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Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly postgraduate students to get their thoughts on our courses, stunning campus and life in a vibrant and cultural city.
Shape the future of rail safety and control systems around the world. Delve deeper into railway communications and risk management as you prepare to join the next generation of industry leaders.
With a large and diverse railway research and education group, you'll learn from experts and have great links into industry. You'll delve into risk and safety management or railway communications and understand how major projects succeed or fail. Study the fundamentals through to the latest research and industrial applications and get set for an exciting career.
This degree programme is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council, as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly postgraduate students to get their thoughts on our courses, stunning campus and life in a vibrant and cultural city.
Join us on this 1 year full-time advanced course, comprising of lectures, laboratory work, short experimental projects and a research project. The course can also be taken on a part-time basis over two or three years. It is also available as a Degree Apprenticeship over three years.
This term starts with an introductory module Terminology & Communication for Railways (optional for part-time students), before proceeding to Foundations of System Safety Thinking which is taught by the University of York.
Depending on your choice of pathway, you'll take further modules in safety at the University of York and/or a module on the Principles of Railway Control Systems.
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Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of railway systems, exploring their intricate interactions through sponsored projects on a global scale. you'll collaborate directly with industry leads, through our state-of-the-art UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems (CEDS).
Our innovative distance-learning format, equivalent to part-time study over 2-3 years, requires attendance only during designated taught weeks. This flexibility allows you to seamlessly integrate study with your career, making 7-8 visits to Birmingham to complete your degree.
Birmingham is ranked 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 12th amongst UK universities.
Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) is the largest railway-focused research and education group in Europe.
This programme is also available as a fully-funded Level 7 degree apprenticeship for eligible participants.
The course comprises of up to nine modules taught by BCRRE staff and specialists in engineering safety. Teaching is enriched by input from industry practitioners who are experts in their fields. The modules studied will depend on the choice of safety or control pathways.
We have extensive laboratories and facilities both on and off our campus for carrying out research in railway engineering. Facilities include railway system simulators, wind tunnel, electronics laboratories, pantograph testing rig, robotic arms, a railway track foundation rig, plus other equipment. We also have an aerodynamic moving-model testing facility for high-speed trains.
Study each topic in depth and apply your knowledge across the content thanks to this modular programme. You will be encouraged to enrich your classroom learning by taking part in extra-curricular seminars and activities, and join the BCRRE community of staff and students.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
Core modules:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Terminology and Communication for Railways | 0 | N/A |
Advanced Project | 60 | Full Term |
Foundations of System Safety Thinking | 10 | TBC |
Hazard and Risk Assessment | 10 | TBC |
Railway Strategy, Safety and Control Systems | 20 | Semester 1 |
Systems Engineering and Ergonomics | 20 | Semester 2 |
Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Interactions | 10 | Semester 2 |
Control and Communications Pathway: The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Computers and Safety in Critical Systems | 10 | Semester 2 |
Applications of Railway Control Systems | 20 | Semester 2 |
Principles of Railway Control Systems | 20 | Semester 1 |
The following modules must be taken on the Risk and Safety Systems Pathway:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Computers and Safety in Critical Systems | 10 | Semester 2 |
Safety Case Development & Review | 10 | Semester 1 |
System Safety Assessment | 10 |
Students on the Risk and Safety Systems Pathway should choose 20 credits from the following:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Electrification and Traction Systems | 20 | Semester 2 |
Principles of Railway Control Systems | 20 | Semester 1 |
The following modules must be taken on the Risk and Safety Operations and Organisation Pathway:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Human Factors for Safety | 10 | Semester 2 |
Safety Case Development & Review | 10 | Semester 1 |
System Safety Assessment | 10 | TBC |
Students on the Risk and Safety Operations and Organisation pathway should choose 20 credits from the following:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Electrification and Traction Systems | 20 | Semester 2 |
Principles of Railway Control Systems | 20 | Semester 1 |
Staff profile for Dr Bruce Elliott.
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
in a relevant subject (e.g., Engineering, Physics, Economics or Mathematics).
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Full-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
Elevate your career in the safe operation of transport systems, with companies in railways, metros, trams, and automated people movers seeking your expertise. Transport is a safety critical environment, making engineers with a knowledge of safety systems a valuable resource.
The Communication and Control pathway is designed to provide partial/full exemption from the IRSE professional examination for signalling engineers: the PG Cert is designed to exempt candidates from Examination module 1 and the PG Diploma, the full examination.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.