PhD Nuclear Engineering: The University of Manchester

Course description

Nuclear energy is the only large-scale provider of low-carbon electricity in the UK, accounting for 22% of their current electricity production. In 2006 there were 23 nuclear reactors operating the in UK including: eight Magnox reactors, the last due to close in 2010, fourteen Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGRs), the last due for decommissioning in 2023, and one Pressurised Water Reactors due for decommissioning in 2035.

Before and beyond this the UK Government must not rule out the possibility that new nuclear build might be necessary at some point in the future in order to meet their ambitions on reducing carbon emissions.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the country continues to sustain its existing nuclear power stations, and deal with historic liabilities through the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Nuclear Decommissioning Engineering is a major research theme in MACE and is well supported by EPSRC and the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency.  The UK has a number of nuclear facilities, fuel reprocessing plants, reactors and research facilities that are now no longer required.  A number of 'end of life' options have been considered and a total systems approach to determine the optimum decommissioning strategy for the diverse range of legacy nuclear plants is being undertaken.

Course aims

A PhD is the target of most postgraduate students who relish the opportunity to undertake a research project with intellectual, scientific, industrial or commercial challenges. Those from industrial backgrounds may also find it possible to partake in this level of graduate work, which is of particular value to the individuals training and development.

Depending on your education and work experience you may register directly for a PhD Degree, however some students will initially register for an MPhil degree, where after one year if satisfactory progress is made you will progress onto the second year of a PhD.

For both a direct PhD and MPhil-PhD degree the period of study would be three years full-time or the part-time equivalent. Students would also be permitted to register as a writing-up student for 12 months at the end of the degree to complete your dissertation.

This programme route is also available as a split-site option, which enables overseas students to split their studies between the UK and their home country. If a student would like to take this route a supervisor must be appointed in the UK and overseas, and confirmation of free time and study plan must be approved by both supervisors.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

A student may be admitted to a PhD degree only if an appropriate research environment is available for the duration of the degree. This should include the availability of appropriate academic staff to provide supervision and training, other research-support staff, research facilities and learning resources.

Applicants for admission will normally hold a Bachelors degree or equivalent qualification, a Masters Degree or equivalent qualification, or both. The level of attainment for the Bachelor's degree will normally be equivalent to that of a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours UK Bachelor's degree. Some areas of study may require a Master's level qualification in a relevant discipline for admission to a PhD.

Professional qualifications other than a Bachelor's Degree and/or relevant and appropriate experience may be taken into account for entry to a PhD degree.

Applicants for admission to PhD who do not meet the above criteria, but who hold a Bachelor's degree with Lower Second Class Honours or equivalent qualification, may be admitted to the degree of MPhil in the first instance. Following completion of one year's registration, candidates will be required to demonstrate, through a formal progress report and meeting that they have achieved a satisfactory performance in terms of a standard consistent with the award of the degree of MPhil, in order to be allowed to progress to year two of PhD registration.

English language:

All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in the English language. Applicants who do not already posses a recognised English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test such as IELTS or TOEFL and attain a minimum of IELTS 6.5 ( with no sub test less than 5.5), TOEFL 570 with 5.0 in the TWE (Computer-based 230 or above or Internet-based 88-89 or above).