A new generation of advanced nuclear technologies offer unparalleled power, speed and scalability to dramatically accelerate the transition to a low or even post-carbon energy landscape. At the same time, innovations in waste management have dramatically reduced risk and negative impact on the environment.
Experts across the globe coincide on the potential of nuclear energy in the fight against climate change. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the need for nuclear energy to achieve a rapid decarbonisation. In fact, the four most promising pathways that could limit global warming by 1.5°C by 2050 include nuclear energy!
The possibilities are clear. And enormously exciting...
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To drive innovation and accelerate safe and effective deployment, we now have an urgent need for a new generation of engineers – change leaders who have the big-picture understanding, the world-class technical skills, the entrepreneurial tools and the innovation mindset to fully leverage this opportunity. To overcome the challenges. And to play a critical role in forging a post-carbon future.
The Master’s in Nuclear Energy is your fast track to a world-class career at the cutting edge of innovation in the global energy transition.
Universities
The Master's in Nuclear Energy is an English-taught programme offered at the following universities:
In the second year, you remain in France - a nuclear powerhouse in Europe. With over 50 nuclear reactors, there is no better place to study nuclear energy in context.
You will choose to study either in Grenoble or in Paris:
When you choose to study in Grenoble, you attend Grenoble INP where you can specialise in Materials for Nuclear Energy.
When you choose to study in Paris, you follow a set of common courses taught at Université Paris-Saclay (INSTN) by Professors and experts from all Paris-based universities. Then, you continue with the specialisations available at the institution of your choice:
Université Paris-Saclay (INSTN): Nuclear Reactor Physics and Engineering
Université Paris Science et Lettres (PSL): Fuel Cycle
École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC): Decomissioning and Waste Management
Institut Polytechnique de Paris: Nuclear Plant Design
Upon completion of the two years, you will obtain a double degree consisting of a degree from your year 1 university and a degree from the year 2 university where you followed your specialisation.
You also receive a diploma from ESADE Business School and the EIT Label Certificate.
Your Master Thesis
You complete your second and final year with a Master’s thesis, which you undertake at one of our industrial or research partners. More than 75% of our students complete their thesis in cooperation wtih an industry partner.
Your thesis should have a strong focus on innovative solutions and should be and should be aligned with research or technology projects in nuclear energy. Working on your thesis gives you privileged access to some of the most prestigious companies, research centres and installations in Europe. Their experts become mentors for your research.
Your thesis corresponds to five months of full-time study and is worth 30 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System credits (ECTS).
EIT InnoEnergy continually strives to improve the quality, structure and content of our Master’s School programmes. Therefore, some changes may occur as part of our quality control process.
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Journey is a parallel track that you follow during your Master’s programme.
The Master’s in Nuclear Energy is a fully rounded learning experience that not only equips you with the technical skill set and the industry understanding to launch your career in nuclear energy – you are also empowered with leading-edge innovation and entrepreneurial tools to accelerate new solutions and drive business impact.
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Summer School
During your two-week Summer School organised between year 1 and year 2 in cooperation with ESADE Business School, you explore:
Lean start-up and design thinking techniques
How to identify entrepreneurial opportunities
Managing business under uncertainty
Different business models and their applications
Intercultural leadership and team management
During the Summer School, you will gather new understanding and innovation techniques for your Business Case Challenge, and designing your own dream tech nuclear solution to tackle challenges like climate change, space, safety or hybrid nuclear-renewable energy systems.
Integrated Industry Exposure and Networking
You have the chance to visit a number of real-world nuclear facilities to experience innovation in action.
Field visits and internship placements on offer include:
Industrial site visits in Spain
Students following their first year of studies at Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya UPC take part in industrial site visits including ENSA factory (large equipment) in Santander, a decommissioning Nuclear Power plant and the full-scope simulator of Tecnatom in Vandellòs. Students are also invited to participate in the Seminar on Operating Experiences organised by the Spanish Nuclear Society.
Industrial site visits in Paris, France
Field visits to nuclear sites across France during your time in Paris are determined by your choice of elective courses. Fieldtrip destinations include: Flamanvile, Tricastin, Marcoule, Melox, and La Hague. These visits incorporate every aspect of the industry, from fuel and energy production, waste recycling, and command centre simulations. Learn about day-to-day operations in a nuclear plant with EDF simulators and the CEA’s IRIS reactor.
