Science

Master of Science in Nuclear Science and Technology

The Master of Science in Nuclear Science and Technology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in nuclear physics, radiation protection, nuclear instrumentation, and applications of nuclear technology. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in radiation safety, nuclear medicine, industrial applications, environmental monitoring, and nuclear research.

Core areas include nuclear physics, radiation protection, nuclear spectroscopy, reactor physics, radiochemistry, medical physics, nuclear instrumentation, radiation dosimetry, particle detection, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical nuclear science applications.

The programme is offered across multiple Kenyan universities, with the University of Nairobi's Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology as the premier centre. UoN offers MSc in Nuclear Science and Technology (code S56, 2 years) with established research facilities including HPGe spectrometer and ground-penetrating radar. The programme is multidisciplinary for graduates from physical sciences and engineering.

Students develop competencies in radiation measurement, nuclear instrumentation, radiation protection, radiochemistry, nuclear physics, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. UoN MSc Nuclear Science and Technology intake is in September. Entry requires BSc Honours in biological or physical sciences, or engineering, or equivalent from a recognised university. IAEA supports the programme through equipment donations and training.

Graduates pursue careers as nuclear scientists, radiation safety officers, medical physicists, radiochemists, and lecturers in research institutions, hospitals, regulatory bodies, nuclear facilities, and universities.

Skills Required

Nuclear Physics and Atomic Physics
Radiation Protection and Dosimetry
Nuclear Spectroscopy and Instrumentation
Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry
Reactor Physics and Nuclear Engineering
Medical Physics and Nuclear Medicine
Radiation Detection and Measurement
Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring
Nuclear Analytical Techniques
Nuclear Science Research Methods

Key Subjects

Nuclear Physics
Radiation Protection and Dosimetry
Nuclear Spectroscopy
Radiochemistry
Reactor Physics
Medical Physics
Nuclear Instrumentation
Particle Detection
Applications of Nuclear Techniques
Nuclear Science Research Methods

Certifications

KNRA Radiation Safety Certification
IAEA Nuclear Science Certification

Specializations

Radiation Protection

Focuses on radiation protection, dosimetry, radiation safety, shielding, radiation monitoring, and ensuring safe use of radiation in various applications.

Nuclear Physics

Examines nuclear physics, nuclear reactions, nuclear structure, radioactivity, nuclear models, and understanding nuclear phenomena and properties.

Medical Physics

Covers medical physics, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, radiation dosimetry in medicine, and applying nuclear science in medical diagnosis and treatment.

Radiochemistry

Focuses on radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, radioactive decay, radioisotopes, radiotracer techniques, and applying chemistry in nuclear science.

Nuclear Instrumentation

Examines nuclear instrumentation, particle detectors, nuclear electronics, spectrometry, data acquisition, and designing and using nuclear instruments.

