More than being a power generation source, nuclear technology is also used in medicine, agriculture and industry. Keen to built up your expertise? Explore all the facets of nuclear technology as an ideal stepping stone for a successful international career!

What do you learn on the master's programme? 

This master's programme lets you explore all facets of nuclear technology and its applications, creating nuclear engineering experts in the broader sense. The programme includes important areas of material science, with a particular interest in the fuel cycle, as well as radiation protection and nuclear measurements. All subjects are taught by academics appointed by the partner universities. Exercises and hands-on sessions take place in the specialised laboratories and research reactors of SCK CEN and are supervised by members of the research staff. Moreover, the programme works closely with representatives of utility companies and power plants and you'll have ample opportunities to visit research and industrial nuclear facilities. Last but not least, your master's thesis offers the chance for an internship in industry or a research lab. In other words: you're sure to develop your nuclear skills and attitudes in environments at the forefront of international nuclear research.

How does it work?

The programme (60 ECTS) can be completed on a full-time (one-year) or part-time (multiple years) basis. The programme consists of a compulsory portion of general courses, complemented with elective courses that are used to either broaden or deepen a topic. Courses are organised in a modular way with teaching blocks of one to three weeks per module. This modular approach makes it easy for you to manage your time. Moreover, it allows you to register for individual modules and international students can enter the programme more flexibly. Your master's thesis is an essential part of the programme. The thesis topic is usually linked to either the research done in the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre or at the partner universities or to operational problems in industry.

The strenghts of our Nuclear Engineering master's programme:

• An initiative of the Belgian Nuclear higher Education Network (BNEN): Six Belgian universities and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), a world leader in nuclear research, have joined forces in the Belgian Nuclear higher Education Network to create the Master in Nuclear Engineering programme. Supported by - and fostering networking between - academia, research centres, industry and other nuclear stakeholders, this master is compatible with the industry and well grounded in the field. Your win? A sure ticket to an exciting job in the world of nuclear technology.

• International programme: BNEN has served as a role model for the European Nuclear Education Network, an association of roughly 70 members - universities, industry, regulators and research centres - that aims to facilitate mobility for students in nuclear engineering. If you take at least 20 ECTS of courses at another European university, you obtain the degree of 'European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering'.

• Multidisciplinary and hands on: The Advanced Master in Nuclear Engineering instructs students in all aspects of nuclear technology and its applications, creating nuclear engineering experts in the broadest sense. The programme includes important areas of material science, with a particular interest in the fuel cycle, as well as radiation protection and nuclear measurements. All subjects are taught by academics appointed by the partner universities. Exercises and hands-on sessions take place in the specialised laboratories and research reactors of SCK CEN and are supervised by members of the research staff. Moreover, the programme works closely with representatives of the utility companies and power plants and you'll have ample opportunities to visit research and industrial nuclear facilities. Last but not least, your master's thesis offers the chance for an internship in industry or a research lab. In other words: you're sure to develop your nuclear skills and attitudes in environments at the forefront of international nuclear research

After graduation:

This master's programme is aimed at educating young engineers in nuclear engineering, its applications and its safe use, and to develop and maintain high-level nuclear competences in Belgium and abroad. Interested in researching and developing the processes used to derive benefits from nuclear energy, test applications to increase its efficiency or safety or design nuclear equipment? Want to ensure effective operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants or take the lead in decomissioning nuclear facilities? Or maybe you'd rather be involved in medical radio isotope production or develop other innovative medical, industrial or energy-related applications? Whatever your ambitions, this master's programme lets you explore all facets of nuclear technology - as an ideal stepping stone for a successful career.