Fire Safety Engineer (Apprenticeship) - BEng (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry. Switch to 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 2024
- 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.
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.
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 Name | Credit 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 Name | Credit 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 Name | Credit Value |
|---|---|
| Structural Fire Engineering | 20 |
| Fire Safety Management | 20 |
| Fire Design Project | 20 |
| Fire Thermodynamics | 20 |
| Individual Honours Project | 40 |
Apply through the employer
The closing date for receipt of completed paperwork and nominations from employers was 30 September 2023 for the January 2024 cohort. To apply for the January 2025 cohort, you would need to make contact with CEBEApprenticeships@bcu.ac.uk in early summer 2024.
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.
Facilities & Staff
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 £340 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