Industrial Applications

Covers industrial applications of nuclear technology, non-destructive testing, industrial radiography, nuclear gauging, food irradiation, and applying nuclear technology in industry.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 523,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Nuclear Physics
Radiation Protection and Dosimetry
Nuclear Spectroscopy
Radiochemistry
Reactor Physics
Medical Physics
Nuclear Instrumentation
Particle Detection
Applications of Nuclear Techniques
Nuclear Science Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines atomic structure, nuclear structure, nuclear forces, nuclear models, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, and understanding atomic and nuclear physics.
Nuclear Spectroscopy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers gamma spectroscopy, alpha spectroscopy, beta spectroscopy, HPGe detectors, scintillation detectors, spectral analysis, and measuring and analysing nuclear radiation.
Radiation Protection and Dosimetry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines radiation dosimetry, radiation safety, shielding, ALARA, radiation monitoring, dose limits, biological effects, and ensuring safe use of radiation.
Particle Detection and Nuclear Electronics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers gas detectors, scintillation detectors, semiconductor detectors, neutron detectors, nuclear electronics, data acquisition, and detecting and measuring nuclear particles.
Solid State Physics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers crystal structure, x-ray diffraction, semiconductor physics, material properties, radiation effects on materials, and understanding solid state physics relevant to nuclear science.
Research Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for nuclear science, experimental design, data analysis, statistical methods, radiation measurement, and conducting nuclear science research, preparing students for their thesis.
Applications of Nuclear Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines non-destructive testing, industrial radiography, food irradiation, nuclear gauging, radiocarbon dating, neutron activation analysis, and applying nuclear techniques in various fields.
Medical Physics and Instrumentation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, CT, MRI, PET, radiation dosimetry in medicine, and applying nuclear science in medical diagnosis and treatment.
Reactor Physics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines nuclear reactors, reactor kinetics, reactor types, fuel cycles, criticality, reactor safety, and understanding nuclear reactor physics.
Radiochemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers radioactive decay, radioisotopes, radiotracer techniques, neutron activation, isotope production, nuclear chemistry, and applying chemistry in nuclear science.
Advanced Nuclear Physics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines advanced nuclear physics topics, nuclear interactions, scattering, nuclear models, nuclear astrophysics, and advanced nuclear phenomena.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a nuclear science and technology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and nuclear science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Radiation Protection
Focuses on radiation protection, dosimetry, radiation safety, shielding, radiation monitoring, and ensuring safe use of radiation in various applications.
Nuclear Physics
Examines nuclear physics, nuclear reactions, nuclear structure, radioactivity, nuclear models, and understanding nuclear phenomena and properties.
Medical Physics
Covers medical physics, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, radiation dosimetry in medicine, and applying nuclear science in medical diagnosis and treatment.
Radiochemistry
Focuses on radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, radioactive decay, radioisotopes, radiotracer techniques, and applying chemistry in nuclear science.
Nuclear Instrumentation
Examines nuclear instrumentation, particle detectors, nuclear electronics, spectrometry, data acquisition, and designing and using nuclear instruments.
Industrial Applications
Covers industrial applications of nuclear technology, non-destructive testing, industrial radiography, nuclear gauging, food irradiation, and applying nuclear technology in industry.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Nuclear Science and Technology programme begins with morning lectures on nuclear physics, radiation protection, or nuclear instrumentation. Students engage in theoretical discussions on nuclear phenomena, radiation safety, and nuclear applications. Nuclear physics sessions cover nuclear structure, nuclear reactions, radioactivity, nuclear models, nuclear forces, and understanding nuclear phenomena. Radiation protection sessions examine radiation dosimetry, radiation safety, shielding, ALARA, radiation monitoring, dose limits, and ensuring safe use of radiation. Nuclear spectroscopy sessions cover gamma spectroscopy, alpha spectroscopy, beta spectroscopy, HPGe detectors, scintillation detectors, and measuring and analysing nuclear radiation. Radiochemistry sessions examine radioactive decay, radioisotopes, radiotracer techniques, neutron activation, isotope production, and applying chemistry in nuclear science. Reactor physics sessions cover nuclear reactors, reactor kinetics, reactor types, fuel cycles, criticality, and understanding nuclear reactor physics. Medical physics sessions examine nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, CT, MRI, PET, radiation dosimetry in medicine, and applying nuclear science in medical diagnosis and treatment. Nuclear instrumentation sessions cover particle detectors, nuclear electronics, data acquisition, spectrometry, counting systems, and designing and using nuclear instruments. Particle detection sessions examine gas detectors, scintillation detectors, semiconductor detectors, neutron detectors, and detecting and measuring nuclear particles. Applications sessions cover non-destructive testing, industrial radiography, food irradiation, nuclear gauging, radiocarbon dating, and applying nuclear techniques in various fields. Environmental sessions examine environmental radioactivity, radon, fallout, environmental monitoring, and monitoring environmental radiation. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with radiation measurement, spectroscopy, dosimetry, nuclear instrumentation, and radiochemistry. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering nuclear science research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from UoN INST faculty, KNRA officials, IAEA experts, medical physicists, and international nuclear science experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

UoN's Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology is the premier nuclear science centre in Kenya, with IAEA-supported facilities including HPGe spectrometer and ground-penetrating radar.
IAEA provides equipment, training, fellowships, and capacity building, offering excellent international collaboration opportunities.
Career opportunities with KNRA, hospitals, research institutions, industrial companies, mining companies, and international organisations like IAEA, WNA, and IRPA.
Programme addresses Kenya's growing needs in medical physics, radiation regulation, industrial applications, and potential nuclear energy.

