Nuclear Engineering with Placement Year

Nuclear energy is so much more than power stations and reactors. It’s used in medical applications such as radiotherapy, scans and sterilisation; it creates carbon efficient energy contributing to reducing climate change; it powers space crafts; and even helps to make our food safe. Nuclear engineers focus on the design, application and maintenance of the systems and processes required to successfully utilise nuclear energy in these industries. At Lancaster we have close connections to three nuclear energy sites within a 30 mile radius and you will benefit from site visits, project work and guest lectures.

What to expect
This degree starts with your general engineering first year and includes core themes of design, materials, thermodynamics and heat transfer, along with mathematics. You’ll share this experience with all our School of Engineering students, regardless of their specialisation.

In Year 2 is where you start to specialise in nuclear engineering and you will learn core themes such as nuclear science, nuclear engineering systems, decommissioning and nuclear safety taught by staff with world-leading expertise. Working in our two new engineering buildings with state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll develop your creativity and technical skills as you design, build and test to solve real-world problems.

Your third year enables you to apply your skills in an individual project, during which you will learn to use professional software and develop your research and design skills further. Previous examples of projects that you can work on include mixed field radiometrics, cosmic radiation monitoring and accelerator mass spectroscopy. You will also gain specialist knowledge in key nuclear applications, develop an interdisciplinary approach, and apply engineering principles to analyse key processes. This experience will allow you to grow and enhance your professional and discipline specific skills, and you will gain relevant real-world experience.

Your placement
In Year 4, you will undertake a year in industry that will enable you to apply the knowledge and skills learnt so far and gain invaluable experience. We have extensive links built through our leadership in research and have students undergoing placements with multinational corporate companies to smaller specialist SMEs. Once you have completed your placement, you will write an extended reflective piece about your time spent with the company.

Master’s-level training
In the final year, you will be guided by our research excellence in nuclear engineering, fusion and chemical processes; as well as our partnerships with Sellafield Ltd, Westinghouse Springfield Fuels Ltd and other specialist companies. You will undertake an individual project that will allow you to develop your interests towards your future career. Working in collaboration with an industry partner, or as part of one of our research activities, you will develop the ability to critically analyse and evaluate a project brief, gain experience in project management and learn to input your specialism into a wider context. Previous examples of projects that you can work on include mixed field radiometrics, cosmic radiation monitoring and accelerator mass spectroscopy. This year will solidify your knowledge, placing you in an excellent position to launch your engineering career and progress toward achieving Chartered Engineer status.

Personal development
You will develop valuable transferable skills that make you highly desirable to future employers, such as working in collaboration, communication, and the ability to design, build, and implement systems. You will grow practical skills in testing, system maintenance, digital proficiencies, and the ability to consider and maintain work safety practices in the nuclear industry.

Important Information
For the most up-to-date course information and more details, we recommend that you revisit our website before submitting your application.