This course comprises taught and research elements. You will take the three-week Terminology and Communication for Railways course from late August, followed by eight assessed taught modules and two assignment based modules during the Autumn and Spring semesters. Over the summer you carry out your research project to complete the MSc.

If you have sufficient railway industry experience, attendance at the three-week introductory course may not be required. Please contact us to discuss.

Terminology and Communication for Railways – non credit bearing (see below for details)

Strategic Management of Railway Operations – 10 credits (compulsory for PGCert)
Railway Rolling Stock Systems Design – 10 credits
Railway Traction Systems Design – 10 credits
Systems Engineering & Integration for Dependability – 10 credits
Railway Infrastructure and Track Systems – 10 credits
Train Control Systems Engineering – 10 credits
Railway Economics and Technology Management – 10 credits
Ergonomics and Human Factors for Railways – 10 credits
Railway Systems Synthesis coursework based modules – 2 x 20 credits (one module is compulsory for PGCert)
Individual research project – 60 credits

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. 

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.