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Nuclear Science and Engineering (Taught)

  • MSc
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Postgraduate
Clifton Campus
More about University of Bristol

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
Apply directly to the university/college

Course summary

Nuclear Science and Engineering is an exciting area of research and industrial investment in the UK. Nuclear energy has historically supplied around 20% of the UK's electricity, and significant investments are underway into the construction of new reactors at Hinkley Point C, with Sizewell C and further new reactors expected in the coming decade. The existing generation of advanced gas-cooled reactors are been decommissioned, and new, advanced fission, such as High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGR), fusion reactors, such as the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), and small modular reactors (SMR) are being designed. As a result, there is huge demand for graduates with the knowledge and skills to work in the nuclear industry.

Our MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering teaches you the science and engineering background to the operation of nuclear fission and fusion energy. The MSc prepares you for a career in industry or academia, combining the strengths of our science and engineering faculties with an established programme of nationally recognised industrial research.

The MSc has been developed and delivered in partnership with industry, including a focus on nuclear professionalism. After completing the programme, you will be familiar with the nuclear industry and its unique safety culture, which will prepare you to enter the industry or continue in academia. The programme offers a unique multidisciplinary experience and is a key part of the South West Nuclear Hub. The MSc is endorsed by the Nuclear Institute (NI), the professional body representing nuclear professionals in the UK.

Our industrial partners, including EDF Energy, Amentum, UKNNL, Sellafield Ltd., UKAEA, Kyoto Fusioneering, Rolls Royce and many others, sponsor and provide guidance on some of our student research projects. Students can apply for bursaries from industry partners they have worked with during their placement. Additionally, bursaries contributing towards living costs are available for home students, which are funded through UKAEA’s FOSTER Programme, DESNZ and TNIBF.

The University of Bristol is ranked in the UK top five for Physics research (THE analysis of REF 2021), with an excellent reputation for teaching and learning.

More information on the MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering is available on the South West Nuclear Hub Teaching pages: https://southwestnuclearhub.ac.uk/teaching/msc/

Assessment method

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2026/msc-nuclear-science-engineering.pdf

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Clifton Campus

Study options

  • MSc • Full-time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • September 2026

How to apply

International applicants

The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries

This course has a subject classification which requires students whose nationality is outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to have an ATAS certificate, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application.

Further information can be found on the UK Government's website: www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Open days

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
  • 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.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

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 1 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: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

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: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/

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