This module introduces the fundamentals of engineering materials, focusing on their structure, properties, and real-world applications. It covers atomic bonding, crystalline structures, defects, deformation mechanisms, and phase transformations, as well as failure analysis under complex loading conditions such as fatigue, creep, and environmental degradation. Students will also explore material characterization techniques, mechanical analysis, and material selection, with an emphasis on sustainability and lifecycle considerations. By studying this module, students will gain critical knowledge and skills to analyse material behaviour, predict failures, and select appropriate materials for engineering design. They will learn to interpret testing data, apply fracture mechanics concepts, and evaluate environmental impacts, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals. A key feature of this module is its blend of theoretical foundations and practical applications, preparing students for challenges in manufacturing and advanced material technologies.

Understanding how fluids move and how mass is transported is essential in engineering as these principles are applied across various industries, from energy production and manufacturing design to chemical and nuclear plants. In this module, you will explore the nature of fluids and their fundamental properties. You will develop a solid understanding of how fluids behave at rest (fluid mechanics) and in motion (fluid dynamics), and you will test your understanding in the lab. You will also gain insight into mass transfer principles, including molecular diffusion, convective mass transfer, and interfacial transport. These concepts are crucial for designing efficient separation processes, optimising chemical reactions, and developing sustainable engineering solutions.

In this module, you will explore the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and the ultimate disposal of radioactive material. You will cover subjects and areas including a general introduction to the nuclear decommissioning market and related organisations, facility characterisation and final survey, the planning and costing of decommissioning projects, radiation issues, relevant aspects of health and safety, shielding, the use of Monte Carlo code in decommissioning, worker and environmental protection, demolition techniques and technologies, the use of robotics and automation in decommissioning, waste decontamination, packaging, transport and disposal, illustrative case studies of international nuclear decommissioning projects, regulation, land remediation, wasteforms, neutronics, managing criticality, inventory codes, and the ethical, economic, societal, environmental and safety implications of long-term nuclear waste storage. Further to a lecture series and periodic tutorials, you will participate in laboratory sessions dedicated to Monte Carlo codes, Inventory codes and radiological measurement using instrumentation.

This module begins with an exploration of nuclear engineering, tracing its history through key figures like Roentgen, the Curies, Otto Hahn, and Heisenberg. You'll examine pivotal events such as the Manhattan Project, enrichment challenges, and major accidents. Fundamentals of radioactivity, neutron properties, reaction modes, and reactor designs—including Captain Rickover, Pile 1 & 2, and Magnox—will also be covered, along with shielding physics. The second section delves into nuclear chemistry, focusing on electronic structure, bonding, and oxidation-reduction processes. You’ll study uranium’s chemistry, including its oxides and fluorides. By the end, you’ll grasp core nuclear engineering concepts, from fission and criticality to reactor comparisons. You’ll also explore how uranium is mined, processed, and refined, linking its chemical properties to nuclear applications. This module equips you with the knowledge to discuss historical influences, key principles, and the broader role of nuclear science.

In this module, you will explore the fundamental concepts of electrical machines, power electronic converters and power systems. You will dive into detailed studies on a range of DC and AC machines. This includes the operating principles and control methods of brushed DC motors, brushless DC motors and induction motors. It also covers power generation with synchronous generators and induction generators. Additionally, you will explore power electronic converters, focusing on their application in solar and wind energy systems, electric vehicles and industrial actuators. You will also learn about how electrical power systems work from generation to distribution, including traditional and smart grids. Hands-on laboratory sessions and practical projects will give you valuable experience working with real-world equipment and simulations. By the end of the module, you will have a solid foundation in power engineering and develop skills to tackle real-world engineering challenges in the rapidly evolving power industry.

