University of Birmingham, School of Physics and Astronomy

The University of Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. Characterized by a tradition of innovation, research at the university has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on peoples’ lives. We continue this tradition today and have ambitions for a future that will embed our work and recognition of the Birmingham name on the international stage.

Why study with us
The University of Birmingham has by far the longest-running pedigree of any UK university in teaching nuclear power degree courses. Our physics and technology of nuclear reactors MSc (PTNR) began in 1956, the same year as the world’s first commercial nuclear power station, and continues to run to this day. Our MSc in nuclear decommissioning and waste management (NDAWM) is the only decommissioning-focused degree course in the UK. Birmingham also runs the biggest nuclear-engineering undergraduate programme in the UK.

Training and development
Our nuclear programmes have been refined over many years, and stem back to the early pioneers in the field when Otto Frisch (one of the discoverers of fission) and Sir Rudolph Peierls (one of the 20th century’s great theoretical physicists) wrote their Frisch–Peierls Memorandum at Birmingham. We have a steering group of major UK nuclear-industry companies that provide funding to the MSc courses and guidance on course content and development. They also heavily recruit from us.

Graduate schemes
Our MSc courses are postgraduate programmes intended for graduates from most engineering and physical sciences disciplines.

What we are looking for
Graduates who have a good first- or second-class degree (or equivalent) in physics or a related subject. 2.2 degrees can be considered on a case-by-case basis. PhD possibilities may also exist if the student has funding.