This course is delivered jointly under the Nuclear Technology Education Consortium and is accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology, the Energy Institute, the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining, and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy also offers Master's by Research. Visit the course profile for more information on this option.
If you have a background in a science, engineering or technical field and are looking to get into the nuclear industry or research, the MSc Nuclear Science and Technology could be for you.
It might also be of interest if you are currently working in the nuclear industry, would like to develop your academic credentials, and work towards Chartered Engineer status or advance your professional development.
NTEC offers students a highly flexible degree course that lets students define their own structure. It includes units from leading universities and institutions across the UK, as well as the opportunity to travel to Vienna or Prague for hands-on experience operating a nuclear reactor.
The NTEC course covers a broad range of disciplines in the field of Nuclear Science and Technology. From the fundamental nuclear and radiation physics to nuclear reactor designs and the management of legacy facilities and radioactive waste, the course units address topics across the whole of the nuclear industry. We currently offer 19 different units, delivered both by The University of Manchester and partner institutions in the consortium.
Course units are designed to be standalone as far as possible, with pre-requisite units kept to a minimum. This gives students the ability to tailor their programme to their individual needs. Support is offered to all students in choosing appropriate units by the NTEC staff. S
Students enrolled in the MSc course complete a dissertation project, in addition to the taught components, enabling them to apply their knowledge and skills to contemporary challenges in the field. Dissertations are carried out in both academic and industrial environments, with the support of university academics and industrial partner organisations.
The course is available on either a full-time or part-time basis, with the options of studying for an MSc (8 units plus dissertation), Postgraduate Diploma (8 units), Postgraduate Certificate (4 units) or continuing professional development (1-2 units). The mode of study can be either in-person learning, distance learning or a combination of both. The part-time option offers the opportunity for employees to gain a postgraduate qualification while remaining in full-time employment.
Course duration 12 months (full-time)
24 months (part-time)
Accreditation This course is accredited
Teaching time Approximately 33 contact hours per taught week
WHAT CAREER PATHWAYS ARE AVAILABLE TO ME?
The UK universities and higher education institutions in the Nuclear Technology Education Consortium (NTEC) provide flexible postgraduate training for the nuclear sector with the breadth and format of the training designed to meet the UK’s projected nuclear skills requirements in decommissioning and clean-up, reactor technology and fusion.
The Nuclear Technology Education Consortium was established in 2005 following extensive consultations with the UK nuclear sector, including industry, regulators, the Ministry of Defence, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, government departments and the Cogent Sector Skills Council.
ACADEMIC'S VOICE
The Nuclear Science & Technology programme is designed to prepare learners for work in the nuclear industry or research. We offer a wide choice of units and a flexible programme structure so the degree can be tailored to each person’s needs.
Professor Yi Li (Henry) Professor and Chair Textile Science and Engineering
ALUMNI'S VOICE
The nuclear industry is such a fantastic place to work, and it truly is an exciting time to join the industry with increased support from the UK Government on various nuclear projects across the country as the world comes to fully appreciate that Net Zero Needs Nuclear.
Pursuing a career in the nuclear industry was the best decision I have ever made – the second best decision I made was undertaking the NTEC course which opened those doors for me. Not only did it give me the opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals, some of which were already working in the industry, but the course gave a fantastic insight into what it would be like to work in different areas of the industry.
I was also incredibly lucky to be able to undertake a summer placement at the National Nuclear Laboratories through NTEC which firmly cemented my desire to join the industry after the course. If we are to meet our net zero goals with nuclear as a key part of that energy mix, it is critical that we get the right people into the industry so we can fill the skills shortage which we currently face in the sector – and NTEC is just the course you need to equip yourself with those skills!
Saralyn Thomas MSc Nuclear Science and Technology graduate
Important information
This brochure was produced in 2025/2026 and therefore prepared in advance of course start dates. For this reason, course details, structure, and term dates may be subject to change before you apply. We reserve the right to introduce updates, including the addition, withdrawal, or restructuring of courses.
Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the most up-to-date course information before applying. Please visit: manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/courses
Further details about teaching, assessment, and other educational services offered by The University of Manchester can be found at: manchester.ac.uk/study/masters
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