Get real-world experience with our placement years
Brand new state-of-the-art facilities
Practical hands-on courses including lab-based sessions and project work
Nuclear engineers design, build and operate equipment and processes that benefit humanity. Our programme focuses on creativity and ingenuity to develop your design and implementation skills and prepare you for your chosen career.
Nuclear applications cover a broad range of sectors from healthcare and cancer treatment through to power generation, national security and decommissioning activity. The industry is set to expand over the next ten years. With an estimated international spend of around £930 billion for building new reactors and £250 billion for decommissioning those coming offline, there is potential for the generation of 40,000 jobs in the UK nuclear sector alone.
Your degree will begin with a common first year, where you will be taught a series of modules that are taken by all first-year engineering students. We will introduce you to many of the key features of engineering, equipping you with a well-rounded understanding and skill set. Following the first year, you will have the opportunity to consider and plan your academic progression. At this stage, you may choose to begin your nuclear engineering study, or move onto any of our other specialist programmes.
Specialist modules in nuclear engineering begin in the second year, where you will also continue to develop your core skills as an engineer. This year you will study modules covering topics such as nuclear chemistry, nuclear engineering systems and nuclear safety. As our flexible programme begins to focus in on core aspects of nuclear engineering, you will develop practical skills, and test and analyse your design ideas in the laboratory or through computer simulation, using engineering IT tools.
On this programme, you will undertake a year in industry, gaining valuable experience and enhancing your employability. We have extensive links built through our leadership in research and have students undergoing placements with multinational corporate companies through to smaller specialist SMEs. Typically, this is undertaken during your third year, after you have gained a reasonable amount of engineering knowledge. Once you have completed your placement, you will write an extended reflective piece about your time spent with the company.
The BEng course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a chartered engineer. The degree is also professionally accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
All your teaching is delivered by world-class academics and shaped by their outstanding research output. You will gain hands-on experience with access to cutting-edge facilities and an array of high-quality equipment in our state-of-the-art engineering building.
MEng Nuclear Engineering
We also offer a MEng Nuclear Engineering programme which is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. This programme provides further skills, knowledge and experience, with a focus on leadership and management. Students wanting to transfer to this programme must achieve a minimum threshold at the end of year two.
Even before I started at Lancaster, I had always dreamt of working in the US after graduation. When I heard about the Study Abroad programme during Welcome Week, it immediately grabbed my attention. It seemed like an amazing opportunity to go to the US for a year and get the chance to develop myself both professionally, so I switched to the Nuclear Engineering with Study Abroad programme.
I ended up at Texas A&M University, and what I enjoyed the most was getting to meet new people and explore a whole new culture - including attending a college football game in the University's stadium, which was a really cool experience! I'd highly recommend getting involved in as many societies as you can whilst you're at your host university as it helps you to make friends and network with people. I joined the American Nuclear Society, which has allowed me to attend some really fascinating talks from a range of specialists within the nuclear industry.
Whilst I was in Texas, I also managed to secure myself a part-time job relating to my degree as a Radiological Safety Technician through the Environmental Health and Safety Department at the University. In this role, I get the chance to survey radioactive labs, which is giving me some excellent hands-on experience within the field.
The whole experience has really solidified my desire to move out to the US and my passion for the nuclear engineering industry. Studying abroad has changed my life for the better, so if you're thinking about applying to a study abroad scheme, my advice would be - go for it!
David Magee, MEng Nuclear Engineering (Study Abroad)
Careers
Nuclear engineering is a truly multi-disciplinary subject, going beyond just the provision of nuclear power for our electrical needs and expanding into sectors as diverse as medicine and space travel. From working in a nuclear power plant as a Nuclear Safety Engineer, to going into the automotive industry or medical and healthcare technology development, there are a wide range of career opportunities open to graduates from nuclear engineering courses – and some of our graduates even go on to further study and lead in their specialist field as academics. The ability to think creatively to solve problems, alongside your experience managing projects and applying practical and technical knowledge to novel scenarios will make you a desirable employee for careers that even sit outside of traditional engineering destinations. Graduates from our Engineering degrees are well-paid too, with a median starting salary of £29,000 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).
