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Studies & Degrees in Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineering deals with the release, control and use of nuclear energy and with the handling of radioactive materials. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics describes nuclear engineers as people who research and develop projects or address problems concerning the release, control and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. Power generation is the best-known application: according to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear energy provides about 9% of the world's electricity from about 440 power reactors in 31 countries. The field is wider than power plants, however. It also covers fusion, the medical and industrial uses of radiation, radiation detection and protection, nuclear materials, and nuclear safety and security policy.

What students learn

The basis is mathematics and physics. On that basis students take reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, nuclear materials, radiation detection and shielding, the nuclear fuel cycle and safety analysis. The master's programme offered jointly by ETH Zurich and EPFL, for example, covers the processes and technologies of energy conversion in nuclear power plants and the entire fuel cycle, from the extraction and processing of nuclear fuel to its disposal, with further courses on fusion and on non-energy applications of radiation in medicine and industry. Laboratory work is a large part of the training, and some universities have their own research reactor: Idaho State University states that it has one of only 24 university-operated nuclear reactors in the United States, and The Pennsylvania State University uses its Breazeale Reactor for research and instruction.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree. In the United States nuclear engineering is a bachelor's subject in its own right. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nuclear engineers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field, and some universities offer five-year programmes that lead to both a bachelor's and a master's degree. Idaho State University offers a Bachelor of Science accredited by ABET, the US accreditation body for engineering programmes. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers two undergraduate routes: a traditional degree and a flexible one for an interdisciplinary specialisation such as fusion, quantum engineering or the use of radiation in health.
  • Master's degree. In continental Europe students usually specialise at master's level after a bachelor's degree in engineering or physics. The MSc in Nuclear Engineering of the Politecnico di Milano lasts two years and is taught in English. The joint ETH Zurich and EPFL master's has 120 ECTS credits over two years, also in English. In Spain, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona offers an official master's degree in Nuclear Engineering of 90 ECTS credits and 1.5 academic years, taught in English, with English level B2.2 required. UPC gives approximate fees of €1,743, or €4,050 for non-EU residents. It is open to graduates in engineering, physics or chemistry.
  • Doctorate. Some jobs, such as those in research and development, require a master's degree or a PhD. Penn State, for instance, runs four programmes: a bachelor of science, a master of science, a master of engineering and a doctoral degree.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 21 active schools for nuclear engineering. Eleven are in the United States, two in Spain and two in France; Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, China, Kenya and Egypt have one each. The American entries include MIT, the University of Michigan, Purdue University, The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, The University of California at Berkeley, Oregon State University and Idaho State University. In Europe the list includes the Politecnico di Milano, ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, Sorbonne Université and EPF in France. Elsewhere it includes Harbin Engineering University, the University of Nairobi and Alexandria University. The Spanish entries are the Universidad de Huelva and Mester, a Spanish language school in Salamanca.

The master's programmes in Milan, Zurich and Barcelona mentioned above are taught in English, as are the American programmes.

Careers

MIT lists reactor design, fusion applications, policy, detection of nuclear materials and environmental monitoring among the options for graduates. In the United States the largest employers of nuclear engineers are nuclear electric power generation, scientific research and development services, the federal government and engineering services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects little or no change in the employment of nuclear engineers from 2025 to 2035, with about 800 openings a year, mostly to replace people who leave the occupation.

The picture differs by country. UPC states that nuclear engineering graduates are in high demand in Europe, partly because of the need to replace staff who retire from European nuclear power plants.

Frequently asked questions

Which school subjects matter most for nuclear engineering?

Mathematics and physics. MIT recommends a strong background in both, and notes that nuclear science is not normally taught at secondary school.

Can I study nuclear engineering in English in Europe?

Yes. The master's degrees of the Politecnico di Milano, of ETH Zurich with EPFL and of UPC in Barcelona are all taught in English.

Do I need a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering to enter a master's?

No. The ETH Zurich and EPFL master's accepts bachelor's degrees in subjects such as mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, electrical engineering and materials science, and UPC admits graduates in engineering, physics or chemistry.

Do nuclear engineers need a licence?

In the United States a licence is not required for entry-level positions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineering licence. Rules differ in other countries.