Fire Safety Engineering

The programme is offered by the Fire Safety Engineering Research and Technology Centre (FireSERT), a centre which is internationally recognised for its leading edge research in the fields of fire dynamics, structural fire engineering, human behaviour in fire and fire modelling. The programme draws on the expertise and resources of the Centre in terms of teaching staff (with core teaching staff all actively involved in research) and experimental facilities. Students on the MSc programme have the opportunity to use Fire SERT's state-of-the-art facilities both within the taught programme and to progress experimental research projects which are often designed to complement current research projects being undertaken by staff. Students also have the opportunity to work closely with practitioners in the design module to develop a fire safety strategy for a real complex building.



The PGDip/MSc Fire Safety Engineering is a linked programme of awards. The PGDip is completed in full-time mode over 2 semesters, with students then progressing to MSc and undertaking their Master's Dissertation in the 3rd semester. The MSc therefore is one calendar year. Attendance at class is normally scheduled from 9.15 to 6.15 on Mondays and Tuesdays. From time to time other lectures will be scheduled on other days of the week. You are expected to be in attendance at all scheduled classes and also to spend significant time in independent study (about 400 hours over the duration of each semester).



Professional recognition

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)

MSc - Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.



Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE)

MSc - Accredited by the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.



Energy Institute (EI)

MSc - Accredited by the Energy Institute on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Year one

• Fire Safety Engineering Design 1

• Fire Safety Engineering Design 2

• Heat Transfer and Thermofluids

• Fire Dynamics

• Structural Fire Engineering

• People and Fire

• Fire Engineering Laboratory

• Active Fire Protection Systems

• Research and Dissertation



Year two

Optional Module

• Research and Dissertation (Specialism)

Applicants should:

(a) have gained:

(i) an Honours or non-Honours degree in a related science or engineering discipline from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or



(ii) have gained an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification;



b) hold an A level pass in GCE Mathematics at Grade C or alternatively the applicant's primary degree must have a significant mathematics base to at least A level standard.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

The PGDip is completed in full-time mode over 2 semesters, with students then progressing to MSc and undertaking their Master's Dissertation in the 3rd semester. The MSc therefore is one calendar year.

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

There is strong demand for well educated fire safety engineers, and the majority of students will embark on a career within a fire safety engineering consultancy. Graduates from the Ulster course are also employed in other interesting and diverse careers in fields related to fire safety both in the UK and worldwide e.g. as regulators, fire safety officers in both the public and private sector, researchers in research and testing facilities, and fire brigade officers both in the UK and Europe.



Opportunities also exist within the Fire Safety Engineering Research and Technology centre (FireSERT) for PhD studies in a wide range of fire science and engineering related topics.