Here are just some of the roles that our BEng and MEng Nuclear Engineering students have progressed into upon graduating:
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Gain vital skills and experience
Each of our Engineering undergraduate programmes comes with an optional placement with a cutting-edge engineering company. Each placement will give you practical, realistic workplace experience that will make you attractive to employers after your graduation. In recent years, Lancaster University students have taken work placements with EDF, Jaguar-Land Rover, Mercedes AMG, Network Rail and more.
Entry requirements
Grade Requirements
A Level ABB
Required Subjects A level Mathematics and a Physical Science, for example, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Computer Science, Design & Technology or Further Mathematics.
GCSE Mathematics grade B/6, English Language grade C/4
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
Other Qualifications
International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including either:
Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in a HL Physical Science
Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in two SL Physical Sciences
Mathematics SL grade 7 (Analysis and Approaches) plus HL grade 6 in a Physical Science
Acceptable physical science subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Design Technology
BTEC (Pre-2016 specifications): Distinction, Distinction, Merit in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians units.
BTEC (2016 specifications): Distinction, Distinction, Merit in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in the following units – Unit 1 Engineering Principles, Unit 7 Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems. Unit 8 Further Engineering Mathematics is highly recommended.
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
Contextual admissions
Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.
Course structure
Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
This module introduces fundamental applications of engineering science to build physical components, structures and systems and create functionality across all engineering disciplines. The basics of manufacturing and processes will be explored together with design principles, methods of sensing physical, electromagnetic, electrostatic and chemical effects, and converting these effects to electrical signals and mechanical actuation.
Over the course of this module, students will learn how to manipulate and manufacture objects, synthesise chemical compounds, as well as build and code electrical interfaces. At the end of the module, students will complete a group project using CAD tools to analyse, design, capture, and manufacture engineering components, sensor interfacing, data conversion and data processing.
This module introduces concepts associated with the fundamentals of engineering science relevant to chemical, mechanical, nuclear and electrical/electronic systems. Students will learn how physical principles associated with heat, energy transfer, radiation, fluid mechanics, forces, kinetics, impedance, and atomic level behaviour govern the function of structures, processes, components, devices, and systems. These principles provide a foundation for all engineering degree programmes. By the end of the module, students will be able to apply their knowledge of these principles in a practical manner to investigate real-world challenges.
This module introduces key numerical and analytical concepts relevant to the engineering disciplines providing a foundation for all engineering programmes. Students will consolidate their skills in the use of complex numbers, calculus, differential equations, vectors, matrices and transforms as engineering tools that can be applied to the analysis and design of engineered materials, components, devices, structures, assemblies and systems.
MATLAB and Excel will be introduced to both solve mathematical problems, apply mathematical principles to data sets to generate curves, statistics and trends. Students will learn basic programming in order to implement mathematical algorithms commonly used in the engineering disciplines. Supporting laboratories will involve tasks associated with the visualisation of mathematical solutions, the processing of data sets and the use of programming techniques to implement solutions on an embedded processor or personal computer.
Core
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This module considers a range of material in the wider business development area. Students are encouraged to think with creativity, entrepreneurial flair and innovation. Practical sessions allow students to demonstrate their progress on a weekly basis through idea generation, peer presentations, elevator pitches and formal presentations. The module is accompanied by a number of external industrial speakers who have been successful in their own business endeavours and are keen to pass on that knowledge.
Students will become familiar with a rich mixture of experiential learning opportunities, that develop a wide range of transferable skills in the context of engineering entrepreneurship. The module will focus on the development and use of business plans and marketing strategies. Students will prepare a business plan, discuss team dynamics and the requirements for entrepreneurial activity. Additionally, the appropriate terminology to use when developing business projects will be explored. Students will discuss relevant aspects of company finance, uncertainty in business ventures and techniques for analysing markets. They will also examine frameworks for marketing and structuring a business plan and will develop the ability to analyse potential markets and sources of funding.
Introducing nuclear, oil, gas and chemical plant decommissioning, this module addresses the decommissioning market and related organisations. The module provides an insight into the £63bn UK nuclear decommissioning market, and follows the typical decommissioning lifecycle process from initial characterisation through to the final survey. Furthermore, the module encourages students to consider the role of decommissioning in the wider energy and transport industries. Students will gain an awareness of environmental cleanup issues as well as safe disposal, recycling and reuse of materials. Students will develop knowledge of the legislative constraints imposed on industry, specifically in the context of an environmental agenda, and will gain experience in balancing aspirations relating to the technical, economic and legal aspects of design justification.
