Materials with Nuclear Engineering

Materials with nuclear engineering combines the science of how materials are structured, processed and used with the specialised engineering principles that underpin nuclear power generation and the safe management of radioactive materials. Materials science is concerned with understanding the relationship between the structure of matter at the atomic and molecular level and the properties it exhibits at the macroscopic scale, including strength, conductivity, optical behaviour and response to extreme environments. Nuclear engineering applies this and other physical principles to the design, operation and decommissioning of nuclear reactors and associated facilities, a field of growing significance as the energy transition creates new demand for low-carbon power.

At Imperial College London, this four-year programme develops your understanding of how technological advances transform everyday life while also giving you the opportunity to specialise in nuclear engineering. You will develop a thorough grounding in materials science, including structural and functional materials, processing and characterisation, alongside the nuclear engineering topics of reactor physics, radiation safety, fuel cycles and waste management. Imperial's position as one of the world's leading science and engineering universities means you will study alongside research that operates at the frontier of both fields.

Graduates in materials with nuclear engineering are well placed for careers in the nuclear energy sector, including roles in reactor design, operations, fuel management and decommissioning. The materials dimension of the degree also opens careers in aerospace, automotive and advanced manufacturing industries, where the selection, processing and testing of materials is central to product development. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in materials science, nuclear engineering or energy systems.

The combination of skills is particularly relevant in an energy landscape where nuclear power plays a growing role alongside renewables in decarbonising electricity generation.