If you enrolled before the 2025/2026 academic year, consult the list of Programmes and Regulations available on your School website.
The information provided about the programme refers to the academic year 2025/26 and may be subject to change in the academic year 2026/27.
Overview of the programme
MSc in Nuclear Engineering
The Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering is an academic programme designed to train professionals capable of addressing the complex challenges of the nuclear sector, which is now more strategic than ever from both a scientific and technological perspective, in energy and non-energy applications alike. The program provides strongly interdisciplinary expertise, ranging from the design and management of complex systems — including fission and fusion nuclear plants — to the safety of high-risk systems, from innovative materials to the nuclear fuel cycle.
Significant attention is also devoted to non-energy nuclear applications, such as medical and industrial uses of radiation, the development of systems and instrumentation for radiation detection, radiochemistry and radiation protection applied to environmental issues, as well as the study of matter physics, plasma physics, and nanotechnologies, in close connection with their implications for the nuclear field.
Through an approach that integrates theoretical education, laboratory activities, applied projects, and strong links with research and industry, the program prepares graduates to pursue careers in high-technology international environments or to continue their studies with a PhD programme.
Admission to the program is reserved for students holding a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent university qualification, with adequate preparation in the fundamental and core engineering disciplines.
For students who have graduated in Engineering from the Politecnico di Milano, admission is granted according to the criteria defined in the Academic Regulations, which take into account the educational background and curricular requirements.
For students who have graduated from other Italian universities, applications for admission are evaluated by a dedicated Committee on the basis of the candidate’s previous academic career and curricular requirements.
Full details on the admission requirements are available in Section 6 of the Academic Regulations here.
Applicants holding a foreign academic qualification equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree, with adequate preparation in the fundamental and core engineering disciplines, may apply for admission.
The application is first evaluated by the university’s International Admissions Office and subsequently examined by a dedicated Committee of the Degree Program, which assesses the student’s academic background and previous studies.
The nuclear engineer is required to integrate advanced knowledge of mathematics, physics, and chemistry, applying it effectively across the many fields of engineering. The study program is designed to progressively support the acquisition and integration of the scientific and technological expertise necessary for this professional role.
The first year is dedicated to consolidating fundamental knowledge and introducing advanced topics common to the various areas of nuclear engineering, while also providing the tools to begin defining a personal academic orientation through more specialized courses.
The second year focuses on core nuclear specialization, with the opportunity to choose among three different study tracks: Nuclear Power Plants, Nuclear Technologies, and Physics of Nuclear Systems. At this stage, the program becomes highly customizable, thanks to a wide range of elective courses that allow students to build a study plan aligned with their interests and professional goals.
A useful link to consult the study plan and the Academic Regulations is available here.
Graduates in Nuclear Engineering are equally likely to pursue a subsequent PhD program in Italy or abroad or to immediately embark on a professional career in the industrial, medical, or other sectors.
Thanks to their interdisciplinary education and their ability to tackle complex problems, nuclear engineers naturally find employment in both Italian and international contexts, such as companies involved in nuclear power generation, firms specializing in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and the disposal of radioactive waste, companies designing generators for medical applications, manufacturers of radiation detectors and monitoring systems, institutes and centers focused on nuclear fusion and high-energy physics, as well as research centers and universities.
Numerous high-technology sectors are also highly attractive to graduates, including engineering and consulting firms operating in the industrial, energy, or medical fields, hospitals, and national and supranational public regulatory authorities.
Employment data are available here.
Nuclear Engineering Degree Program website
School of Industrial and Information Engineering website
University’s Master’s Degree admissions page
Know more about the programme through a current student’s experience. Book your online one-to-one meeting through #Askastudent – Our voice for your choice project.
For information regarding admission to the MSc programme: application-nucleareng@polimi.it
Student Representatives: rappresentantistudenti-ccsnucleare@polimi.it