- UCAS course code
- H801
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Engineering (MEng)
MEng Chemical Engineering
A chemical engineering master's degree from Manchester opens up a world of opportunity.
.jpg)
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: H801 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36 points overall with 6,6,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
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).
Scholarships/sponsorships
At The University of Manchester we're committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.
For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .
Course unit details:
Nuclear Fuel Cycle
| Unit code | CHEN40221 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | Level 4 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The unit will provide an introductory overview of all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle including the mining of uranium ore, the fabrication of nuclear fuel, the nuclear fission process, treatment, transport and disposal of nuclear waste, decommissioning techniques and reprocessing methods. Emphasis on these topics will be placed on the nuclear industry within the UK, but processes used throughout the world in the nuclear sector will also be considered. Students will gain an understanding of the radiological hazards associated with working in the nuclear industry and how the associated risks can be successfully managed. Historical perspectives of nuclear energy production will be explored in conjunction with public perceptions of the nuclear industry.
Aims
The unit aims to:
-Provide an overview of both open and closed nuclear fuel cycles.
-Provide an understanding of the different forms of radiation encountered and their associated risks.
-Develop an appreciation of the complexities involved in working in the nuclear industry and an understanding of how the risks in handling radioactive material can be managed.
Teaching and learning methods
| Assessment task | Length | Weighting within unit (if relevant) |
| Continuous assessment | - | 50% |
| Exam style assessment | - | 50% |
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Describe the different forms of radiation, assess the associated risks and calculate radiation doses.
Relate the history of nuclear energy to its perception to the general public.
Explain the various processes that constitute nuclear fuel cycles including nuclear fission, and assess the efficiency of nuclear reactor designs.
Explain the concept of proliferation resistance.
Select the appropriate classification of nuclear waste by calculating radioactivity levels, and appraise the processes used for transporting, treating and disposing nuclear waste.
Explain and critique reprocessing methodologies for closing the nuclear fuel cycle.
Formulate and evaluate decommissioning strategies for nuclear sites.
Generate risk assessments and safe systems of work for the management of radioactive materials and decommissioning of nuclear sites.
Explain and justify the use of techniques for the safe handling of radioactive materials.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 50% |
| Written exam | 50% |
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 26 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 124 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Clint Sharrad | Unit coordinator |
| Kathryn George | Unit coordinator |