Nuclear Engineering
Learn how you can drive meaningful progress in the energy systems that power our world.
Nuclear engineering is leading the development of next-generation energy systems that make a meaningful difference. From powering industries to advancing climate change solutions and space exploration, learn how studying nuclear engineering at UNSW could set you up for a career where you can drive positive impact.
What is Nuclear Engineering?
Nuclear engineering examines and leverages the nuclear concepts which form the foundation of our universe. These concepts can be applied to a range of industries today and are helping create the technologies of the future. Specifically, nuclear science and technologies consider how we can design, develop and maintain systems that will harness nuclear processes to advance clean energy, nuclear medicine and the aerospace industry.
Why study Nuclear Engineering?
There’s a growing need for highly-skilled engineers to maintain and operate nuclear facilities around the world. Nuclear energy is one of the cutting-edge fields you can work in, where potential new uses are constantly emerging in the energy sector and beyond.
If you’re a forward thinker or a trailblazer this is the area for you. UNSW engages with international forums that tackle the big questions surrounding nuclear technology in Australia and the world.
Progress in nuclear energy needs engineers
Learn how UNSW is engineering materials to create fusion energy
Thermonuclear fusion is a process where atomic nuclei are massively heated up and then fused together under substantial force, releasing a large amount of energy. It’s the same process that powers the sun and has the potential to provide clean and abundant energy on Earth if successfully harnessed.
The first ever tokamak nuclear fusion device to be wholly designed, built and operated by students is being planned for UNSW Sydney.
What are the career opportunities in nuclear engineering?
Career prospects for nuclear engineering graduates are robust. There is a global skills shortage in qualified nuclear engineers and nuclear graduates are highly employable. In addition to the increasing number of new generation nuclear energy plants, existing reactors require maintenance, servicing, operations and eventual decommissioning.
Additionally, Australia's domestic nuclear workforce must grow to 10,000–30,000 jobs to meet AUKUS deal requirements, aligning with government initiatives to expand domestic nuclear capabilities.
As a UNSW nuclear engineering graduate, you’ll be ready to seek global employment opportunities in the energy sector, as well as a variety of nuclear careers in Australia. Career opportunities in nuclear engineering include:
- Nuclear medicine: Nuclear imaging supports the diagnosis and treatment of disease and other medical conditions.
- Nuclear science research: Analyse the wide-reaching implications of nuclear energy across medicine and health, the environment, energy sources and materials science.
- Advanced manufacturing: Manage the powering of advanced manufacturing techniques across industry sectors.
- Aerospace: Develop new solutions to support the aerospace industry, from powering space exploration to advancing safety materials.
- Defence: Engineer solutions to support Defence technologies that shape the way our world works.
- Consultancy: Use your nuclear skill set to help solve challenging problems across the industry.
Why choose UNSW for nuclear engineering?
UNSW offers the first Nuclear Engineering program in Australia, with a specialised Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Nuclear Engineering. Studying nuclear engineering at UNSW opens doors to a world of unparalleled opportunities and innovation. We're ranked #1 in Australia and #25 globally for Engineering and Technology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).
UNSW's Faculty of Engineering is the largest of its kind in Australia. You'll get to learn from top nuclear scientists who are making an active impact in their field and be well-connected to industry and research organisations for industry placements, career development, and research projects.
UNSW Engineering also houses the UNSW Nuclear Innovation Centre, a cross-disciplinary, cross-industry hub for advancing Australia's nuclear science industry, which includes interests in medicine, irradiated materials, waste management, space exploration and mining.
How can I study Nuclear Engineering at UNSW?
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You can develop a specialised nuclear engineering skillset by studying UNSW's Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Nuclear Engineering). As part of this standalone degree, you’ll gain high-value skills – exploring the fundamental principles of physics, mathematics and artificial intelligence to collaboratively solve complex problems.
Nuclear and mechanical engineering are often a common combination – a mechanical engineering background provides a strong foundation for careers in the nuclear energy industry. You can also study a minor in nuclear engineering within the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering): develop commercially-viable products and the machines that create them
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical Engineering): Gain the skills to design and manage the construction, operation and maintenance of machines used in a wide range of industries
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Robotics and Mechatronics): Combine mechanical engineering, control engineering and software development, specifically for controlling sophisticated smart machines and robotics
Nuclear engineering can also be studied as part of the following undergraduate degrees, which all offer a nuclear engineering minor:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Aerospace): learn about the analysis, design and operation of aircraft and spacecraft
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering): learn to design, create and optimise the systems and equipment used in chemical, industrial, biological and environmental processes
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Product Engineering): develop the skills to innovate, develop and design new chemical and consumer products for a sustainable future
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering): engineer the design, construction and management of modern infrastructure
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Environmental Engineering): identify environmental problems and develop effective solutions for the natural world
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical Engineering): learn about the design, development, manufacturing and management of complex electrical systems
For more information, or general enquiries, contact Dr. Jennifer Stansby via j.stansby@unsw.edu.au.
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Our specialised degree, the Master of Engineering Science (Nuclear Engineering) will provide you with strong skills and knowledge to enter the nuclear industry.
Professional development courses
UNSW offers companies and organisations bespoke in-person and virtual professional development courses in nuclear science and technology, tailored to your areas of interest. For more information, contact Associate Professor, Edward Obbard.
- Phone: +61 (0)2 938-5 7625
- Email: e.obbard@unsw.edu.au
What scholarships are available for nuclear engineering?
UNSW offers a range of scholarships to support nuclear engineering students in their studies. These include:
- Sir William Tyree Foundation scholarships
- Tyree Foundation Travel Awards
- ANTSO Future Now scholarship
- CSIRO: Early to mid-career fellowship program
- Micahel Cavenor – Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Award
For more information about our scholarships including the contents of each award and how to apply, visit our scholarships website.
Interested in learning more about nuclear engineering?
By studying nuclear engineering at UNSW, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to create meaningful progress with this robust energy source. If you have questions about nuclear engineering and how to apply, please reach out to our friendly Future Student Advisers. We’re here to help.
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