Elective at Grenoble, France
Second-year students at Grenoble INP can opt for an elective focussing on nuclear materials, from nuclear fuel to nuclear components. Two unique course areas are available in this elective: a three-week course at CEA Cadarache, including visits to laboratories and ITER; and the EDF Material Aging Institute, looking at Pressurized Water Reactor components.
Nuclear societal challenge
During the Year 1, students will be immersed into Nuclear Societal Challenge to deeper understand the context of nuclear energy.
Faced with various project-based challenges, you will analyse the impact of decisions surrounding nuclear energy. From what would be the societal impact of shutting down a nuclear facility in terms of jobs, economy and alternative energy supply to opening or supporting other countrie's nuclear inititatives. You will learn to analyse not only immediate and future impacts but also responsibilities that will come with such decisions.
Dream Tech Project: Molten Salt Reactor design and applications
In your Year 2, you will work in multidisciplinary teams (involving different year 2 Master's tracks) on a project related to a Molten Salt Reactor design. You will strive to find answers, come up with ideas and figure out solutions towards technologies ahead of its time.
Data Science for Energy Engineers
Students of the Master's in Nuclear Energy are offered access to complementary training in data science organised by EIT InnoEnergy.
You can learn about data science skills to analyse, forecast and optimise energy demand using Python. This training ensures you are prepared to land jobs in a high-demand sector within the energy industry. It includes modules such as:
Introduction to data science
Exploratory analysis
Forecasting with machine learning
Optimisation cases and more...
Battle of Green Talent
The Battle of Green Talent is an online entrepreneurship competition designed for all EIT InnoEnergy students.
You get immersed in an online entrepreneurial ecosystem. During 6 monhts, you transform your bright ideas into promising business while competing with peers, interacting with virtual investors from top business schools around the world and get advice from experienced business creation professionals.
The best team of entrepreneurs and talents wins a package with a cash prize of €10,000.- and a voucher worth €5,000.- to benefit from start-up incubation services from EIT InnoEnergy.
Career support, industrial challenges & CommUnity
Next to the activities organised as part of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Journey of the programme, you will also have access to:
Career Centre: a dedicated team of career experts at EIT InnoEnergy that support your ambitions through our Career Impact Programme and Career Impact Challenges; coaching, mentoring and industry exposure opportunities exclusive to our students.
Industry challenges: we work with leading companies in the energy sector such as EDPR, AEInnova, Seaborg Technologies and more so that students can put their skills to practice during their studies.
CommUnity: a unique platform of EIT InnoEnergy students and alumni where you can connect, interact, join events and even take advantage of an exclusive job board.
Internships
All students are encouraged to apply for six- to eight-month internships at one of the programme’s industrial partners.
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Career opportunities
Graduates of this programme work mainly as consultants, data scientists, fluid systems engineers, nuclear engineers, PhDers and research engineers. Some of the most common employers include:
Admission requirements
Would you like to increase your chances of being admitted? Check out the programme specific requirements for the Master's in Nuclear Energy below.
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General requirements
Before applying, make sure you can meet all the general admissions criteria:
A completed Bachelor’s degree (worth a minimum of 180 ECTS credits)
If you are in your final year of undergraduate education, you can also apply and receive a conditional offer.
You can also read more about our application process here.
Programme specific requirements
A completed Bachelor’s degree worth 180 ECTS credits or equivalent in one of the following subjects: physics, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, energy engineering.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in another subject, but which covers the fundamentals of mathematics, physics and mechanics, will be considered by the EMINE programme directors on a case-by-case basis.
You will also need to submit a separate letter giving your reasons for application.
Or book a 1-1 meeting with our Study Advisors to get support with your application.
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Want to find out more about life as a student at the EIT InnoEnergy Master School?
Get in touch with our current students!
EIT Label
The EIT Label is a quality seal awarded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) to a KIC educational programme that has been assessed positively by the EIT on the implementation of the EIT Quality Assurance and Learning Enhancement (EIT QALE) system and the application of specific quality criteria with focus on the EIT Overarching Learning Outcomes (EIT OLOs), robust entrepreneurship education, highly integrated, innovative ‘learning-by-doing’ curricula, international mobility and outreach. For more information please checkhere.