There is a substantial continuing need for specialist engineers to service the nuclear industry. A DTI report estimates that the UK Nuclear Industry will need an influx of several thousand specialist engineers over the next 15 years. Against this background, The University of Manchester is offering a postgraduate programme in Nuclear Science & Technology to help supply the industry with expertise level to help fill the predicted skills gap.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the country continues to sustain its existing nuclear power stations, and deal with historic liabilities through the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Internationally, the Generation IV Forum (GIF) has been established with the objective to identify and pursue research and development needed to develop reactors which could be commissioned from 2030 (or earlier) and which could provide: competitively priced electricity; improved proliferation resistance; exceptional safety performance; and waste minimisation advancing on current technology. The GIF collaboration includes the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Korea, Japan, South Africa, Switzerland, and UK.

Nuclear Decommissioning Engineering is a major research theme in MACE and is well supported by EPSRC and the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency. The UK has a number of nuclear facilities, fuel reprocessing plants, reactors and research facilities that are now no longer required. A number of 'end of life' options have been considered and a total systems approach to determine the optimum decommissioning strategy for the diverse range of legacy nuclear plants is being undertaken.

For details of the full portfolio of Postgraduate courses both taught and research at The School of MACE, University of Manchester please visit www.manchester.ac.uk/mace