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Fire Safety Engineer (Apprenticeship) - BEng (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry.

The Fire Safety Bill introduced March 2020, identified 1.6 million buildings that require inspection on a regular basis. Significantly, whilst the number of fires decreases, the level of severity of those that occur is increasing. This is of concern and means that deeper understanding of why this is and, of course, how this can be avoided is critical....

  • Level Apprenticeship
  • Study mode Blended Learning
  • Location City Centre
  • Award BEng (Hons)
  • Start date January 2025
  • School School of Engineering and the Built Environment
  • Faculty Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment

This course is:

Overview

The Fire Safety Bill introduced March 2020, identified 1.6 million buildings that require inspection on a regular basis. Significantly, whilst the number of fires decreases, the level of severity of those that occur is increasing. This is of concern and means that deeper understanding of why this is and, of course, how this can be avoided is critical.

Ongoing updates from government publications continue to show the need for professionally accredited engineers which the proposed Fire Safety Apprenticeship will address.

This degree apprenticeship is fully informed and supported by industry practice and recognised research in design and delivery of modules by experienced staff who have extensive industry experience.

The curriculum is practice led and cultivates problem solving skills, improving communication through effective real-life project work, work experience, and cases. Team working on real life scenarios develop professional competence and prepares you for further employment opportunities and career development.

This degree apprenticeship has been developed to provide you with a good knowledge of a range of engineering principles. It will prepare you for the rapidly developing field of fire safety engineering and its supporting operational systems. Upon your completion you will have the intellectual, creative and personal qualities necessary for undertaking a leadership role and a depth of knowledge that will enable the application of new and emerging technologies to the solution of fire safety problems.

The degree apprenticeship in fire safety engineering will develop you as a skilled engineer capable of undertaking fire safety engineering tasks within and across organisations. The apprenticeship focuses on the importance of sustainable futures and the Government's STEM agenda, in order to give you the knowledge and attributes you will need to thrive in this ever-changing industry.

You'll work on industry-standard analytical tools, develop your design skills, as well as exploring a wide range of facilities, such as our burning house simulation.

This apprenticeship focuses on project-based activities, giving you lots of opportunity to work in teams on projects from design to implementation. This will enhance your practical experience of applying engineering science to real world problems, working in multidisciplinary teams to develop your interpersonal skills, and prepare you for a key aspect of modern engineering practice. Problem solving and project management are key skills for an engineer, and our focus on practical experience will help to improve your skills in these highly sought-after areas.

During your studies, you will use the latest tools and technologies, developing new skills at an advanced level. The apprenticeship will encourage your creative thinking and develop your engineering leadership skills. Building on a foundation of the generic skills required by tomorrow’s engineers, you will also explore the wider context of engineering, as well as the application of advanced engineering principles to solve problems through research and development.

You’ll engage in independent study and systematic enquiry at an advanced level and take responsibility for the conclusions drawn from it. You will have lots of opportunity to apply industry-standard modelling and simulation techniques to the analysis, specification and design of mechanical engineering systems so that you are able to apply your knowledge and theory to a practical situation.

Entry Requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.

Essential

112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level

Level 2 qualifications

GCSE

  • GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above
  • Equivalent level 2 qualifications can be accepted
  • Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment

Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level)

  • See level 3 entry under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details

Scottish Intermediate 2

  • English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above
  • Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment

Scottish Credit Standard Grade

  • English Language and Mathematics at grade 2 or above
  • Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment

Scottish National 5

  • English language and mathematics at grade C or above
  • Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment
Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications

A level and Advanced VCE

  • BBC / 112 UCAS points
  • Must include A-level mathematics at grade C or above
  • A maximum of 3 subjects are considered. These can be other A-levels or level 3 equivalents.