Among the topics explored on this module, students will look at facility characterisation along with the planning and costing of decommissioning projects, as well as considering radiation issues and health and safety. Additionally, the module will cover waste disposal law, in addition to land remediation, WEEE directive, producer responsibility consumer vs. citizen and Environmental credential vs. functionality perceptions. The module also aims to enhance students’ understanding of ethical implications of technology development.
Students will learn to design and plan a decommissioning campaign, and will be able
Whilst alternating topic focus, this module explores RF engineering and electromagnetic processes in general. Students will gain knowledge of RF engineering, the decibel scale, and will explore complex number review. Additionally, the module will cover AC circuit analysis, and will provide complex representation of waves and transmission lines, along with seminars in RF transmission of data and basic RF receiver architectures.
The electromagnetic portion of the module will cover Electrostatics, including electric charge, electric field, electric flux density and electrostatic potential. Students will develop knowledge of inverse square law of force, dielectric polarisation and permittivity, as well as capacitance, energy storage, parasitic capacitance and electric screening.
Students will develop the level of understanding necessary to describe the concepts of potential, charge, field and capacitance, and will learn to apply Ampere, Faraday and Coulomb law. Students will also gain an understanding of ferromagnetic materials, and will develop the necessary skillset to calculate the magnitude and direction of the electric field strength, as well as discussing Gauss theorem and the relationship of electric flux to electric charge. Finally, students will be able to carry out noise calculations for RF systems, calculate component values and transmission line dimensions to match impedances, and will gain knowledge in the application of Smith charts to analyse an RF circuit.
This module introduces students to numerate aspects of engineering. It is designed to provide students with a broad and flexible array of mathematical methods for the analysis of data and signals. It also intends to illustrate the essential role of computing in the application of these skills. Students will use calculus for the analysis of trigonometric, non-linear, polynomial and exponential functions, and will sketch multivariable functions with a relation to engineering on three-dimensional Cartesian axes.
Additionally, students will evaluate the significance of differential equations in the description of an engineering system and will apply methods such as Laplace, integration and substitution to find the solution of these equations. They will also develop the ability to analyse systems in both the time and frequency domain using Fourier and Laplace transformations. Students will learn to apply the spectrum of approximate methods that exist for finding the roots of equations, definite integrals and linear approximations.
The matrix representation of coefficients and their correspondence will be applied to arrays in software, including the use of manipulations such as the inverse matrix. Students will use the concept of least squares analysis in order to assess the consistency of data. Finally, they will develop the ability to use a software package such as Excel for multivariable analysis of a given function and to produce appropriate graphical outcomes.
Students will be introduced to a range of key concepts in engineering project management and will put some of these into practice by means of an interdisciplinary group project. This module aims to motivate students to produce and test a functional electro mechanical machine to meet a given specification for example, the development of a mobile robot which follows a line. Students will develop a range of skills including, the ability to describe a mechanical/electrical system at the block diagram level, identifying its power and signal flows and writing an overall performance or functional specification. They will also acquire the knowledge necessary to integrate the functional requirements with other needs such as maintainability, safety, manufacturability, environmental impact and regulatory compliance. The requirements for interface management including spatial, mass, environment, control, failure modes, and energy, will also be discussed.
Additionally, students will develop the skill set required to prepare an interface management plan for a complete project and interface specifications for the subsystems/components. They will discuss the project lifecycle including specification, design, manufacture, commissioning, maintenance, modification and disposal. Finally, students will apply the principles of validating the design of a complex system using analysis, sample testing, type testing, commissioning, system tests and acceptance.
This module is designed to enhance students’ understanding of system dynamics and feedback at the block diagram level, by providing tools for the analysis of linear single degree freedom systems. Students will gain the ability to use appropriate instrumentation for feedback and data-logging purposes. The module will enable students to interface devices such as memory, digital IO and analogue IO to a microprocessor or microcontroller. They will also discover how to access such devices from within a program using C and/or Assembler.
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to develop single degree freedom models for simple mechanical, electric and electromechanical systems. They will also be able to discuss the assumptions necessary to develop such linear models and have an awareness of nonlinear and chaotic systems. Additionally, students will develop the ability to analyse 1st and 2nd order models in both the time and frequency domain, including vibrations and asymptotic stability. They will write down the transfer function of a system from its differential equation and understand the significance of the poles/zeros.
