Scholarship opportunities at top Chinese university open to Essex graduates

The Bradwell B project is encouraging Essex graduates to consider a career in nuclear power as part of an international scholarship programme.

CGN, the main shareholder in Bradwell B, is supporting Beijing’s Tsinghua University’s search for applicants for a scholarship on their International Master’s Program in Nuclear Engineering and Management.

The two-year full scholarship master’s programme, which includes paid tuition and accommodation fees, gives graduates the chance to learn at one of China’s top universities.  It involves industry internships on some of the most innovative nuclear projects in the world and provides the opportunity to truly experience China.

Applications for the 2021 programme are open until 1 March 2021. The programme is exclusively for international students and is supported by the three major nuclear power groups in China including CGN.

Alan Raymant Bradwell B project’s Chief Executive said: “We want to encourage graduates in the UK, and especially those who live or study in Essex, to apply for this opportunity. Building links with world-leading nuclear programmes, such as at Tsinghua, is a great first step to developing a highly-skilled local workforce for the delivery of Bradwell B and other UK new nuclear projects.

“Bradwell B will require tens of thousands of people during construction and 900 permanent jobs in operation for over 60 years. We are identifying now the skills we will need to construct and operate Bradwell B, and we will work with schools and education providers to ensure local residents maximise the opportunities from the project.”

Nils Sundstrom, Graduate Engineer at Bradwell B and UK Tsinghua scholarship graduate 2019, said: “Overall, the programme was a fantastic experience that afforded me the opportunity to not only attain a degree from a university ranked in the top 10 globally for engineering and get great graduate job, but also to explore a new country, learn a new language and meet amazing people from all over the world.”

Tsinghua University International Master’s Programme in Nuclear Engineering and Management is supported by the National Energy Administration of China, the Chinese Ministry of Education and the three major nuclear power groups in China including CGN.

More information, including the programme application form, is available on Tsinghua University’s website.

Watch our video to find out more

Two of Bradwell B’s Graduate Engineers, Ben and Nils, completed the programme in 2019, and they explain more about their experience and the benefits it has brought to their work on the Bradwell B project in our Spotlight video.

 

Case study: Ben

What were you doing before the Masters Programme?

I was at the University of Sheffield studying aerospace engineering. I knew I wanted to study something that combined maths and physics, so engineering seemed like a logical choice.

I was considering options for what I would do after university, and when I got an email from the Engineering Department about the Tsinghua University scholarship and master’s, I thought it was definitely worth applying – but didn’t expect to get in.

What’s it like living and studying in China?

It was very different to studying in the UK, but everyone was really friendly and the social life was really fun. We took some Chinese language lessons as part of the course, which I have continued with since coming back to the UK.

What was the best part of the course?

The programme was highly regarded within China and provided great opportunities via placements or through attendance at international conferences, where we’d listen to the leading experts in nuclear and learn about the latest innovations driving the sector.

What advice would you give to someone considering applying?

With the course being a joint venture between the top university in China and the three largest nuclear power companies, the opportunities which the course can offer are countless. I would thoroughly recommend this to anybody considering it.

Case study: Nils

How did you find out about the master’s programme and what interested you about it?

Tsinghua University had promoted the scheme to some UK universities. I heard about the opportunity through a student email from the Dean and thought it sounded really interesting, so I decided to apply.

What was the programme like?

The programme was exclusively for international students, meaning we were learning alongside people from around the world, which was a great experience. Students are offered accommodation on campus in the international student dorms, along with their classmates and students from other international programmes.

The first year was mainly lectures and seminars on campus and the second year included your thesis and industry placements.

What did you enjoy the most?

My favourite part of the experience was the opportunity to meet really interesting people from all over the world, as well as getting to really engage with China and learn about the country.

The scholarship meant that tuition fees and living expenses were fully paid. I managed to save some money and do lots of traveling throughout China. At the end of the two years, I travelled back to the UK via Hong Kong, the Philippines and Japan.

How would you sum up the experience?

Overall, the programme was a fantastic experience that afforded me the opportunity to not only attain a degree from a university ranked in the top 10 globally for engineering and a great graduate job, but also to explore a new country, learn a new language and meet amazing people from all over the world.