Teaching
During the first two years, structured training will be delivered through a combination of in person and hybrid courses. Approximately four weeks of structured training will be completed each year in years 1 and 2. Training will be completed as a cohort in Cambridge and in other partner institutions.
The taught framework rests on three pillars:
Nuclear Science and Engineering: provides technical breadth across reactor physics, radiation science, regulation and the fuel cycle.
Methods for Innovation: introduces the quantitative and computational techniques underpinning accelerated qualification
Professionalism: develops business and leadership skills through a two-year team competition where students design a costed plan for a nationally significant nuclear initiative.
This will be supplemented by PANDAmonium scenario-based exercises, site visits to place research in its wider context and an annual student conference.
| One to one supervision |
PhD students can expect to attend at least eight hour-long individual meetings with their supervisor every calendar year. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice for Research Students which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes |
Seminars will take place in both Cambridge and at any of the Universities/Labs involved in the consortia |
| Lectures |
Lectures will take place in both Cambridge and at any of the Universities/Labs involved in the consortia |
| Practicals |
Practicals will take place in both Cambridge and at any of the Universities/Labs involved in the consortia |
| Literature Reviews |
A Literature Review will form part of the thesis |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Predominantly Research
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Placements
Mandatory industrial placements are an integral part of the course. Students will undertake a three-month placement each year in years 2, 3 and 4.
Feedback
Students can expect to receive written termly reports from their supervisor via an online system and will be able to submit an online self-evaluation report each year.
Students will receive comments on items of work completed as part of the structured training and will have access to a University supervisor to support their research. All students will also have personal access to the course director and the other staff delivering the course.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The outcome of the PhD programme is determined through the submission and examination of a 65,000-word thesis. Examination will include an oral examination on the thesis and the general field of knowledge within which it falls by two examiners.
Essays
There will be assessments during the taught component with formative feedback provided.
Other
All PhD students are probationary at first and progression (and registration for the PhD) depends on a successful probationary review. In the 4th term (or part-time equivalent), students are required to submit a report and have an oral assessment on the report contents and plans for the remainder of the project.