Further skills available on the module include the ability to manipulate block diagrams of open and closed-loop systems and the design of proportional, integral, derivative, velocity and multi-term controllers. Finally, students will construct and use Bode diagrams, and will develop the knowledge required to analyse the function and physical operation of a range of common types of transducer, e.g. for the measurement of strain, force, temperature and acceleration.
The first section of this module explores nuclear engineering, and will focus on its historical aspects, such as Roentgen, the Curies, Otto Hahn, the Fermi pile, Heisenberg, Manhattan project, enrichment issues, Klaus Fuchs and the UK programme, along with the influence of accidents. Additionally, students will be given an introduction to radioactivity fundamentals and neutrons, specifically their properties and processes. Students will also discover reaction modes, cross-section, 1/v and related resonances designs, such as Captain Rickover, Pile 1 and 2 and Magnox among others, as well as examining shielding physics.
The second portion of the module will explore nuclear chemistry, with particular attention paid to electronic structure, for example orbitals, electron transitions and valency. Additionally, this section will look at bonding and structure: ionic and covalent bonding, dative covalent bonding, physical bonds, metal ligand interactions, oxidation and reduction. Students will learn about uranium and its compounds: actinide chemistry, oxides and fluorides of uranium.
Students will gain the level of understanding necessary to discuss fundamental nuclear engineering concepts and define keywords, as well as historical aspects that have influenced nuclear engineering. They will also be able to discuss fundamentals of radioactivity and describe the fission process, along with the concepts of criticality and control. They module will also enable students to compare a range of reactor designs with the generic nuclear reactor, and describe how uranium mined in the ground fits into generic chemistry concepts. Finally, students will be able to describe how different compounds of uranium enable it to be extracted, refined and separated.
This module will enhance students’ knowledge of heat transfer calculations and aims to outline where these are essential to engineering design. Students will develop an understanding of electric power systems, including the characteristics of the main types of electric machine. In addition, they will gain the ability to estimate steady-state heat transfer rates and will be able to size simple parallel and contra flow heat exchangers. They will also develop the level of understanding required to estimate temperature distributions within 1-D or rotationally symmetric systems in which there is steady heat flow, as well as correctly sizing cooling fins.
Students will set up appropriate boundary conditions for 3-D heat conduction problems that are to be solved numerically using a software package and will estimate the time it takes for a thermal system to reach a steady state. Finally, they will be able to perform calculations to predict the performance of a single-phase induction motor and will be able to analyse the starting, speed and torque control methods used on induction motors.
Core
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You will spend this year working in a graduate-level placement role. This is an opportunity to gain experience in an industry or sector that you might be considering working in once you graduate.
Our Careers and Placements Team will support you during your placement with online contact and learning resources.
You will undertake a work-based learning module during your placement year which will enable you to reflect on the value of the placement experience and to consider what impact it has on your future career plans.
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The aim of this module is to introduce students to the foundations of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), including finite difference and finite volume methods, numerical solution of partial differential equations and von Neumann stability analysis. The advanced use of CFD for solving complex fluid dynamics issues will be explored and is crucial to several engineering branches including turbomachinery, hydraulic, aeronautical, renewable energy, environmental and chemical engineering.
Knowledge of the fundamental theoretical elements of CFD provided in this module enables students to correctly set up and solve problems in the aforementioned areas using state of the art commercial CFD software. The lab based component of the module aims to provide students with advanced expertise using key components of the CFD software. These include grid generation systems, CFD solvers (including choice of key physical modelling and numerical control parameters), and solution post-processors (including flow visualisation systems).
This module examines the role of management and its relevance to engineering today. In this context, specific knowledge about manufacturing systems and project financial appraisal will be introduced, together with relevant aspects of law and human resource management, industrial organisation and project costing. Students will receive an outline of company finance and reporting, along with an overview of environmental reporting, quality and safety management.
The module will reinforce students’ understanding of the role of management in industry, as well as how modern manufacturing operations are organised financially. Students will financially evaluate both large and small projects as the basis for major decisions, and will develop knowledge of what quality is and its importance to all organisations. Additionally, students will apply suitable tools for the improvement of quality, and will come to understand the importance of environmental reporting. The module will also enable students to carry out a basic level of safety management.
