Railway Safety and Control Systems Masters

Program Overview

Delivered by experts in the field, the program prepares graduates for careers in the safe operation of transport systems, particularly in train communications and control. The flexible distance-learning format allows students to combine work and study, with intensive week-long blocks and a European study tour enhancing the learning experience. The program is accredited by the JBM and provides opportunities for career advancement in the rail industry.

Program Outline

The program aims to develop the next generation of industry leaders by providing in-depth knowledge and education in risk/safety management, railway communications, and the digital railway. The program focuses on three key areas:

• Risk and safety systems design: This area emphasizes systems engineering and safety in critical systems, focusing on the design of new safety systems.
• Risk and safety systems operation and organization: This area emphasizes management and safety throughout the system's lifecycle, targeting engineers and managers responsible for the safe operation of railway systems.
• Railway communications and control (including signaling): This area focuses on theory and practice in railway control systems, including signaling.
Completion of this pathway to PG Diploma or MSc level provides exemption from the Institution of Railway Signaling Engineers' (IRSE's) examination for Professional Railway Signaling Engineer recognition. The York modules focus on risk and safety management, while the Birmingham portion focuses on railway systems communications and control, and the application of risk management principles.

Outline:

The program is modular, allowing students to study each topic in depth and apply their knowledge across the program content. Students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular seminars and activities and engage with the BCRRE community of staff and students.

• Introductory Modules:
• Terminology and Communication for Railways (primer course)
• Study Tour
• Welcome week
• Core Modules:
• Advanced Project - 60 credits
• Foundations of System Safety Thinking - 10 credits
• Hazard and Risk Assessment - 10 credits
• Railway Strategy, Safety and Control Systems - 20 credits
• Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Interactions - 10 credits
• Systems Engineering and Ergonomics - 20 credits
• Pathways:
• P1 - Risk and Safety Systems Pathway:
• Core Modules:
• System Safety Assessment - 10 credits
• Systems Engineering for Safety - 10 credits
• Computers and Safety - 10 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Electrification and Traction Systems - 20 credits
• Principles of Railway Control Systems - 20 credits
• P2 - Risk and Safety Operations and Organisation Pathway:
• Core Modules:
• System Safety Assessment - 10 credits
• Safety Management Systems - 10 credits
• Through Life Safety - 10 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Principles of Railway Control Systems - 20 credits
• Electrification and Traction Systems - 20 credits
• P3 - Communications and Control Pathway:
• Core Modules:
• Applications of Railway Control Systems - 20 credits
• Principles of Railway Control Systems - 20 credits
• Safety Management Systems - 10 credits
Teaching methods include:
• Classroom lectures
• Tutorials
• Team exercises
• Visits
• Assignments
The program also features seminars and talks by industry professionals, providing networking opportunities.

Careers:

The Railway Safety and Control Systems program prepares graduates for careers in the safe operation of transport systems. Graduates are employed by companies including mainline railways, metros, tram systems, and automated people movers. The program's focus on the Digital Railway and its Communication and Control pathway makes graduates highly sought-after in the field of train communications and control. The Communication and Control pathway is designed to provide partial/full exemption from the IRSE professional examination for signaling engineers.

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
• The original pathways of the program were sponsored by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
• The program offers a fully-funded Level 7 degree apprenticeship for eligible participants.
• The program is available for both UK and International students.
• The program is delivered in a distance-learning mode, allowing students to combine work with study.
• The program is delivered in intensive week-long blocks, with travel and accommodation in York arranged for students.
• The program includes a several-day European study tour.
• The program is delivered in a state-of-the-art new School of Engineering building at Birmingham, which includes 160 drop-in study spaces and 20 flexi bays.
• The program is delivered in the £16.4M UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems (CEDS) facility.
• The program provides opportunities to work on sponsored projects and network globally.

UK students MSc full-time £17,640 PG Diploma full-time £11,760 PG Certificate full-time £5,880 International students MSc full-time £29,340 PG Diploma full-time £19,560 PG Certificate full-time £9,780 Distance Learning (part-time) UK students MSc - £8,820 UK students PG Diploma - £5,880 UK students PG Cert - £2,940 International students MSc - £14,670 International students PG Diploma - £9,780 International students PG Cert - £9,780