It may not be rocket science but the University of Central Lancashire is to develop a series of nuclear foundation degrees.

UCLan will now work with the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, a skills and training initiative set up to meet the needs of employers in Britain's nuclear industry, and other agencies to to provide "up-skilling" foundation degrees for school leavers, new entrants and individuals retraining.

Having already pioneered the highly successful Foundation Degree in Nuclear Decommissioning, and become a key part of UCLan's science offering, the university's Westlakes Research Institute was the obvious place to base the new degrees.

Graham Baldwin, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Nuclear), said: "We believe that the blueprint to success in the nuclear field is to ensure that teaching is informed by a strong research culture.

This is provided by the University-owned Westlakes Research Institute located at our West Cumbrian campus.

The Institute holds an international research reputation in environmental and health related sciences such as radiation, genetics and epidemiology."