This module addresses the physical behaviours of a wide range of engineering materials by considering underpinning scientific concepts affecting resistance to failure by yield, fast fracture, fatigue, creep and corrosion/environmental degradation. Through the examination of case study examples, the module will inspect the connection between materials selection, processing and environmental/service conditions. The influence these factors have upon the economic and safe use of materials, in a range of common engineering applications, will also be explored.
Students will develop the ability to describe the limitations of yield based failure criteria when determining the resistance to failure by crack initiation, growth and fast-fracture. They will apply Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) concepts to the modelling of engineering components. They will gain the level of knowledge necessary to explain how fatigue testing is carried out in the laboratory, this is done whilst applying the results from such testing, to the modelling of engineering components.
The module will enhance students’ ability to describe the underpinning mechanisms that cause creep in materials. They will be able to use creep models and creep data to carry out basic calculations to predict the performance of materials under elevated temperature conditions.
Additionally, students will gain the skill set required to explain the underlying factors that affect the environmental degradation of materials, in particular those applicable to industrially significant metallic alloys. Students will reinforce their understanding of why the structural integrity of materials in engineering design, is a function of the structure-property-environment relationship. Finally, they will be able to exercise informed materials selection in engineering design.
The aim of this module is to give students experience in managing a research project and help them develop an in depth knowledge of a specific, specialist area of their subject. Students will have the opportunity to learn professional software, research, design or experimental skills consistent with their subject. They will be assigned a project title and a project supervisor who will guide and advise them throughout the project. The project involves the production of a literature review, project plan, an oral presentation, a final report and a poster.
The module will offer different outcomes depending on which topic students choose to work on. For example, they can gain knowledge of the scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin their education in the engineering discipline.
Students can also acquire the ability to apply and integrate their understanding of other engineering disciplines, to support the study of their own engineering discipline. Alternatively, students are offered the opportunity to gain an understanding of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key engineering processes.
There will be an opportunity for students to apply quantitative methods and computer software, relevant to their engineering discipline, to solve engineering problems. On the other hand, students may decide to strengthen their understanding of customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics. They could also take the opportunity to reinforce their workshop and laboratory skills.
This module provides an introduction to integrated circuit engineering and integrated circuits, including key methods for their design, fabrication and testing. In this regard, the module will examine the principles of very large scale integrated circuit engineering and the digital design process. Among a vast range of topics, this module will address CMOS circuit engineering, and will focus on MOSFET short channel effects, switch model, digital design metrics and the design of logic elements.
Additionally, students will become familiar with arithmetic building blocks, memory elements classification, array structure and timing issues.
Students will develop the ability to analyse simple performance metrics and will derive circuits to implement simple functions, and will learn how to use an industrial tool to model, analyse and construct digital circuits.
This module introduces nuclear instrumentation applications. It offers students a review of radiation detection modalities, data analysis and interpretation, and addresses the detection and measurement of energy, count level, energy spectra and dose. Students will develop knowledge of safety issues associated with nuclear instrumentation, along with an ability to develop an awareness of the common nuclear instrumentation systems they might encounter in industry, medicine and research. Additionally, students are presented the opportunity to design an entire radiation detection system dependent on the scenario.
Over the course of the module, students will develop an understanding of the principal radiation detection modalities in use throughout the world, and will be able to set up some of these systems. The module will also reinforce students’ understanding of the statistical issues associated with the use of these instrumentation systems and the interpretation of their data. They will gain an awareness of the compromise between energy resolution and detection efficiency, as well as considering the safety issues associated with the use of nuclear instrumentation. In addition, students will gain the necessary knowledge to design basic shielding by using both mathematical methods as well as simulation type methods such as Monte Carlo, and will learn how radiation relates to actual dose received.
Introducing the effect of radiation on human tissue, this module addresses external beam radiotherapy, with a focus on history, methods, devices and techniques. The module will also cover internal radiotherapeutic methods and will look at sources and techniques, in addition to radiology and related imaging methods. Students will discover the concept of radiobiological effects, and to review three main aspects of nuclear medicine: external beam radiotherapy, internal radiotherapy and radiology.
Students will develop an understanding of the difference between ‘radiotherapy’ and ‘radiology’, and will learn to identify an appropriate method for the treatment of a given medical condition, i.e. the association of proton therapy viz. cancer of the cornea, iodine treatment for the thyroid cancer. Additionally, the module will enhance students’ ability to explain the principal parts of key nuclear medical systems such as LINACs, source deployment facilities, PET scanners among others.
