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Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer - Degree Apprenticeship

Summary

Advance your career in nuclear engineering with the Nuclear Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. Designed with industry leaders BAE Systems and Westinghouse Springfields Fuels, this unique programme delivers the multi-disciplinary and technical skills needed to succeed as a nuclear engineer.

It also provides a thorough understanding of the complex nuclear business, including safety and, looking to the future, environmental and operational changes to the nuclear industry. The programme comprises the Foundation Degree and BEng (Hons) Nuclear Engineering, awarded by Lancaster University – a UK top 15 university and highly ranked in international league tables such as the QS World Rankings.

  • Course code EN00067
  • Duration
  • Day/s of week Monday
  • Time 09:00 - 17:00

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
Sep/Oct 2024
Lancashire Energy HQ
09 Sep 2025
Lancashire Energy HQ

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Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

A degree in nuclear engineering offers transferrable skills in a wide variety of fields, including nuclear, automotive, civil, control and instrumentation, electrical, or mechanical engineering. Some graduates pursue roles in the design and analysis of complex engineering systems such as nuclear reactors, whilst some pursue roles within engineering management. Graduates may later seek to attain professional recognition such as Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or certified Engineering Technician (EngTech).

Engineering tends to attract comparatively high salaries for graduates compared with other subjects of study, and is consistently among the highest paid professions in the UK. A small proportion of engineering graduates move into support areas such as project management, procurement, or design, calling on their technical and analytical abilities developed throughout their study.

Graduates from the BEng (Hons) programme enter employment locally, nationally or even internationally with an industry-recognised qualification. They can also choose to progress onto level 7 courses (master’s degrees), which are offered by Lancaster University and other universities nationwide.

Key information

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for a degree apprenticeship you must first be employed within an appropriate setting/sector and have confirmation of sponsorship.

You will need a minimum of 80 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline and GCSEs in English Language, maths and a science subject at grade 4 (previously grade C) or above.

Your employer will be able to offset the tuition fees associated with this programme against the Apprenticeship Levy; they should seek financial guidance on this through professional services.

Please note: Where wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a mandatory requirement of the course, it is the responsibility of the learner to ensure that they are able to wear such equipment. Further information can be obtained at the IAG session which all applicants are invited to or by calling Course Enquiries on 01253 504343.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

You will need to provide your own stationery and scientific calculator. You might also need personal protective equipment for workshops, such as boots, gloves and overalls. We will provide guidance about any equipment you’re going to need in advance of the relevant workshop.

Free learning resources are available from Monday to Saturday at our Bispham Campus and University Centre. You will also need access to a computer and the internet for independent study.

We recommended you become a member of a Professional Engineering Institution, which will incur a small associated cost.

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

This programme will provide you with the opportunity to become an independent nuclear engineer with a broad knowledge of the sector as well as the skills needed to perform your role to a high standard.

Throughout the degree apprenticeship you will need to be employed within a relevant sector; we will liaise closely with your employer to support your continued progress and success.

Opportunities may arise during your apprenticeship to undertake relevant field trips. Where possible transport will be provided although on occasion you may be required to make your own way there.

Learning and Teaching Methods

This course is studied on a modular basis, leading to a foundation degree qualification after three years, and, following a further two years of study, an honours top-up degree.

The programme content is delivered over one day a week, which can be arranged to fit around your workplace schedule and the demands of your employer. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study, however the programme structure is designed to ease you into this with opportunities for you to develop your academic skills and literacy.

Teaching methods range from lectures and seminars through to group tutorials and working in small groups in our nuclear simulator, and our materials and manufacturing labs. You will also have open access to our online programme resources.

We will allocate you your own personal tutor who will guide you throughout the course, support your development, advise you on future career paths and generally help you to get the most out of your time with us.

Industry Placement and Field Trips

This programme will provide you with the opportunity to become an independent nuclear engineer with a broad knowledge of the sector as well as the skills needed to perform your role to a high standard.

Throughout the degree apprenticeship you will need to be employed within a relevant sector; we will liaise closely with your employer to support your continued progress and success.

Opportunities may arise during your apprenticeship to undertake relevant field trips. Where possible transport will be provided although on occasion you may be required to make your own way there.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I learn?

This course is studied on a modular basis, leading to a foundation degree qualification after three years, and, following a further two years of study, an honours top-up degree.

The programme content is delivered over one day a week, which can be arranged to fit around your workplace schedule and the demands of your employer. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study, however the programme structure is designed to ease you into this with opportunities for you to develop your academic skills and literacy.

Teaching methods range from lectures and seminars through to group tutorials and working in small groups in our nuclear simulator, and our materials and manufacturing labs. You will also have open access to our online programme resources.

We will allocate you your own personal tutor who will guide you throughout the course, support your development, advise you on future career paths and generally help you to get the most out of your time with us.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Entry Requirements 

To be eligible for a degree apprenticeship you must first be employed within an appropriate setting/sector and have confirmation of sponsorship.

You will need a minimum of 80 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline and GCSEs in English Language, maths and a science subject at grade 4 (previously grade C) or above.

Your employer will be able to offset the tuition fees associated with this programme against the Apprenticeship Levy; they should seek financial guidance on this through professional services.

 

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

The modules you will study at each level, together with the corresponding assessment type and percentage weighting, are outlined in the tables below.

Assessment is by both examination and coursework, with the latter consisting of case studies, technical reports or presentations, or a combination of all the above.

The programme also features a range of formative assessment activities, designed to provide ongoing feedback and highlight opportunities to support the development of your confidence, knowledge, skill and aptitudes for learning.
 

Level 4 (three semesters)

ModuleAssessment NumberAssessment TypeWeighting (%)
BFC402-E: Academic and Digital Literacy (Science)

1

2

3

Coursework - Essay

Presentation

Coursework - Reflective Report

50

50

PASS/FAIL

NCL402: Mechanical Engineering Science

1

2

Coursework - Essay

Examination

50

50

NCL403: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science

1

2

Coursework - Report

Examination

50

50

NCL404: Analytical Methods for Engineers

1

2

Coursework - Report

Examination

50

50

NCL405: Nuclear Engineering Principles1Coursework - Portfolio100
NCL406: Multi-Discipline Nuclear Engineering

1

2

Coursework - Report

Practical and Presentation

50

50


Level 5 (three semesters)

ModuleAssessment NumberAssessment TypeWeighting (%)
NCL501: Materials Engineering

1

2

Coursework - Report

Practical Skills Assessment

50

50

NCL502: Further Engineering Science

1

2

Coursework - Report

Examination

40

60

NCL503: Major Project

1

2

Project

Presentation

75

25

NCL504: Engineering Management

1

2

Coursework - Essay

Coursework - Evaluation

30

70

NCL505: Nuclear Physics

1

2

Coursework - Report

Examination

40

60

NCL506: Integrated Manufacturing Processes

1

2

Coursework - Report

Examination

50

50


Level 6 (four semesters)

ModuleAssessment NumberAssessment TypeWeighting (%)
NCL601: Fusion and Fission

1

2

Coursework - Report

Examination

40

60

NCL602: Dissertation

1

2

3

Feasibility Study

Dissertation

Presentation

5

80

15

NCL603: Nuclear Lifecycle

1

2

Coursework - Report

Practical Assessment

60

40

NCL604: Nuclear Engineering Professional

1

2

Coursework - Case Study

Presentation

70

30

NCL605: Control and Simulation

1

2

Coursework - Report

Examination

40

60