Rail and Rail Systems Principal Engineer

At the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE), we are leaders in railway science and education. With over 130 academics, researchers and professional support staff, we deliver world-class research and thought leadership within railways, and offer an expanding portfolio of high-quality education programmes.

Our close relationships with the rail industry mean that our research and teaching draws in real-world situations and by studying in depth what is happening across the world's railways, we prepare our learners for the challenges of the future.

The University of Birmingham is the first higher education institution to offer deliver of Level 7 Degree Apprenticeships to the Rail and Rail Systems Principal Engineer standard. You can find details of this standard on the Institute for Apprenticeships website where the skills, knowledge and behaviours for the standard are outlined.

Degree apprenticeships involve close partnerships between the employer, the apprentice and the University of Birmingham to collect, collate and demonstrate the skills, knowledge and behaviours specified. The University of Birmingham will work with your employer to confirm you achieve all of these, with the educational element provided via studying on the MSc Railway Systems Engineering and Integration.

Why study this course?

• The University of Birmingham has a reputation for high-quality, relevant and challenging railway engineering education towards accredited degrees.
• This programme will support your application for Chartered Engineer status.
• You will study the integrated programme towards MSc in Railway Systems Engineering and Integration or MSc Railway Safety and Control Systems.
• Intensive, week-long blocks of study supplemented by tutorials, team exercises and visits.
• Blended learning that allows you to apply your learning in the workplace immediately and uses work-based experience in your academic study, adding value in both circumstances.
• The induction (primer) course introduces rail and rail systems and study skills to those who may not have recent experience of higher education. It does not bear credit and is usually approximately 2 weeks in duration, taking place in late August/early September each year.
• 60 academic credits are taken each year. Both MSc programmes are accredited, and meet the educational aspects of the degree apprenticeship standard.
• You will be employed in an appropriate role which will provide knowledge, skills and behaviours specified in the apprenticeship standard. Throughout the apprenticeship, you will compile a portfolio of evidence against the apprenticeship requirements, and which guides the discussion during regular tripartite meetings between you, your employer and the University. The portfolio also forms an element of the end point assessment.
• The End Point Assessment (EPA) is an integrated assessment and comprises a work-based research project with a written report, a presentation to a panel of assessors and an occupational competence interview. The University will provide supervision and support for both the project and the preparation towards the EPA alongside employer supervision.