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.

TheÊNuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management programme offered by the University of BirminghamÊcovers a wide range of theÊskills required to work in the nuclear industryÊand is co-taught with world-leading academic staff from different Schools within the University.ÊLearning is via lectures and practical sessions, Êsupported by field trips and industry seminars.

In the autumn and spring semesters, you willÊstudy all of your taught modules.ÊIn the summer you will work on your ownÊresearch project chosen from a wide rangeÊof topics in the field.

This project may beÊconducted at the University, but more frequentlyÊin recent years we have arranged for projectsÊto be undertaken within industry, giving studentsÊan opportunity for direct interaction andÊenhancing their employment prospects.

Employability

There is currently a significant shortage of skilled graduates in the field of nuclear decommissioning and waste management, both within the UK and globally. ThisÊdegree courseÊis 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 haveÊjobs or PhDs lined up to walk into uponÊcompletion of the course before they haveÊeven finished the MSc. Most of theÊremaining one third will have somethingÊwithin a few months of graduating, and withÊa total eventual recruitment into the nuclearÊindustry 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.