Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering at Pisa University

PRE-ENROLMENT OF FOREIGN STUDENTS

Academic Year 2025-2026

Fully taught in English!

In Brief

• The official call for the academic year 2025-2026 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
• Starting this academic year, students must pay a fee to apply according to their country of origin (more details on the application portal).

Please, carefully follow the instructions on the portal starting from the registration and uploading all the required documents.

Course Description

Name of the Programme

Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering

Chair of the Programme

Prof. Valerio Giusti (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

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, started in 1960. The study matters cover all the important areas necessary for acquiring high-level competences 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.

Containing the basic matters required for a sound education in Nuclear Engineering, the MSc programme already granted to many of its past-students the possibility to obtain the certification of European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (EMSNE). This is the certification released by the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) to Nuclear Engineers with a good background, who also fulfilled minimum requirements of mobility for courses or thesis work at European organisations belonging to the Association (www.enen-assoc.org).

Programme Overview

The study programme is structured into two years of 60 ECTS credits each, including the final thesis work.

In addition, a sentence has been added to the Regulations in order to accept personalised curricula that could result also from exchanges with foreign Universities, also within ENEN and FuseNet: we will be better flexible !!!

At the moment the course is fully offered in English language, but just a minimum knowledge of Italian language is requested to attend the lectures of few side examinations, whenever required, since the basic jargon of the matters is in English. The tight network of international contacts of the teachers in the course allows performing part of the thesis work in cooperation with or at renowned institutions in Italy and abroad.

For the Academic Year 2012-2013 the previously existing Laurea (3 year BSc) in nuclear engineering matters is substituted by a specific “Nuclear Path” activated within the BSc in Mechanical Engineering.

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)

The Master of Science programme in Nuclear Engineering, FULLY TAUGHT IN ENGLISH, is based on the long tradition in teaching Nuclear Engineering at the University of Pisa, started in 1960.

The study matters cover all the important areas necessary for acquiring high-level competences 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.

Containing the basic matters required for a sound education in Nuclear Engineering, the MSc programme already granted to many of its past-students the possibility to obtain the certification of European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (EMSNE). This is the certification released by the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) to Nuclear Engineers with a good background, who also fulfilled minimum requirements of mobility for courses or thesis work at European organisations belonging to the Association (http://www.enen.eu/). Owing to a tight link also with the European Fusion Education Network (Fusenet, http://www.fusenet.eu/),  the MSc Course is able to offer several study opportunities abroad at ENEN and FuseNet Member institutions, for courses and thesis works.  

The Programme is presently taught in English in order to make Italian students ready to operate in the international environment in which nuclear engineers are called to act and to open the teaching offer to students from abroad.

An updated list of the courses can be found at: link

Information on the procedure for the final degree can be found at: Esame di laurea (unipi.it)

SCHEDA SUA ANNUALE: Nuclear engineering - ingegneria nucleare (LM-30, ex LM-26) | Requisiti di trasparenza (fonte AlmaLaurea) | AlmaLaurea

La Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Nucleare, erogato completamente in LINGUA INGLESE,  si fonda sulla lunga tradizione dell’insegnamento in Ingegneria Nucleare all’Università di Pisa, iniziata nel 1960.

Le materie di studio coprono tutte le tematiche necessarie per acquisire competenze di alto livello nel settore, includendo la Fisica del Reattore, la Termoidraulica, la Meccanica Strutturale, le Misure delle Radiazioni nucleari e i loro effetti sulla salute, la Tecnologia degli Impianti Nucleari di potenza, i Materiali Nucleari, il Controllo e l’Esercizio dei Reattori Nucleari, l’Affidabilità e la Sicurezza dei Reattori Nucleari.

Coinvolgendo tutte le materie richieste per una solida formazione in Ingegneria Nucleare, il Corso ha permesso a molti studenti del recente passato di ottenere il titolo di European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (EMSNE). Si tratta della certificazione rilasciata dall’European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) a Ingegneri Nucleari con una buona preparazione che abbiano anche soddisfatto a criteri di mobilità in Europa presso Istituzioni membri dell’Associazione  (http://www.enen.eu/). Grazie ad uno stretto legame anche con la European Fusion Education Network (FuseNet, http://www.fusenet.eu/),  il corso di laurea può offirire mollt opportunità di studio all'estero presso Istituzioni membri die ENEN e FuseNet, sia per seguire corsi che per tesi.  

I corsi della Laurea Magistrale sono attualmente tenuti in lingua Inglese per permettere agli studenti italiani di essere pronti per operare nell’ambiente internazionale in cui sono chiamati ad agire e per accogliere studenti stranieri.

Un elenco aggiornato dei corsi è riportato al link:   link   

Informazioni sulla procedura per conseguire il titolo di laurea: Esame di laurea (unipi.it)

SCHEDA SUA ANNUALE: Nuclear engineering - ingegneria nucleare (LM-30, ex LM-26) | Requisiti di trasparenza (fonte AlmaLaurea) | AlmaLaurea