European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (EMSNE)
Each year, a selected number of Nuclear Engineers from the University of Pisa receive the certification of European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (EMSNE) issued by the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN).
The certification is released to all applying Engineers whose curriculum is found coherent with the by-laws of EMSNE (see EMSNE website), which requires a good coverage of nuclear matters and a period of stage abroad at an ENEN Member Institution for Courses or thesis/project work totalling a minimum of 20 ECTS credits.
The fact that every time students from the University of Pisa apply they are invariably granted the recognition is an implicit validation of the curriculum of the MSc in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Pisa in front of the European paradigm established by the by-laws, together with a recognition of the particular commitment of students in giving to their study a European dimension having a stage abroad.
The list of our EMSNE Alumni is rather long. Limiting it to the last years we remember:
- 3 EMSNE Laureates in 2008;
- 2 EMSNE Laureates in 2009;
- 1 EMSNE Laureate in 2010;
- 2 EMSNE Laureates in 2011;
- 2 EMSNE Laureates in 2012;
- 4 EMSNE Laureates in 2014;
- 7 EMSNE Laureates in 2015;
- 9 EMSNE Laureates in 2016;
- 3 EMSNE Laureates in 2017;
- 4 EMSNE Laureates in 2018;
- 3 EMSNE Laureates in 2020;
- 3 EMSNE Laureates in 2021;
- 1 EMNSE Laureate in 2022.
SLIDE SHOWS OF OUR DEGREE COURSE
Slide show del Corso di Laurea Magistrale in Italiano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmoqyEMcMFo
Slide show of the MSc in English
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTF9kWB35wg
LINKS TO NUCLEAR EDUCATION NETWORKS
- European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN)
- European Fusion Education Network (FuseNet)
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)
WORLD NUCLEAR UNIVERSITY
http://www.world-nuclear.org/our-association/what-we-do/world-nuclear-university.aspx
INTERESTING EDUCATIONAL LINKS
- Source: National Geographic, Published in 2017, A bit more than 2 minutes; it ends with a question mark on nuclear wastes…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta3z3pGK0vU
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Source: Thomas Schwenke, Published in 2013, A bit more than 4 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UwexvaCMWA
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Source: Areva, Description of a PWR, Duration slightly more than 5 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKL2QzYF16M
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Source: ORANO, Controlling Nuclear Power, Duration slightly more than 5 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0R2MrckXm4
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Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus, Published on 13 oct 2017, 2 Min sharp !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flXeSHwr9uM
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The Future Of Clean Nuclear Energy Is Coming, D News, About 4 mins, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7FvxN_gkt4
-
IAEA Video Nuclear Power in the 21st Century, 27 oct 2017,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwn8rAYgZVw
The following is a triad of videos
By Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
-
Nuclear Energy Explained: How does it work? 1/3, 26 mar 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcOFV4y5z8c
-
3 Reasons Why Nuclear Energy Is Terrible! 2/3, 1 apr 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEYbgyL5n1g
-
3 Reasons Why Nuclear Energy Is Awesome! 3/3, 1 apr 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVbLlnmxIbY
Ecologists for Nuclear
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Why I changed my mind about nuclear power | Michael Shellenberger, 17 nov 2017,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciStnd9Y2ak
Per contatti ed informazioni, inviare un messaggio di posta elettronica a
Email:
Per procedure formali, contattare la Responsabile dell'Unità Didattica del Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Industriale, Dott.ssa Francesca Nannelli.
Email:
For contacts and information, email
Email:
For formal procedures, contact the Responsible of the Educational Unit of the Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Industriale, Dr. Francesca Nannelli.
Email:
Come accedere alla Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Nucleare
Gli studenti di lingua e formazione italiane trovano una sommaria presentazione del corso nelle pagine del CdS sul Course Catalogue dell'Univeristà di Pisa (link) presso il quale sono disponibili anche informazioni sui requisiti di ammissione, sulla valutazione del corso da parte degli studenti e dei laureandi, sul piano di studio e sulle prospettive occupazionali.
