Getting a graduate job in nuclear energy

With the government committed to nuclear power as part of the UK's energy mix, nuclear jobs are available in engineering, science or project management

What is nuclear energy?

Nuclear energy is found in the nucleus or core of an atom. It is often referred to as a clean energy technology because it does not release greenhouse gases or air pollution.

According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear power provides around 15% of the UK's electricity, placing it at the forefront of technological and scientific development in the energy sector.

Indeed, plans to build a wave of new nuclear power stations mean high demand for talented graduates.

Nuclear power in the UK

Trade association Energy UK revealed how 15 reactors produced the UK's electricity in 2023.

While there are plans to increase this to around 25% by 2050, many existing nuclear power stations are ageing and are due to close by 2035.

The government's strategy is to replace these - and the country's remaining coal-fired power stations - with new nuclear plants.

The £46billion plant being constructed at Hinkley Point in Somerset is expected to be ready for use between 2029 and 2031. Once operational, it will generate low-carbon electricity that meets 7% of total demand, providing power for more than six million homes. This will be the UK's first new nuclear power station since the 1990s.

Energy firm EDF Energy has confirmed that several new plants will follow in the coming years - Sizewell C in Suffolk, which will support 70,000 new jobs, and Bradwell B in Essex, which is still in its public consultation stage.

This requirement to operate current nuclear power stations, decommission old ones, and build new facilities means there's a significant demand for professionals with specialist knowledge of the industry's technology, regulation, and safety procedures, such as:

• engineers
• researchers
• scientists.

For example, Sellafield Ltd needs graduate nuclear engineers to transform its nuclear site into a safe and environmentally sound space.

Explore nuclear power careers and discover more about the sector by visiting the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) - What is nuclear energy?

Nuclear energy skills shortages

Statistics from the NIA's 2024 Job Map show that 86,908 people were employed in the UK's nuclear industry in 2024 - an increase of 12% (over 9,000 people) compared to the previous year.

However, the UK workforce is ageing, with around 10% aged 60 or over. Thousands of additional workers will be required to quadruple capacity and deliver the government's target of producing 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050. This shows there's a skills gap that needs closing.

The Nuclear Skills Delivery Group's (NSDG) Nuclear Workforce Assessment 2023 forecasted that 2,350 new workers may be needed annually until 2030 to meet the demand. So, now's a great time to consider working in this exciting engineering field.

The report predicted that there would continue to be a need for the following roles:

• chemists
• commissioning engineers
• electrical engineers
• emergency planners
• project planners and controllers
• reactor operators.

It was also highlighted that just over a fifth (21.4%) of the nuclear workforce is female, with women underrepresented in many STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) positions. To meet the Nuclear Sector Deal target of a 40% female workforce by 2030, recruitment of at least 50% women is required over the next few years.

Read more about opportunities for women in engineering.

Nuclear graduate schemes

One way the industry is attempting to reduce the skills shortage is through the Nuclear Graduates scheme. This two-year graduate programme has been created by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and funded by industry employers acting as sponsors.

Graduates join employers in a range of technical and commercial disciplines, including:

• chemistry
• civil engineering
• cyber security
• digital
• nuclear engineering
• nuclear liabilities.

The starting salary is £30,000 per year, plus:

• £5,500 - individual travel budget
• £3,500 - flexible individual training budget
• £9,900 - core training and development.

To gain a place on the Nuclear Graduates programme, you must:

• apply online
• complete online tests and a video interview
• attend a two-day assessment centre.

Visit the website to find out when the next round of applications opens.

You can also find a list of graduate schemes with individual employers at the National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN).

Explore general science and engineering graduate programmes.

Graduate nuclear jobs

If you want to enter this industry, you can apply for roles on individual employer websites or visit a specialist industry recruitment company such as nuclearsectorjobs.co.uk.

This gives a good indication of the range of jobs available, as it divides vacancies into six disciplines:

• commercial
• engineering
• environmental/waste management
• project control/management
• safety
• scientific.

It shows openings in the nuclear industry for graduates from different backgrounds and career ambitions.

Leading nuclear energy recruiters include:

• AWE
• Babcock
• Cavendish Nuclear
• EDF Energy
• GE Vernova
• Rolls-Royce SMR
• Westinghouse Nuclear

Nuclear energy apprenticeships

You'll need to ensure you have the right qualifications to enter many careers in the nuclear industry. A degree in engineering, science, or IT will likely be the key requirement for engineering, scientific or IT roles.

However, if you want to take a further or higher education course or apprenticeship that will prepare you specifically for a career in the nuclear industry, start with the National College for Nuclear (NCfN).

With bases in Somerset and Cumbria, this national college delivers high-tech training in key sectors. It was formed through a partnership of:

• employers
• regulators
• skills bodies
• training providers.

To become a nuclear engineer, you can enter the industry through a degree apprenticeship.

These Level 6 qualifications allow you to study for a degree while gaining on-the-job training and building experience.

Nuclear engineering degree apprenticeships are available with:

• AWE - for those with a deep knowledge and understanding of engineering and science, a mechanical or electrical engineering apprenticeship will test your design, operational management and project management skills.
• Cavendish Nuclear - on the Process Engineering Apprenticeship, you'll help to integrate equipment and innovation from other industries into their nuclear solutions. During the programme, you'll gain a chemical and process engineering degree.
• EDF Energy - the four-year Nuclear Scientist Nuclear Engineer Apprenticeship allows you to work on their Hinkley Point C project while obtaining a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering.
• Rolls-Royce - with roles that include providing power for the Royal Navy's submarines, you'll learn at the Nuclear Skills Academy and gain experience in engineering, manufacturing and service environments.
• Sellafield Ltd - numerous pathways are available, from working in operations or commissioning in Cumbria to focusing on conventional safety or systems engineering in Warrington.
• Westinghouse - the five-year Nuclear Engineering Apprenticeship with Westinghouse Springfields Fuels provides you with a thorough understanding of the complex nuclear industry.

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) also offers degree apprenticeships in various areas, from clean energy and environmental restoration to health and nuclear medicine. The starting salary for these roles is £20,400.

As a nuclear energy degree apprentice, you'll typically earn £18,000 to £22,000 annually.

Read about other engineering apprenticeships and discover how to apply for an apprenticeship.

Nuclear courses

For those who want to take their academic study to the next level, you can consider Masters-level courses. They are available in a variety of subjects, including:

• nuclear decommissioning and waste management
• nuclear physics
• nuclear safety.

For instance, the University of Birmingham offers a selection of postgraduate nuclear energy courses, such as the MSc Global Energy Technologies and Systems and the MSc Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management.

Alternatively, The University of Manchester offers the MSc Nuclear Science and Technology for specialist engineers looking to operate and decommission existing reactors.

Explore the full range of nuclear engineering courses.

Search for postgraduate courses in nuclear energy.

Find out more

• Get an overview of the UK's energy and utilities sector.
• Explore careers in engineering and manufacturing.
• Learn more about related graduate jobs in science and pharmaceuticals.