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Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management MSc/PG Diploma

Start date
September
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024/25:
£10,530 UK students
£29,430 International Students
Further fee information is available.

Our Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management Masters programme effectively prepares you for a career in the nuclear industry, supporting you to develop the scientific understanding and practical skills to address the challenges in this area.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

In the UK we currently have 17 nuclear sites at various stages of decommissioning, ranging from first generation Magnox reactors, sites at Sellafield, Springfields and Capenhurst, as well as the fast-reactor research facility at Dounreay.

This programme covers a wide range of the skills required to work in the nuclear industry and is co-taught with world-leading academic staff from different Schools within the University. Learning is via lectures and practical sessions,  supported by field trips and industry seminars.

You will study all of your taught modules and in the summer you will work on your own research project chosen from a wide range of topics in the field.

This project may be conducted at the University, but more frequently in recent years we have arranged for projects to be undertaken within industry, giving students an opportunity for direct interaction and enhancing their employment prospects.

Why study Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management Masters at Birmingham?

  • The University of Birmingham has a long and established track record of research and education in the nuclear sector, including reactor technology, metallurgy and materials, decommissioning and waste management, dating back to the earliest days of the nuclear industry.
  • The University runs one of the longest-standing Masters level courses in the nuclear sector (over 50 years), in the Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors (PTNR). The University has extensive links to the nuclear industry and regulators both within the UK and internationally, including National Nuclear Labs, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Idaho National Labs, NAGRA, British Energy, AMEC, Serco, HSE (NII), Atkins, Babcock Marine, Westinghouse, UKAEA, EDF, E.ON and npower.
  • Exploit the career opportunities in a growing sector, with demand for high quality graduates increasing with the decommissioning of the current fleet of reactors
  • Develop research skills that will also provide a strong foundation for further postgraduate study
  • Build relevant skills and knowledge in nuclear sciences, geosciences and materials science to prepare graduates like you for a career in nuclear decommissioning, waste management and remediation

Modules

This course consists of 180 credits. 120 credits are assessed through the core taught modules and 60 credits are awarded following the successful completion of your research project.

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25

  • UK students: £10,530 full-time, £5,265 part-time
  • International students: £29,340

Learn more about fees and funding.

 

Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Postgraduate Loans (PGL) for Masters students

UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) looking to pursue a Masters programme in the UK can apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC).

The loan will be paid directly to you, into a UK bank account. It is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your own discretion.

Learn more about applying for PGL 

Scholarships

We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships for taught programmes and research opportunities to ensure the very best talent is nurtured and supported at postgraduate level.

University scholarships

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

Our Birmingham Masters Scholarship offers £2,000 via a tuition fee discount, to support the brightest and best applicants from UK or Ireland undertaking Masters study at Birmingham during 2024-2025.

 

How To Apply

International applicants requiring visas

Applications to this programme from students who are international for fees will close 7 May 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

UK and non-Tier 4 applicants

Applications will close 31 August 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject (eg, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, mathematics, geoscience or any physical sciences subject). 2.2 degrees may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on modules taken. Learn more about entry requirements. 

International Requirements



International Students

English language

For students whose first language is not English, one of the following English language qualifications is required:

 
  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

The staff in the Physics department are really supportive....the course leader was really accessible and super helpful too.

Jennifer, MSc Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management

This programme covers a wide range of the skills required to work in the nuclear industry and is co-taught with world-leading academic staff from different Schools within the University.

Learning is via lectures and practical sessions, supported by field trips and industry seminars. A variety of assessment methods are used, including laboratory exercises, written coursework, case study reports, oral presentations and standard examinations.

There is currently a significant shortage of skilled graduates in the field of nuclear decommissioning and waste management, both within the UK and globally. This degree course is a response to the skills shortage, and seeks to train high quality graduates for the Nuclear Industry. The sector will grow, and the demand for high quality graduates increase with the decommissioning of the current fleet of reactors.

Typically, two thirds of our students have jobs or PhDs lined up to walk into upon completion of the course before they have even finished the MSc. Most of the remaining one third will have something within a few months of graduating, and with a total eventual recruitment into the nuclear industry of about 90%.

The research skills acquired will also provide a strong foundation for those wishing to undertake further postgraduate study towards the award of a PhD.

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.