and individuals in meeting the challenge of this important industry.
The part-time programme option offers the opportunity for employees to gain a postgraduate qualification whilst remaining in full-time employment.
Part-time MSc taken over 3 years:
- Year 1: 4 course units (Successful completion attains Postgraduate Certificate)
- Year 2: 4 course units (Successful completion attains Postgraduate Diploma)
- Year 3: Project & Dissertation (Successful completion attains MSc)
Part-time MSc taken over 2 years:
- 8 course units are taken over the two year period with the project and dissertation also being completed in the second year.
Full-time MSc taken over 1 year:
- 8 course units are taken over a period of approximately 9 months. The project and dissertation then follows.
For more information on course units, please visit the Nuclear Technology Education Consortium taught programme summary .
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Radiation & Radiological Protection | PHYS65030 | 15 | Optional |
Processing, Storage & Disposal of Nuclear Waste | PHYS65060 | 15 | Optional |
Particle Engineering in the Nuclear Industry | PHYS65070 | 15 | Optional |
Reactor Thermal Hydraulics | PHYS65180 | 15 | Optional |
Severe Accidents | PHYS65280 | 15 | Optional |
Primary Circuit Materials and Manufacturing | PHYS65410 | 15 | Optional |
Control and Instrumentation (C&I) and Functional Safety | PHYS65420 | 15 | Optional |
Tritium and the Fusion Fuel Cycle | PHYS65430 | 15 | Optional |
Scholarships and bursaries
For more information about these scholarships please visit Manchester Master's Bursary and Funding Opportunities - Nuclear Technology Education Consortium .
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
The aim of this programme is to give graduates and professionals a firm grounding in Nuclear Science & Technology in order to facilitate their advancement in this substantial industry.
See below some of the roles our graduates are now employed in:
- Safety Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Nuclear Safety Consultant
- Senior Engineer
- Consultant
Manchester is the most targeted university by graduate employers*. Take a look below at just some of the employers our graduates have gone on to work for:
- Rolls-Royce Plc
- BAE Systems
- Cavendish Nuclear
- National Nuclear Laboratory
- Cerberus Nuclear Ltd
- Abbott Risk Consulting
- Jacobs
- Corporate Risk Associates
- Sellafield Sites Limited
- EDF Energy
Accrediting organisations
IoM3, EI, IMechE, IET.