Access to HE Diploma

  • 60 credits overall. Minimum of 45 credits at level 3. Including 12 credits at Merit or Distinction with 9 in Mathematics and 3 in Science. The Access course must be in Engineering
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma
    (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
    (2010 - 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
    (2002 – 2010)
  • DMM
  • Must be in Engineering
  • A minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus unit is required
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
    (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
    (2010 – 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Certificate
    (2002 – 2010)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above
  • Pearson BTEC National Foundation Diploma (2016 to present)
  • Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
    (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
    (2010 - 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Award
    (2002 - 2010)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component

  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall and pass one of the following subjects from Group 4 at Higher Level
  • For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above grade 5 in Maths (Standard Level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted
  • For students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at Grade C/4 or above Standard Level English Language (not literature) English A - Grade 4 or above or English B - Grade 5 from the IB will be accepted.
Other qualifications

If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS.

Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website.

Additional Requirements

As part of the application process you will be invited to attend an applicant visit day where you will undertake a short one-to-one interview with an academic member of staff. This is your chance to show us how passionate you are about the subject and it will help us make a decision on your application.

This will provide you with more information about the School and your course. In addition, it will give you a chance to meet and our staff and students to gain a better understanding of what it is like to be a student here.

What is a degree apprenticeship?

Higher and degree apprenticeships are an exciting new way to gain a recognised qualification while working full-time and gaining experience in the workplace. These courses are a high-quality alternative to a traditional university degree, combining a university education with workplace experience.

Degree Apprenticeships 

See details of the relevant Apprenticeship standard.

Apprenticeship Course Requirements

Level 4

In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Module NameCredit Value
Engineering Principles 1                                                                            20
Engineering Practice 20
Mathematical Modelling 1 20
Integrated Digital Design - Residential 20
Introduction to Fire Safety and Accidents 20
Fire Science and Risk Management 20

Level 5

In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Module NameCredit Value
Fire Dynamics 20
Civil Engineering 20
Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Method 20
Project Management 20
Fire and the Built Environment 20
Health and Safety/Fire Law 20

Level 6

In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Module NameCredit Value
Structural Fire Engineering                                                                    20
Fire Safety Management 20
Fire Design Project 20
Fire Thermodynamics 20
Individual Honours Project 40
This course is not open to International students.

Apply through the employer

The first step is to apply directly to an employer who is advertising an apprenticeship position. Opportunities are advertised throughout the year on the Government’s apprenticeships database.

In order to apply for a degree apprenticeship with us, you must secure an apprenticeship job with an employer first. Once you have done this, your employer will send you to study with us.

If you are successful at securing an apprenticeship position, your employer will contact us and we will then invite you to apply for the course.

If you are an employer and interested in enrolling an employee on to this apprenticeship then please email CEBEapprenticeships@bcu.ac.uk for more information.

Apply through the employer

Facilities & Staff

Engineering bays
Engineering-facilities
Engineering-facilities
Engineering-Workshop-Facilities

Our Facilities

The Department of Engineering provides the perfect setting for practical work with modern-day teaching and learning facilities. We pride ourselves on equipping our students with the skill set that they need not only working on industry standard equipment, but having industrial links, which set them up perfectly for a career in engineering.

We are currently undertaking a £400 million investment programme in our facilities, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus. As part of this, our facilities in Millennium Point have undergone a £6.5 million investment to include a new maker area, engineering labs and equipment.

We have invested in industry-standard facilities to support the practice-based elements of our Engineering courses and give students as much practical learning as possible, to prepare for industry placements and job opportunities after graduation. Students have access to our facilities during classes, and can book out of class sessions with our specialist technicians. 

We are a partner of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) and have secured £1.1 million of government funding for investment in brand-new equipment and facilities. Funding of £808,000 from the Department for Education has supported our development of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Test Rig, an Additive Manufacturing Machine (3D printer) and a material testing-split zone furnace.

The IoT has enabled procurement of new technologies for material testing, electronics prototyping and production and 3D scanning to compliment computer aided design for manufacture

Engineering facilities