Railway Safety and Control Systems Masters/MSc/Diploma/Certificate

This modular programme allows you to study each topic in depth and apply your knowledge across the programme content. You will be encouraged to enrich your classroom learning by taking part in extra-curricular seminars and activities, and to take part in the BCRRE community of staff and students.

For the PG Certificate the core modules (marked*below) are required and compromise 60 academic credits. Completion of 120 credits (all of taught modules) is required for the PG Diploma and all 180 credits for the MSc. Two PG Certificates are available: PG Cert Railway Safety and Control Systems.

Railway Safety and Control Systems (Risk and Safety Pathway) Compulsory modules Credits Taught at LH Terminology and Communication for Railways 0 Birmingham Induction Weekend 0 Birmingham Foundations of System Safety Thinking* 10 York Hazard and Risk Assessment* 10 York System Safety Assessment* 10 York Railway Operations and Control Systems* 10 Birmingham Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Interactions* 10 Birmingham Strategic Business Management for Railways* 10 Birmingham Practical Ergonomics for Railway Systems 10 Birmingham Railway Traction and Electrification Systems 10 Birmingham Research Skills 20 Birmingham Research Project 60 Birmingham/York Risk and Safety Systems Pathway: Systems Engineering for Safety 10 York Computers and Safety in Critical Systems 10 York Risk and Safety Operations and Organisation Pathway: Safety Management Systems 10 York Through Life Safety 10 York

Modules marked* comprise the PG Certificate in Railway Safety and Control Systems

Railway Safety and Control Systems (Communications and Control pathway) Compulsory modules Credits Taught at LH Terminology and Communications 0 Birmingham Induction Weekend 0 Birmingham Foundations of System Safety Thinking* 10 York Hazard and Risk Assessment* 10 York Railway Operations and Control Systems* 10 Birmingham Strategic Business Management for Railways* 10 Birmingham Principles of Railway Control Systems* 20 Birmingham Practical Ergonomics for Railway Systems 10 Birmingham Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Interactions 10 Birmingham Safety Management Systems 10 York Applications of Railway Control Systems 20 Birmingham Systems Engineering and Integration for Dependability 10 Birmingham Research Project 60 Birmingham/York

Modules marked* comprise the PG Certificate in Railway Communication and Control Systems

All modules are taught between late September and late March each year; after which there is a period of exams.

About the introductory Terminology and Communication for Railways course:

This 3-week course will provide broad-based supplementary learning on railway technical vocabulary and specialist communications and is aimed at students with no or limited knowledge or experience of the railway industry. It will familiarise you with the components of the railway system and its terminology and will enhance your technical communication skills. Completion of the introductory course will ensure you are well-prepared for the technical content of this demanding programme and help you gain the most out of your year of study.

Topics covered include railway components and subsystems, railway-specific terminology and concepts of railway safety and risk. This introduction is given context with site visits and group exercises. This course will not count towards the MSc but there will be an informal assessment at the end of the course, which indicates your relative strengths and weaknesses in each of the technical areas and which, in turn, enables tailored tutorial support throughout your study.

Your experience and familiarity with railway systems will be assessed during the application stage. If you possess sufficient knowledge it is possible that you will not need to attend this element of the programme.

Induction Weekend

The Induction Weekend takes place at the very start of the academic year along with students from other BCRRE programmes. It prepares you for the challenge of postgraduate study and provides a team activity, and talks on the railway industry, its legislative and financial background and the structure of today's British and European railway industry.

Applications of Railway Control Systems module (Communications and Control Pathway)

This 20-credit module is a practice-based module and will usually be carried out in an industrial setting. It builds on the theory-based Principles of Railway Control Systems and students will undertake a project to apply railway signalling and control systems relevant to a selected jurisdiction e.g. the UK, Europe or your home country. You will design or work with an existing design, as appropriate to the setting, of a railway signalling and control system. Typical activities will include performing relevant calculations, reflecting on the impact of systems engineering, and applying problem-solving tools and techniques. All projects will include elements of Health & Safety, reliability, availability, maintainability, environmental matters and cost-effectiveness.

If you are studying on the distance-learning mode you will be expected to complete this module in the workplace usually during the summer between the first and second years of study. Full-time students will undertake the module in an intensive block of time after completing the Principles of Railway Control Systems module, and in conjunction with industrial supporters.

European Study Tour

You will have the option to join a study tour for 7-10 days in Europe, experiencing a range of railways and railway systems in a European country. This experience brings application to your learning prior to embarking on your research project. The study tour may attract a nominal additional fee to cover costs.

Individual Research Project

This is completed during the summer period, usually starting in May/June and submitting the dissertation in August. For part-time and distance-learning study, the project often takes place in your workplace.

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.