Nuclear Engineering with Placement Year BEng Hons

Program Overview

---

Lancaster University's Nuclear Engineering with Placement Year BEng Hons program equips students with the skills and knowledge to work in the expanding nuclear sector. Through hands-on labs, state-of-the-art facilities, and an optional placement year, students gain practical experience and prepare for careers in nuclear safety, power generation, and other fields. The program is accredited by the IET and IMechE, ensuring graduates meet industry standards and are highly sought-after in the job market.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

---

Nuclear Engineering with Placement Year BEng Hons

at Lancaster University equips students with the design and implementation skills needed to work in the rapidly expanding nuclear sector. This program focuses on creativity and ingenuity, preparing students for their chosen careers through:

• Hands-on labs and project work
• Brand new state-of-the-art facilities
• Real-world experience through an optional placement year
Nuclear applications cover various sectors, including healthcare, cancer treatment, power generation, national security, and decommissioning activity. The industry is set to experience immense growth over the next ten years, with an estimated global spend of £930 billion for building new reactors and £250 billion for decommissioning those coming offline. This growth has the potential to generate 40,000 jobs in the UK nuclear sector alone. The program begins with a common first year, where students gain a firm foundation in various engineering principles. Students will have the opportunity to consider and plan their academic progression during this time, choosing either to begin their dedicated nuclear engineering study or move onto other specialist programs offered by the department. Specialist modules in nuclear engineering begin in the second year. These modules cover topics such as nuclear chemistry, nuclear engineering systems, and nuclear safety. As the program focuses on core aspects of nuclear engineering, students will develop practical skills by testing and analyzing their design ideas in the laboratory or through computer simulation using engineering IT tools. Students have the option to undertake a year in industry during their third year, gaining valuable experience and enhancing their employability. The department has extensive links thanks to its leadership in research, with students undertaking placements with:
• Multinational corporate companies
• Smaller specialist SMEs
Once students have completed their placement, they will write an extended reflective piece about their time spent with the company. The BEng course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of:
• Fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer
• Partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a chartered engineer
The degree is also professionally accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

---

Outline:

The program structure provides a clear understanding of the learning journey students will undertake:

---

Year 1 - Common for all engineering students:

• Fundamentals of Engineering Applications
• Fundamentals of Engineering Science
• Numerical and Analytical Methods in Engineering

---

Year 2 - Specialization in Nuclear Engineering:

• Core Modules
• Business Development Project
• Decommissioning and Sustainability
• Electromagnetics & RF Engineering
• Engineering Analysis
• Engineering Projects
• Instrumentation and Control
• Nuclear Engineering
• Power Engineering

---

Year 3 - Optional Placement Year:

• Students spend this year working in a graduate-level placement role gaining industry experience.

---

Year 4 - Final year:

• Core Modules
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Engineering Management
• Engineering Materials
• Individual BEng Project
• Integrated Circuit Engineering
• Nuclear Instrumentation
• Nuclear Medicine

---

Assessment:

Assessment methods employed in the program include:

• Coursework assignments
• Examinations
• Laboratory reports
• Individual and group projects
• Oral presentations
Assessment criteria vary depending on the individual modules. However, a general emphasis is placed on:
• Technical knowledge and understanding
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Design and implementation skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Professionalism and teamwork

---

Teaching:

The program employs a blend of teaching methods to maximize student learning:

• Lectures delivered by world-class academics
• Seminars for interactive discussion and problem-solving
• Tutorials for individualized support and guidance
• Laboratory sessions for hands-on experimentation and data analysis
• Project work for applying theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges
The program boasts a highly qualified and experienced faculty, many of whom are actively involved in cutting-edge research. This ensures that students benefit from the latest developments in the field of nuclear engineering.

---

Careers:

Graduates from the program are well-equipped to pursue a wide range of careers in the nuclear industry, including:

• Nuclear Safety Engineer
• Nuclear Graduate Scheme
• CE Safety Engineer
• Global Manufacturing Trainee
• Operations Graduate
• Molecular Imaging Application Specialist
The program also prepares students for further study and leadership positions in academia and research. Graduates from Lancaster University Engineering degrees are highly sought-after, with a median starting salary of £29,000 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).

---

Other:

Additional program highlights include:

• Access to cutting-edge facilities and equipment in the state-of-the-art engineering building
• The opportunity to study abroad during the optional placement year
• Participation in the Lancaster Award to gain vital life and work experience through volunteering, career development, and community involvement
The program provides students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education, preparing them for successful careers in the dynamic and rewarding field of nuclear engineering.

---

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Home International £9,250 £28,675