MEng Civil Engineering

This nuclear systems unit aims to provide students with an interesting and broad understanding of a nuclear engineering environment applicable to both fission and fusion systems.  This course provides students with an excellent foundation for any prospective engineer seeking an interest in the nuclear energy sector and will cover three key areas:
a) The history of nuclear power, the design of different reactor types, elementary reactor physics and thermal hydraulics, safety and protection, and reactor materials.
b) An introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle including fuel design and manufacture, in-reactor fuel behaviour, nuclear transport, options for spent fuel management, recycling uranium and plutonium.
c) The management of wastes including waste storage, waste disposal, treatment and long term storage options.

 

This unit aims to provide engage third year engineering students with an understanding of nuclear powered systems.  In particular, focus is given to the diversity of design, operation and decommissioning of nuclear reactors including an introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle and safety.

The syllabus is divided in to key areas, each of which will support the student to develop knowledge and understanding of the nuclear environment. There areas are detailed as:

1. History of nuclear energy, Introduction to reactor systems and core design and an Introduction to nuclear physics – The aims of these lectures are to familiarise the student to the basics of nuclear engineering.  The student will be able to describe the design of different reactor types, have a understanding of elementary reactor physics and thermal hydraulics and apply this knowledge to the design of past, present and future reactor cores.
2. Nuclear installation and Safety - The aim of these lectures is to give the students an introduction to the principles of nuclear installation safety, radiation protection and risk assessment, it will also allow the accidents presented in other parts of the module to be understood more fully.
3. Reactor types:
¿ Graphite moderated reactor including Materials Test Reactors, British Gen I (Magnox), Gen II (AGR’s) High Temperature Reactors and worldwide graphite reactors including RBMK.
¿ Water reactors including PWR, BWR and HWR. The students will also develop an understanding of basic radiation chemistry in water reactors. These lectures will provide the to the students with a good background to current reactors systems
¿ Fast reactors and Advanced Concepts including fusion design – These lectures will introduce to the students the concepts of Gen IV nuclear systems, In particular the practical implementation of these designs, the aspects of claimed inherent safety, fuel cycle, economics and non-proliferation aspects.
4. Reactor chemistry and non fissile materials - The aims of these lectures are for the students to have knowledge and understanding of the choice of materials for nuclear application and of irradiation ageing of nuclear materials due to fast neutron damage and radiolytic oxidation.
5. Radiation Protection – The aims of these lectures are to develop the students understanding of safety and protection, in particular the focus will be towards radiation detection and monitoring. An understanding of the principles governing radiological protection and Ionising Radiation Regulations, and evaluating the effects of exposure to radiation will also be undertaken.
6. Nuclear fuel, Fuel cycle and waste – Aims to give students a in depth understanding of the nuclear fuel cycle including fuel design and manufacture, in-reactor fuel behaviour, nuclear transport, options for spent fuel management, recycling uranium and plutonium.
7. Nuclear waste and decommissioning  - These lectures aim to provide the students with a comprehensive understanding of the management of wastes generated from the nuclear process  (non fissile) including waste storage, waste disposal, treatment and long term storage options.

Individual feedback will be given to the students via the return of their coursework, which will have been appropriately annotated and marked by the lecturer. In addition class feedback is given within the lectures.

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £37,500 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

There is acompulsory field course for Civil Engineering students which incurs a subsidised fee* (approx. £100) that contributes to travel, accommodation, and subsistence. You are expected to bring your own wet weather clothing and footwear.

The exact cost and dates of the trip are confirmed at the start of your second year.

*In accordance with current university policy, this fee is restricted to be not more than 1% of the annual tuition fee of the course.

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).

The University of Manchester is 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 fees and funding, please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the scholarships and bursaries page.