FATP · an independent directoryApprenticeship data sourced from DfE, ESFA and IfATEUpdated daily · GB
L6Apprenticeship471 approved provider
The Level 6 Nuclear scientist and nuclear engineer (integrated degree), and the 1 provider delivering it.
Ensuring nuclear systems and equipment operate safely and efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices develop a thorough grounding in engineering and science principles as they apply to nuclear systems, equipment, and facilities. The programme covers design, plant performance, operational management, project management, and safety standards. Analytical and problem-solving skills run throughout, alongside communication and teamworking competencies needed to operate across all levels of an organisation. On completion, apprentices meet the requirements of both their employer and the relevant Professional Body Institution for the nuclear sector.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Working within a nuclear facility or engineering function, an apprentice will contribute to technical design work, support plant performance reviews, and assist with project management tasks. They will apply safety case thinking, help maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, and produce technical reports or presentations for colleagues at different seniority levels. Depending on the employer, they may work across disciplines including mechanical, electrical, or process engineering, and will typically collaborate with operational, safety, and scientific teams.
Career outlook
Completion typically leads to roles such as nuclear engineer, nuclear scientist, plant engineer, safety case engineer, or project engineer. Many graduates progress toward chartered engineer status with bodies such as the Nuclear Institute or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Employers span the full nuclear sector, including power generation, defence, decommissioning, waste management, and national laboratories. Senior progression can move into principal engineer, technical authority, or programme management roles, with demand sustained by the UK's long-term decommissioning programme and new-build pipeline.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Blackpool and The Fylde College
Employer: 4.0
Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) offers a wide range of technical and professional education o...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completers typically move into graduate-level technical roles within the nuclear sector. Common job titles include Nuclear Engineer, Nuclear Scientist, Reactor Systems Engineer, Safety Case Engineer, Radiological Protection Adviser, and Nuclear Commissioning Engineer. Some move into specialist technical support functions such as Nuclear Waste Management Scientist or Decommissioning Engineer, depending on where their employer operates in the fuel cycle.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many progress to Senior Nuclear Engineer or Senior Safety Case Engineer, often supported by chartership through the Institute of Nuclear Engineers (INucE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology, or the Institute of Physics. Beyond that, the career typically splits: a leadership track leads to Principal Engineer, Technical Manager, or Project Director roles; a deep-specialist track leads to positions such as Lead Reactor Physicist, Criticality Safety Specialist, or Head of Safety Case. Both tracks carry significant professional responsibility.
Where these roles sit
The majority of employers are large organisations in civil nuclear power generation, nuclear defence, and nuclear decommissioning. That includes power station operators, government-owned decommissioning bodies, defence contractors working on submarine propulsion programmes, and specialist nuclear consultancies. Regulatory bodies, national laboratories, and university research programmes also recruit at this level. The sector spans both public and private ownership, with some roles sitting within government-sponsored programmes.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place alongside full employment in a nuclear setting, with the apprentice building knowledge, skills and behaviours across engineering or science disciplines relevant to their specific role. Because this is an integrated degree apprenticeship, academic study and workplace development run in parallel rather than as separate phases. Before final assessment, the apprentice must pass a readiness check (the gateway), confirming they have met the required standards of competence. Final assessment then confirms the apprentice can perform at the level expected for a qualified nuclear scientist or engineer. Assessment models for several standards are currently being updated; check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Throughout the apprenticeship, learners should keep detailed records of their workplace activity, including design work, safety-critical decisions, project involvement and any operational management responsibilities. Evidence gathered consistently over time is far stronger than anything assembled close to the gateway. Working closely with both the employer and the training provider to track progress against the knowledge, skills and behaviours framework will help identify any gaps early. Learners should also engage with the relevant professional body from the outset, as registration requirements may influence what evidence needs to be collected.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Providers with strong achievement rates above 75% on FATP matter here because the integrated degree format is demanding and attrition is a real risk. Look for universities or training organisations with a direct relationship to nuclear industry employers, ideally evidenced by employer satisfaction scores above 80% and reviews that mention site visits, real plant exposure or active involvement from nuclear operators in curriculum design. For this standard specifically, check whether the provider can demonstrate access to nuclear-relevant laboratory facilities, radiation safety training, and tutors with backgrounds in the nuclear sector rather than general engineering.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers with high enrolment numbers but falling achievement rates, which may indicate the cohort is not being supported through the degree-level workload. Vague answers about industry partnerships in the nuclear sector are a warning sign, since this standard is highly specialist and generic engineering delivery is not a substitute. If a provider cannot point to alumni working in nuclear operations, decommissioning, new build or defence nuclear roles, that gap matters. Also probe opaque arrangements where the degree element and the apprenticeship employer engagement are poorly joined up.