Accesso dalle Lauree in Ingegneria Industriale
I laureati in Ingegneria Industriale presso qualunque Ateneo generalmente soddisfano i requisiti curriculari necessari per l'ammissione alla Laurea in Magistrale in Ingegneria Nucleare. Per quanto riguarda l'Ateneo Pisano, l'accesso senza compensazione è possibile dalle lauree in Ingegneria Aerospaziale, Ingegneria Chimica, Inegneria dell'Energia e Ingegneria Meccanica.
Percorsi particolari in Ingegneria
Presso l'Ateneo Pisano è stato comunque costituito un Curriculum Nucleare nella laurea in Ingegneria Meccanica (link).
Il Curriculum Nucleare nella Laurea in Ingegneria Meccanica dell'Universitò di Pisa ha lo scopo di fornire alcune competenze del settore nucleare utili per il prosieguo degli studi nella Laurea Magistrale, ma non è strettamente necessario per l'ammissione. Esso comprende i seguenti corsi, in sostituzione di corrispondenti corsi del Curriculum Meccanico:
- al secondo anno:
- PRINCIPI FISICI DI INGEGNERIA NUCLEARE (6 CFU)
- al terzo anno:
- FONDAMENTI DI IMPIANTI NUCLEARI (6 CFU)
- TRASMISSIONE DEL CALORE CON APPLICAZIONI NUMERICHE (6 CFU)
- SICUREZZA E ANALISI DEL RISCHIO (9 CFU)
Le altre materie sono le stesse del corso di Laurea in Ingegneria Meccanica.
Nella laurea in Ingegneria dell'Energia dell'Università di Pisa (link) è invece disponibile un corso a scelta di Principi di Ingegneria Nucleare (6 CFU) che anticipa alcune conoscenze nel settore nucleare.
E' comunque necessario ribadire che questi percorsi particolari non sono strettamente necessari per accedere alla Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Nucleare, che è stata concepita come autonoma dal percorso precedente, purché contenente un numero sufficiente di crediti di materie di base ed applicate.
Accesso dalla Laurea in Fisica
I laureati in Fisica possono accedere alla Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Nucleare sostenendo due esami a scelta recentemente attivati al terzo anno della laurea in Fisica dell'Ateneo Pisano, riguardanti Principi Termici e Meccanici dell'Ingegneria Nucleare (in due moduli da 6 CFU ciascuno o, nella versione più recente, in due esami separati da 6 CFU).
In alternativa, i gli esami dei due moduli possono essere sostenuti dopo l'ammissione alla Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Nucleare, come esami a scelta di un percorso di studio personalizzato.
Contributi di Studio
Per l'anno accademico 2025-2026, il Corso di Studio mette a disposizione 9 contributi di studio per studenti con titolo triennale italiano. Tre contributi del valore €3072.20 (link) finanziati dalla newcleo s.r.l. e sei contributi del valore di €1500.00 (link) finanziati dal CdS stesso. Tutte le informazioni per partecipare alla selezione sono disponibili ai link forniti.
Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering at Pisa University
PRE-ENROLMENT OF FOREIGN STUDENTS
Academic Year 2026-2027
Fully taught in English!
In Brief
- The official call for the academic year 2026-2027 is now available
- Students with a qualification obtained outside of Italy must apply at the portal: https://applymscenglish.unipi.it/en/studenti
- Welcome and support at: https://www.unipi.it/index.php/welcome-and-support
- Information on fees and grants at: https://www.unipi.it/index.php/tuition-fees-and-financial-support
- Students must pay a fee to apply (see more details on the application portal).
Please, carefully follow the instructions on the portal, uploading all required documents.
Course Description
Name of the Programme
Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering
Chair of the Programme
Prof. Valerio Giusti (
Brief presentation
The Master of Science programme in Nuclear Engineering is based on the long tradition in teaching Nuclear Engineering at the University of Pisa, which started in 1960. The study matters cover all the important areas necessary for acquiring high-level competencies in the field, including Reactor Physics, Nuclear Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics, Structural Mechanics, Radiation Measurement and Health Effects, Nuclear Reactor Power Plant Technology, Nuclear Materials, Nuclear Reactor Control and Operation, Nuclear Reactor Safety and Reliability.