Against it

Job market demand is moderate, with limited dedicated nuclear science positions in Kenya currently.
Programme requires physical sciences, biological sciences, or engineering background, which may exclude some graduates.
Laboratory work requires access to radiation sources, nuclear instrumentation, and spectroscopy equipment, which may be limited to UoN INST.
Many of the 54 listed universities may not independently offer this programme; UoN INST is the primary centre.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public150k to 523k

150k at South Eastern Kenya University523k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN ~523K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). SEKU unverified. Private unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. IAEA supports nuclear science capacity building through fellowships and training. AFRA supports nuclear cooperation in Africa. KNRA supports radiation safety training. The programme's nuclear science focus attracts IAEA and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
IAEA Fellowship Funding
AFRA Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate nuclear science and technology studies at recognised universities.
IAEA Fellowship Funding
GrantKsh 500,000
IAEA supports nuclear science capacity building through fellowships, providing funding for postgraduate study and training in nuclear science and technology.
AFRA Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
AFRA supports nuclear science cooperation in Africa, providing funding for postgraduate research in nuclear science and technology.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is multidisciplinary and accepts graduates from physical sciences, biological sciences, and engineering. UoN requires BSc Honours in biological or physical sciences, or engineering, or equivalent. Two-year programme with September intake at UoN. IAEA supports the programme through equipment donations and training.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, problem sets, nuclear analysis projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering nuclear physics, radiation protection, nuclear spectroscopy, and reactor physics, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, radiation measurement, spectroscopy, dosimetry, nuclear instrumentation, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a nuclear science and technology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and nuclear science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN's Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology offers MSc in Nuclear Science and Technology (S56, 2 years) as the premier centre. The programme is multidisciplinary for graduates from physical sciences and engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate nuclear science training. KNRA regulates radiation and nuclear activities in Kenya, and IAEA supports the programme through equipment and training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN's Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology offers MSc in Nuclear Science and Technology (S56, 2 years) as the premier centre. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate nuclear science training.
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA)
Professional accreditation
KNRA regulates radiation and nuclear activities in Kenya. Graduates working with radiation sources may benefit from KNRA licensing and radiation safety certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Nuclear Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts nuclear science research, overseeing radiation measurement, nuclear analysis, research, and supporting nuclear science applications.
Radiation Safety Officer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages radiation safety programmes, overseeing radiation protection, dosimetry, monitoring, compliance, and ensuring radiation safety in facilities.
Medical Physicist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Applies nuclear science in medicine, overseeing radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, radiation dosimetry, and supporting nuclear medicine services.
Radiochemist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Specialises in radiochemistry, overseeing radioisotope production, radiotracer techniques, nuclear chemistry, and supporting radiochemistry applications.
Nuclear Instrumentation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Specialises in nuclear instrumentation, overseeing detector systems, spectrometry, calibration, and supporting nuclear measurement systems.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches nuclear science and physics in universities, conducting research and training future nuclear science professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as nuclear scientists, radiation safety officers, and medical physicists in research institutions, hospitals, regulatory bodies, and nuclear facilities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Genie 2000
SoftwarePrimary
Gamma spectroscopy software for nuclear radiation analysis, spectrum analysis, isotope identification, and analysing gamma spectroscopy data from HPGe and scintillation detectors.
MCNP
SoftwarePrimary
Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code for radiation transport simulation, shielding calculation, dosimetry, and nuclear physics modelling.
MATLAB
Software
Numerical computing software for nuclear physics calculations, data analysis, radiation modelling, and computational nuclear science applications.
Origin
Software
Data analysis and graphing software for nuclear science data, spectroscopy data, radiation measurement data, and scientific data visualisation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Nuclear science is only about nuclear weapons.
The programme focuses on peaceful applications of nuclear science including medical physics, industrial applications, environmental monitoring, radiation safety, and research.
This programme is only for physics graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from physical sciences, biological sciences, engineering, and related fields, being multidisciplinary.
There is limited demand for nuclear science professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's growing medical physics needs, radiation regulation, industrial applications, mining, and potential nuclear power create moderate demand for qualified nuclear science professionals.
Nuclear science is dangerous.
Nuclear science emphasises radiation safety, protection, dosimetry, and regulatory compliance, making it safe when proper protocols are followed.
Nuclear technology is not relevant to Kenya.
Nuclear technology is relevant to Kenya for medical diagnosis and treatment, industrial applications, food safety, water management, and potential energy generation.
A master's in nuclear science is redundant after a physics degree.
The master's provides specialised nuclear science skills, radiation safety knowledge, research capability, and career progression to senior nuclear science positions.