Questions to ask before you commit
- Which nuclear industry organisations have been involved in shaping or reviewing your delivery of this standard?
- What facilities do apprentices have access to for practical work, including any laboratory or radiological environments?
- How do you coordinate between the university degree programme and the workplace learning requirements of the standard?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- Can you provide examples of where your completers have gone on to work within the nuclear sector?
- How is safety case work and regulatory compliance knowledge built into the programme?
- What professional body registration outcomes have your apprentices achieved on completion?
Common questions
What qualifications or experience does someone need to start this apprenticeship?
Entry requirements are set by individual employers and training providers, so they vary. Most will expect strong A-levels or equivalent qualifications in maths and sciences, typically including physics or chemistry. Some employers may accept relevant work experience or prior qualifications at level 3. Check directly with your chosen provider or employer, as nuclear sector organisations often have additional security and medical clearance requirements on top of the academic criteria.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how does study fit around work?
The typical duration is 36 months, though this can vary depending on the employer and individual progress. The apprentice remains employed throughout, combining on-the-job experience with academic study towards an integrated degree. The split between workplace learning and off-the-job study is set within the apprenticeship standard; for the current specification on time commitments, check the gov.uk page for this standard, as requirements are subject to revision under ongoing reforms.
How is the apprentice assessed at the end of the programme?
Before the end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through the gateway, which involves the employer and training provider confirming the apprentice has met the required knowledge, skills and behaviours. Assessment models for many standards are being updated under current Skills England reforms, so check the gov.uk standard page for the most up-to-date details. Broadly, the apprentice will need to demonstrate technical competence in engineering or science disciplines alongside communication and professional standards expected by the relevant Professional Body Institutions.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship, and what does it cost?
The funding band for this standard is £27,000, which is the maximum government contribution per apprentice. Larger employers paying the apprenticeship levy use their levy account to cover costs. Smaller employers co-invest with the government, typically contributing 5% of the training cost, with the government funding the remainder. If you employ fewer than 50 people and take on an apprentice aged 16 to 18, the government covers the full training cost.
What does someone in this role actually do from day to day?
Day-to-day work varies by employer and site, but typically includes supporting the design or modification of nuclear systems, monitoring plant performance, contributing to safety case work, and taking part in project and operational management activities. Apprentices apply analytical thinking to solve engineering or scientific problems within tightly regulated environments. They are expected to communicate findings and recommendations across different levels of the organisation, including technical teams, management and external regulators.
Where can this apprenticeship lead once completed?
Completing this apprenticeship results in a level 6 integrated degree, which qualifies graduates for chartered or incorporated engineer status through the relevant Professional Body Institution with further experience. Many move into specialist engineering roles, safety case management, project leadership or research positions within the civil nuclear sector, defence nuclear programmes or related regulated industries. The degree also provides a foundation for postgraduate study at master's or doctoral level for those who want to specialise further.
Not sure which provider fits?
Tell us a bit about your team and we'll send a shortlist.
Need help choosing a provider?
Tell us your requirements and we'll match you with the right training providers.
Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 47.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Related standards
Engineering Technician L3Through life engineering services specialist (integrated degree) L7Compressed air and vacuum technician L3Food And Drink Engineer L5Mineral processing weighbridge operator L2Ordnance munitions and explosives specialist (integrated degree) L7Water process operative L2Systems engineer (degree) L7