Including the basic matters required for a sound education in Nuclear Engineering, the MSc programme has already granted to many of its past students the possibility to obtain the European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (EMSNE) certification. This certification is released by the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) to Nuclear Engineers with a good background, who also fulfilled the minimum requirements of mobility for courses or thesis work at European organisations belonging to the Association (members' list).
Programme Overview
The study programme is structured into two years of 60 ECTS credits each, including the final thesis work.
In addition, personalised curricula resulting from exchanges with foreign Universities, also within ENEN and FuseNet, are somewhat accepted.
The course is fully taught in English. The teacher's network of international contacts often allows performing part of the thesis work in cooperation with or at renowned institutions in Italy and abroad.
An updated list of the courses can be found here.
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar defines the periods of lectures, examinations and vacations for all of the Engineering courses offered at the University of Pisa. All Engineering courses are taught over two semesters. Yearly courses are mostly taught in two parts or modules, with possible intermediate exams, held during the period between lectures.
Lecture Periods:
- Fall Semester: End of September → Mid December;
- Spring Semester: End of February → End of May.
Examinations:
- sessions in January and February;
- sessions in June and July;
- sessions in September.
Professional perspectives
Nuclear Engineers graduated at the University of Pisa have found employment in Italy and abroad in the nuclear field and in conventional industry. The broad education in engineering matters and the specific skills in the nuclear field provide a flexible and targeted background that can be used for nuclear energy applications as well as for other major industrial endeavours. The research and development fields also absorb a considerable share of our graduates.
Nuclear Studies can be also continued at the University of Pisa in the Research Doctorate Programme in Nuclear Engineering and Industrial Safety, obtaining higher qualifications to be spent in the research field.
A short gallery of our “testimonials”, i.e. past students now working in Italy and abroad, can be found here.
Admission
Applications for admission can be submitted only through the dedicated portal (link).
Admission to the Master’s Degree Program in Nuclear Engineering of the University of Pisa (Academic Year 2025/26) is open to individuals holding a relevant scientific
bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or superior foreign academic qualification. The applicants must be individuals with a qualification not obtained in Italy.
An Evaluation Committee, appointed by the Master Program Board, will assess the applications, verifying that:
- the applicant meets the admission requirements;
- the applicant’s preparation is adequate to successfully attend the degree program activities, with particular attention to basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, structural mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
A preliminary assessment will examine the applicant's CV and qualifications. Selected applicants will have to complete an online interview.
Requirements for Admission
In brief, the candidate should have passed sufficient university-level examinations in mathematics, physics, chemistry, thermo-dynamics, thermal machines, mechanical drawing, continuum mechanics, and machine design. A list of necessary courses passed is the following:
- Mathematics (MATH, at least 4 semesters)
- Physics (PHYS, at least 2 semesters)
- Chemistry (CHEM, at least 1 semester)
- Thermodynamics, Heat transfer, Energy systems (THE, at least 1 semester)
- Strength of materials, mechanical drawing, mechanical design and production (MECH, at least 2 semesters)
A reasonable knowledge of the English language is also requested (level B2 or equivalent).
Websites and contacts
For receiving information, send e-mail messages to:
- Prof. Valerio Giusti:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - the contact of the YouNuclear webpage:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - the Department Coordination Point:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or visit the official webpages on the University of Pisa Course Catalogue (link).
A final message to summarise our spirit
Nuclear engineering study is a wonderful cultural experience, aiming to contribute to developing the energy mix of the future. The use of nuclear energy is relatively young in civilization's history and has great development potential. Learning how to use it at its best is the commitment of those who wish to give the world an additional chance to reach fully sustainable development.
In this commitment to progress towards a better world, we recognize that:
“It is harder to crack a prejudice than an atom”
(Albert Einstein)