The module provides an integrated understanding of energy exchange mechanisms in engineering systems, focusing on heat and work transfer across different states and phases of matter. The module emphasises analysing gas and steam systems, refrigeration cycles, heat pump technologies, and reciprocating engines, enabling a competitive edge in shaping the future of sustainable energy solutions. You will understand how to measure and calculate thermodynamic properties for ideal and real fluids, analyse gas and steam systems, evaluate refrigeration and heat pump cycles and master the methods for heat transfer analysis, optimisation of energy processes and systems in consideration of heat transfer, energy conservation and energy availability. You will gain essential problem-solving skills and fundamental knowledge for industrial energy systems analysis and energy-efficient systems design, which is crucial for career development in mechanical, aerospace, and energy engineering.

Study at one of our approved international partner universities in your year abroad. This will help you to develop your global outlook, expand your professional network, and gain cultural and personal skills. It is also an opportunity to gain a different perspective on your major subject through studying the subject in another country.

You will choose specialist modules relating to your degree and also have the opportunity to study modules from other subjects offered by the host university.

Places at overseas partners vary each year and have previously included universities in Australia, USA, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Asia.

In this module, you will gain essential skills in engineering management, covering key areas such as scheduling, project risk management, quality management, and cost and resource management. You will also explore entrepreneurial topics, including business model generation, market segmentation, and effective communication of business proposals. At the heart of the module is a group business proposal, where you will apply management theory from lectures and entrepreneurial workshops. Through presentations, pitches, and valuable insights from industry experts, you will develop your business ideas with creativity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial mindset—focusing on idea generation, start-ups, and venture planning. With a strong emphasis on ethical engineering and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), this module will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to take on management roles and drive positive change in your future career.

In this individual project, you will deepen your understanding of a specific engineering topic of your choice. You will conduct a detailed review of the topic, which will serve as a foundation for enhancing the technical content of your project. Depending on the nature of your work, you may need to perform computer simulations, mathematical analyses, and/or practical experiments. You will be assigned a project supervisor who is an expert in your chosen field and will provide guidance on both the technical aspects and project management. Additionally, you will receive support from academic staff, postgraduate students, and technical personnel. The project comprises 300 learning hours, with weekly meetings with your supervisor for guidance. Assessment will be based on a final report, followed by a viva examination.

In this module, you will explore advanced concepts and practical applications of reaction engineering to clean chemical synthesis, environmental protection and manufacture of commodity chemicals. Through the study of established industrially relevant processes, you will develop a comprehensive understanding and practical competence in chemical and biochemical reactors of heterogeneous systems, enabling you to design and analyse effective processes. Beginning with the kinetics concept in homogeneous chemical and biochemical systems and progressing throughout the heterogeneous systems to the transport phenomena of heat, mass and flow, you will gain hands-on experience in designing, implementing and analysing their realistic behaviour. This module will equip you with the computational tools to generate the mathematical models supported by commercial tools like MATLAB, Microsoft Excel and computational fluid dynamics. Throughout the module, you will develop essential skills that prepare you for the challenges of modern reaction engineering where fundamental concepts and numerical methods are increasingly intertwined.

In this module you will study a range of nuclear instrumentation applications. This includes radiation detection modalities; data analysis and interpretation; the detection and measurement of energy, count level, energy spectra and dose; safety issues associated with nuclear instrumentation. Furthermore, you are given the ability to design an entire radiation detection system dependent on the scenario and are introduced to the mathematical analysis required to convert the output you might encounter from set-up to real life radiological data.

This module introduces power electronic switching devices and their role in single-phase and three-phase converters and inverters. You'll learn to analyse power electronic circuits, calculate switching losses, and design snubbers and electricity grid stabilisers. You will also learn to design medium- and high-frequency transformers for isolated power converters. You'll also develop control systems and gate drivers for power electronic devices. Beyond theory, you'll explore real-world applications, including using converters and inverters to control motors and generators in industrial settings. You'll also see how these technologies drive green energy solutions, such as wind turbines and solar power systems. By the end, you'll have the skills to design efficient, high-performance power electronics for modern energy and industrial applications.