Certificate of Achievement
has completed the following course:
Exploring Fusion Energy: Powering the Future
This online course provided an introduction to fusion energy. We discussed why the development of fusion energy is important and its potential benefits to society. We explored the conditions necessary for controlled fusion reactions in a functioning power plant, the principles behind fusion devices, and identified the benefits and challenges associated with different technological choices. We discovered a range of career paths into fusion and some options for next steps.
3 weeks, 6 hours per week
Dr Kate Lancaster
Senior Lecturer
University of York
Transcript
Learning outcomes
- Investigate why the development of fusion energy is important, specifying the benefits to wider society.
- Explore the conditions necessary for controlled fusion reactions to happen in sufficient quantities for a functioning power plant.
- Explain the principles behind fusion devices, identifying the benefits and challenges associated with different technological choices.
- Develop your next steps to finding a place within the fusion story.
Syllabus
- Introduction to Fusion: What it is, why it matters, and the progress to date
- Plasmas for Fusion: The main approaches to creating the conditions necessary to fuse atoms
- Fusion Technologies: An overview of the technology choices and designs to bring fusion energy to the grid
- What is next: a brief guide to the types of careers and career pathways for those who are interested in going deeper.
Issued on 20th August 2026
The person named on this certificate has completed the activities in the transcript above. For more information about Certificates of Achievement and the effort required to become eligible, visit futurelearn.com/proof-of-learning/certificate-of-achievement.
This certificate represents proof of learning. It is not a formal qualification, degree, or part of a degree.