Key information
Duration
- Full-time: 36 months (3–4 years)
- Part-time: 72 months (6–8 years)
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting October 2026
- Application deadline not specified.
Language
English
TOEFL iBT: 87
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Nuclear Engineering
Overview
About the programme
Nuclear power provided more than one quarter of the world's low carbon power in 2020. Nuclear energy is supported for expansion by British government policy despite the fact that it remains a contentious choice.
There are numerous technical and policy issues facing nuclear energy, including the building of new power stations, extending the life of the current fleet and addressing issues relating to wastes and safety.
The Open University UK Nuclear Energy research is involved in all such questions as well as considering advanced future concepts – such as nuclear fusion, ‘generation IV’ fission reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs).
Programme Structure
The OU has a strong track record in attracting external funding for Nuclear Energy related research from both public and private sources. Recent examples of publicly funded activity include:
- Enhanced Methodologies for Advanced Nuclear System Safety (eMEANSS)
- Cobalt-free Hard-facing for Reactor Systems
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
TOEFL iBT: 87
General requirements
Entry requirements
- Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
International
Non-residents: 23,987 AUD / year (≈ 12,705 GBP / year)
Domestic
Citizens or residents: 9,451 AUD / year (≈ 5,006 GBP / year)
Living costs
Milton Keynes
United Kingdom
1,601-2,539 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Scholarships
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Nuclear Energy.
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Grant: Various benefits — Deadline: 07 Oct 2026 (Independent provider; U.S. government)
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Grant: Various benefits — Deadline: Not specified (Merit-based; OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
- ServiceScape Scholarship — Grant: 1000 USD — Deadline: 30 Nov 2026 (Independent provider; ServiceScape)
- ACES Scholarships — Grant: 3500 USD — Deadline: 15 Nov 2026 (Independent provider; ACES Education Fund)
- Scholarships for PhD Students — Grant: 19000 GBP — Deadline: Not specified (Merit-based; Junhua Li)
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship — Grant: Various benefits — Deadline: 28 Feb 2027 (Merit-based; Boustany Foundation)
- Amberscholar Scholarship — Grant: 6000 USD — Deadline: 31 Jan 2027 (Merit-based; Amber Scholar)
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Grant: 1000 USD — Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 (Merit-based; IvyPanda)
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Grant: 1000 USD — Deadline: 01 Mar 2027 (Independent provider; Voice Talent Online)
- Dream Chaser Scholarship — Grant: 1000 USD — Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 (Merit-based; Salvado Law)
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids — Grant: 22500 GBP — Deadline: Not specified (Independent provider; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO))
- Scholarship for students with disabilities — Grant: 3000 USD — Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 (Need-based; Anonymous Hope Fund)
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Grant: 1500 USD — Deadline: Not specified (Independent provider; IELTS from 6 to 9)
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Grant: 12000 USD — Deadline: 11 Jan 2027 (Independent provider; The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme)