Nuclear & Environmental Physics

The Masters in Nuclear and Environmental Physics provides training in the physics and applications of nuclear energy generation (and low-carbon energy more generally), and the roles played by nuclear processes in environmental modelling and medical physics. It is an ideal qualification for a professional physicist aiming to work in these sectors. Students are provided with the theoretical, experimental and computational skills necessary to analyse and solve a variety of advanced physics problems relevant to this range of important global industries. The programme builds on a wide range of advanced Masters-level courses in the School of Physics & Astronomy: from taught courses in energy generation and environmental physics to practical skills in radiation-detection, research skills, data analysis, and an extended research project in relevant areas. Students have the flexibility to tailor their experience through a choice of additional elective lecture courses.

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Physics with at least 1 credit bearing modules in Electromagnetic Theory and Quantum Mechanics and Physics and Relativity at an average grade of Pass.

We may also accept degrees in a related subject with significant physics content at a 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent). A 2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Physics followed by substantial relevant experience may be considered on an individual basis.

Please complete the Physics & Astronomy - Personal Statement form

• Physics & Astronomy - Personal Statement Form

Prerequisite experience needed

Assumed knowledge for the core courses in this degree include:

• Basic mathematics for physics: single and multi-variable calculus (differentiation and integration), trigonometry, complex numbers, vectors, vector calculus, Taylor and Fourier series, Fourier transforms.
• Introductory scientific computing: data handling, simple statistics (computing means and variances), plotting functions and histograms, writing simple programs in a general-purpose programming language e.g. Python or C++.

You must also have an understanding of the following:

1. Familiarity with concepts from undergraduate astronomy, including:

• solar system physics, Newton's laws of gravitation, solar system planets and minor bodies, physics of planetary atmospheres
• positional and dynamical astronomy: celestial sphere, planetary orbits
• stellar physics: star types and classification, stellar atmospheres, stellar models, stellar evolution
• particles and radiation: undergraduate thermodynamics, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, blackbody radiation, emission line spectra
• observational methods: optical telescopes, detectors, instrumentation for radio-, UV- and X-ray astronomy
• cosmology: galaxies, distance scales, expanding universe, big-bang cosmology

2. Familiarity with concepts from undergraduate physics, including:

• optics: geometric optics, diffraction, resolution
• dynamics: gravity, solving simple differential equations in dynamics
• electromagnetism: Maxwell's equations, solving the Laplace equation for symmetric geometries

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

• 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

• 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

• 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

• 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

• 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

• 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

• Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

• Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

• Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  
  • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
• Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  
  • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

• direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
• essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
• flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

• Pre-sessional courses

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

• Heriot Watt
• Kingston Upon Thames
• Middlesex University
• Manchester University
• Reading University
• Edinburgh University
• ST Andrews University
• UCL
• Durham.

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

There are several career paths for environmental and nuclear physicists which tackle environmental or energy problems through the application of physical principles, for example, creating new materials or products. Job roles include working on remote sensing equipment, environmental monitoring, atmospheric models, energy conservation measures within industries that manage pollution control, or nuclear waste disposal.