Railway Systems Engineering and Integration (Taught)

Lead the next generation of industry talent with Railway Systems Engineering and Integration at Birmingham. You'll consider the broader aspect of railway systems and learn how they interact on a global scale.

With a large and diverse railway research and education group, you'll receive insight from experts with great links into industry. You will develop your ability to work in multi-disciplinary project teams on a course strongly supported by railway practitioners.

Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of railway systems, exploring their interactions through sponsored projects on a global scale. You'll collaborate directly with industry leads, in 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.

Study flexibly with our distance-learning study mode
Benefit from our cutting-edge research centre and facilities
Work on worldwide sponsored projects
Learn through a multi-disciplinary approach to develop an all-round level of knowledge
We’re Europe’s largest and most diverse railway research and education group with extensive links into industry. You'll learn about rail and rail systems from the fundamentals through to the latest research and industrial applications.

This programme provides the knowledge, knowhow and skills required to design and manage successfully the highly specialised subsystems and complex interfaces that characterise existing and new railways.

The programme has a strong focus on developing your railway engineering knowledge, system integration skills and your ability to work in focused project teams. This course comprises taught and research elements.

The programme starts with the Terminology and Communication for Railways primer course, at the start of September. You then complete six taught modules during the Autumn and Spring semesters and carry out your research project over the summer to complete the MSc.

Introductory modules:
Terminology and Communication for Railway (primer course)
Welcome Week
Laboratory Weeks
Study Tour

Core modules:
Advanced project – 60 credits
Business and People Management - 20 credits
Electrification and Traction System – 20 credits
Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Systems – 20 credits
Railway Control and Digital Systems – 20 credits
Railway Operations, Management and Planning – 20 credits
Systems Engineering and Ergonomics – 20 credits

Each taught module takes place over an intensive week-long block and comprises classroom lectures, tutorials, team exercises, visits and assignments to embed and draw each element of the subject together.