Teaching

The course is predominantly by research. However, there are mandatory training courses and visits to nuclear facilities in the UK and overseas. Taught courses topics normally include one or more visits to nuclear facilities at various stages as well as aspects of:

First-year:

• Introduction to Nuclear Energy
• Nuclear Safety Management
• Reactor Design and Operation
• Materials for Reactor Systems
• Fuels, Decommissioning, Waste Treatment and Disposal

Second-year:

• Nuclear policy and regulation
• Innovation in nuclear technology

Feedback

Students can expect to receive an online feedback report each term.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

Examination at the end of the programme will be by submission of a thesis for examination for the PhD degree. Word limits and requirements are set by the Degree Committee of the Department in which the PhD project is based. Further information can be found here. The examination shall include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.

Other

Students are probationary in the first year and progression to the second year (and registration to the PhD) depends on a successful first year review.

The form of probationary review is set by the Degree Committee of the Department in which the PhD project is based. Typically, students are required to submit a written progress report that summarises the aims of the project within its wider research area, the activities and results so far, and outline plans for the next stages of work. Assessment includes an oral examination, which can assess the candidate's knowledge of the broader field of nuclear energy acquired from the integrated training and site visits.

To progress to PhD study, students are expected normally to have satisfactory supervision reports in all three terms.