Nuclear Engineering with Placement Year Lancaster University

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. It’s a highly skilled branch of engineering and graduates are well placed for the expansion of the nuclear industry over the next ten years. 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

Our four-year BEng Hons Nuclear Engineering with Placement Year 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. We think this makes you a well-rounded graduate, with excellent teamwork and communications skills, prepared for a career where you will often work in multidisciplinary teams.

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 final 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.

Take further steps towards professional engineering with management skills, project management, and industry engagement. Sustainability, safety, ethics and quality management are kept in focus too.

Your placement

In Year 3, 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.

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. With a year’s experience added to your CV, you will be a standout graduate.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

Hide all sectionsA levels

ABB. This should include Mathematics and a physical science subject, for example, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Design & Technology or Further Mathematics.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 Level 3 credits at Merit, but you would need to have covered appropriate subject content.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Pre-2016 specifications: DDM in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians units.

2016 specifications: DDM in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in the following units - Unit 1 Engineering Principles, Unit 7 Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems. Unit 8 Further Engineering Mathematics is highly recommended.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BB plus BTEC at D. This should include sufficient content in Mathematics and a physical science.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including either:

1. Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grad 6 in a HL Physical Science

2. Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in two SL Physical Sciences

3. Mathematics SL grade 7 (analysis and approaches) plus grade 6 in a HL Physical Science

Acceptable physical science subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Design Technology.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Only accepted alongside A level Mathematics grade B. The following subjects accepted at Distinction overall, alongside A level Mathematics grade B: Design and development for engineering manufacturing; Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control; Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing. The following subjects considered on a case by case basis, alongside A level Mathematics grade B: Design, surveying and planning for construction; Building services engineering for construction; Onsite construction.

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 6/B, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.