Master of Nuclear Engineering
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
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The Master of Nuclear Engineering is a one-year programme organised by 6 Belgian universities in collaboration with SCK CEN. It is a modular programme that facilitates individual participation in selected courses or foreign students' participation in blocs of courses.
Probably the most familiar nuclear engineering application is the production of electricity using nuclear power. Over 30% of electricity in the EU and roughly 55% in Belgium is provided by nuclear power. Moreover, at a small absolute but high relative scale, Belgium developed on its territory almost all kinds of nuclear activities: power plants, fuel production, radioelement production, engineering companies, accelerator design and fabrication, waste management, safety management, nuclear medicine, research and higher education.
BNEN, the Belgian Nuclear Higher Education Network consisting of KU Leuven, Universiteit Gent, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Université de Liège, Université Catholique de Louvain and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, organises a one-year (60 credits) advanced master programme in nuclear engineering.
The primary objective of the BNEN programme is to educate young engineers in nuclear engineering and its applications and to develop and maintain high-level nuclear competencies in Belgium and abroad. BNEN catalyses networking between academia, research centres, industry and other nuclear stakeholders. All teaching activities take place at SCK CEN. Courses are organised in English and in a modular way; teaching in blocks of one to three weeks for each module allows optimal time management for students and lecturers, facilitates registration for individual modules, and allows easy access for international students.
The Belgian Master of Nuclear Engineering program is embedded in the European ENEN association, a non-profit international organisation of universities and research centres for the preservation and further development of higher nuclear education and expertise.
Curriculum
The program consists of 60 ECTS and can be completed on a full-time (one-year) or part-time (two-year) basis. Courses are organised in a modular way with teaching blocks of one to three weeks for each module. This allows optimal time management for students and lecturers, facilitates registration for individual modules, and provides easy access for international students. The master's thesis is an essential part of the program. The chosen subject can be in a wide range of nuclear engineering-related topics, that are directly linked to the SCK CEN’s R&D program, research of the professors at the partner universities, or operational problems in the industry.
Compulsory Courses
- Nuclear Energy: Introduction
- Introduction to nuclear physics and measurements
- Radiation protection
- Nuclear reactor theory and experiments
- Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics
- Safety of Nuclear Power Plants
- Nuclear Fuel Cycle
- Nuclear Materials
Ideal Students
Student Profile
Students entering the BNEN program are expected to have a solid background in engineering, mathematics and physics. They should possess a problem-solving attitude and a genuine spirit for safety.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 60 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master
- Specifications: Master of Science
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly-ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their research. In our FabLab, students can use several high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programs as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student center is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Program Leaders
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of the Master's program in Nuclear Engineering, students will have acquired:
- A thorough understanding of nuclear physical processes;
- A comprehensive knowledge of the procedures and techniques necessary to control nuclear processes;
- An in-depth knowledge of nuclear safety, reliability procedures and nuclear waste treatment;
- The competence to design and maintain structures to control nuclear processes;
- Communicative skills in the field of nuclear technology and the capability to participate in research concerning the above mentioned topics.
Graduates possess the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out duties at a high level of responsibility in nuclear power plants, nuclear research reactors, nuclear regulatory organisations, nuclear engineering firms, nuclear fuel fabrication, nuclear waste treatment and radio-isotope production.
In addition, the degree itself is an important part of the legal qualifications necessary to become a safety professional in a major nuclear installation.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.