Students will also learn to identify specific isotopes and explain how their properties relate to their common uses such as Tc99m for use in PET, etc.
Fees and funding
Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
Study abroad courses
In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. VISA or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.
Placement and industry year courses
In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
Home fees are subject to annual review, and may be liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy. International fees (including EU) are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:
Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard tuition fee
Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard tuition fee
International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will be charged the same percentages as the standard International fee.
Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.
Scholarships and bursaries
You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
A generous donation from the family of Tom Millen will enable an outstanding Engineering student from a disadvantaged background to benefit from an annual bursary of £3,000.
This award is in memory of Tom Millen, who served as Superintendent of Laboratories and Workshops in the School of Engineering at Lancaster University. He began working for the School in 1969 and retired in 1977.
Each year, a £3,000 bursary will be offered to support one Engineering student from a disadvantaged background who has performed at a high academic level at the start of their studies at Lancaster. It will be awarded to the first-year student during their second year who meets the following criteria:
The recipient must be a home fee-paying student.
The recipient must be from a disadvantaged background.
The recipient must pass all modules in the academic year on the first attempt and achieve the highest overall aggregate score from all modules (with a minimum of 17.5).
The bursary will be given in three £1,000 instalments over the course of the academic year. You do not need to apply for the scholarship - the selection process is internal.
A place for Joe
The School of Engineering has great connections with the UK nuclear industry and the lecturers have really gone the extra mile to help me find placements. The relatively small engineering cohort means the staff have a lot more time to give you outside of lectures.
The course is diverse and interesting. You still get to study all of the regular engineering topics, but it’s combined with physics, chemistry and an understanding of the social and economic forces driving the nuclear industry. Some of the best parts of studying Nuclear Engineering have to be the off-site visits (such as touring a local nuclear reactor in Heysham) as these bring the course to life.
I think Nuclear Engineering is a great course to study, as it doesn’t limit you to working in nuclear power. Actually, every employer I’ve spoken to has been enthusiastic and positive about my degree choice.
Joe Spires, MEng Hons Nuclear Engineering
Our Facilities
Main Lab
Our Main Engineering Lab is a large and spacious, double-floored room home to the Engineering Strongfloor, Robotics area, and Wind Tunnel. Here is where you'll get the opportunity to load test materials and constructions, and work on projects involving robotics or renewable energy.
Electronics Lab
Our Electronics Lab is equipped with equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, and power supplies to allow you to undertake prototyping and practical work in electronics.
Additive Manufacturing Lab
Our Additive Manufacturing Lab comes equipped with a number of 3D printers and laser-based additive machines to fabricate items that wouldn't be possible using more traditional subtractive methods.
Chemical Engineering Lab
The Chemical Engineering Teaching Lab is where you'll in small groups to rotate around an assortment of experimental apparatus to engage and learn about industrial processes along with the associated health and safety, COSHH assessment, and substance controls.
Teaching Lab
Our Teaching Lab houses a variety of engineering apparatus that you'll get to use throughout your degree, from 3D printers and robotics arms, to CNC machines.
Mechanical Engineering Lab
In the Mechanical Engineering Lab, you'll be able to join your peers working on the Formula Student project. Formula Student is an international racing competition for a single-seater racing car covering a number of static judging (design, marketing and cost) and different dynamic (acceleration, sprint, endurance) events.
Breakout Space
Within the School of Engineering, we have a dedicated Breakout Space for you to get together with other students and collaborate on work, or otherwise socialise in your downtime between lectures, workshops, and labs.
Computer Lab
The School's Computing Lab comes fully equipped with all of the software you'll need in order to create virtual prototypes of your projects, or work on electronic or embedded systems.
Engineering Projects Lab
Engineering Projects make up a significant proportion of most of our Engineering degrees and involve a great deal of collaboration with your peers. This space is dedicated for you to work on these projects, allowing you the room to create and test prototypes.
Keep your options open
If you're unsure of which area of specialisation you'd like to go into upon application, you can use the UCA code H100 Engineering to leave your options open. The common first year lets you change your specialisation allowing a more informed choice at the end of year one, subject to meeting the requirements of that course.
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
Undergraduate open days 2024
Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.
Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.
