Introduction
This programme provides a thorough understanding of the concepts and tools of safety engineering, reliability engineering and loss prevention.
This programme has January and September start dates. Apply Now.
The MSc Safety and Reliability Engineering is also available to study part time online.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
The MSc Safety and Reliability Engineering provides advanced education and training for graduate engineers in the areas of safety engineering, reliability engineering, and loss prevention.
There is a high demand for engineers with specialist knowledge in these areas across many industry sectors including oil and gas, nuclear, defence, transport, aerospace, manufacturing and process industries because of the legal requirements to assess and control industrial risks to people and the environment and also because of the need to create high integrity engineering systems in many industries.
Safety engineering is not a subject which is adequately covered in most undergraduate degrees, so this MSc programme brings together those topics relating to the safety and reliability of engineering products and systems, including the legislative framework, in a unified approach.
You will learn the fundamentals of safety engineering including natural and man-made hazards, safety measures, accident and failure statistics, risk management and risk assessment techniques while also developing your communication, leadership and teamwork skills through a series of tutorials, coursework, technical reports, presentations and group projects.
The School of Engineering is a world-class centre for research and teaching in safety and reliability engineering teaching and research. You will be taught by staff from the School of Engineering as well as industrially-based safety and reliability specialists.
The MSc Safety and Reliability Engineering is accredited by The Energy Institute, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
What You'll Study
- Stage 1
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Compulsory Courses
- Safety & Risk Management (EG50S2)
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15 Credit Points
The course serves as the entrance to the field of safety and reliability engineering with the introduction of the basic concepts and tools of safety and risk management. Legal frames related to engineering safety are also introduced.
Contents include: Fundamentals of safety engineering; natural and man-made hazards; safety measures; accident and failure statistics; fundamentals of risk management; risk assessment techniques; classical reliability theory; modelling of engineering systems as series and parallel systems; redundancy; fault trees and event trees; availability and maintainability; UK safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act and its historical, offshore and other regulations.
- Statistics and Probability for Safety, Reliability and Quality (EG5060)
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15 Credit Points
The aim of this course is to get an understanding of applied probability and statistics. Students will be able to handle variables of a random nature, deal with parameters of different distributions and data of scattering nature.
- Fire and Explosion Engineering (EG5071)
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15 Credit Points
Hydrocarbon fires and explosions produce extreme loading on engineering components. Structural steels lose their strength and stiffness well below the temperatures associated with hydrocarbon fires. Safety-critical elements must be designed to withstand both these temperatures and the blast overpressures that result from hydrocarbon explosions. Simple models are used to assess the loading that results from fires and explosions. Structural elements are analysed to illustrate the design procedures that are required to prevent escalation and to design against major accident scenarios.
- Offshore Structural Integrity (EG503M)
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15 Credit Points
This course provides a detailed understanding of design considerations for components to be used in offshore environments, especially in terms of materials selection, qualification, standards and testing. Reasons for failure and the application of failure analysis in design will be studied. The course will be focussed on offshore steel structures relating to traditional energy applications; however, the fundamental knowledge gained can also be applied to structural integrity assessments in other marine applications including ships, submarines and offshore renewables.This course provides a detailed understanding of design considerations for components to be used in offshore environments, especially in terms of materials selection, qualification, standards and testing. Reasons for failure and the application of failure analysis in design will be studied. The course will be focussed on offshore steel structures relating to traditional energy applications; however, the fundamental knowledge gained can also be applied to structural integrity assessments in other marine applications including ships, submarines and offshore renewables.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Stage 2
-
Compulsory Courses
- Advanced Methods for Risk and Reliability Assessment (EG5511)
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15 Credit Points
The aim of this course is to understand and be able to carry out probabilistic modelling of uncertainty in engineering components and systems. Students will be able to obtain a good knowledge and understanding on random variables in probabilistic analysis and be able to carry out approximation and numerical schemes on components and systems.
- Applied Risk Analysis and Management (EG5558)
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15 Credit Points
Risk assessment, the common tools used for (and the legal requirement associated with) risk assessment are covered. Students will have a thorough understanding on the components of good assessment and management of risks, and be familiar with the basic requirement for HAZID, HAZOP, SIL, QRA and the Safety Case.
- Process Design, Layout & Materials (EG55P8)
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15 Credit Points
Candidates will develop PIDs for major systems applying LOPA and including instrumentation. Inherently safe equipment layout principles for both onshore and offshore applications are addressed. Layouts will be developed for example applications.
The safety critical systems are reviewed and discussed.
Corrosion mechanisms are addressed together with materials for construction properties. Basic corrosion models are presented for a wide range of fluids. The operational modes which present most demand on materials are reviewed. Corrosion in erosive environments is addressed. Effects of temperature deviations in fire & blowdown are illustrated and analysed. Case studies are used to illustrate common issues.
- Human Factors Engineering (EG55P9)
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15 Credit Points
Human Factors Engineering (HFE) relates to how people interact with engineering systems. Failures in these areas are involved in all major incidents. Candidates explore them as part of this course. First, a review of major accidents will be undertaken to identify how equipment design, individual behaviours, and organisational behaviours contributed. Equipment/system design and the effect it has on individuals' behaviours is explored. Human Error is addressed. Finally, organisational behaviours will be examined. Leading and Lagging indicators are explored and their strengths/weaknesses considered. Candidates have the opportunity to complete practical assessments led by industry practitioners with specialist expertise in HFE.
- Stage 3
-
Compulsory Courses
This project puts emphasis on independent learning, originality, creativity, intellectual contribution, and effective project management, giving a deeper insight into particular safety and reliability.
- MSc Individual Project (EG59F1)
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60 Credit Points
The MSc Individual Project is an independent piece of research based on a topic related to a student’s degree programme. Students are encouraged to focus on a problem confronting industry or a related area. The individual project provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate how the in-depth skills and knowledge they have gained during the taught courses can be used to provide solutions to practical problems. The individual project should contain a degree of original research.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £26,250 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| UK | £11,100 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year |
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Continuous assessment and/or written assignment
Why Study Safety and Reliability Engineering?
- Each year the programme includes a number of guest lectures from industry figures. Recently we have had lectures from BP, Centrica and Xodus.
- Students of this programme will also get the opportunity to visit companies and view their facilities. Recent visits have included Oceaneering and Kongsberg Maritime.
- You will have the opportunity to undertake an industry-based project with one of our many companies we work with. Recent examples have included Shell, BP, Chevron and WorleyParsons.
- The programme is flexible to suit the range of needs of our students and is available on both a full and part-time basis, and also by part-time online learning.
- As well as the key technological, operational and engineering elements, crucial human factors are also taught in relation to safety on the programme.
- The MSc Safety & Reliability Engineering programme draws together students from all over the world, making the learning experience a truly international affair and providing world-wide recognition of the programme.
- To ensure that the degree programmes remain current and connected to industry, the programme is developed and reviewed by an Industry Advisory Board, made up of experienced professionals from a range of backgrounds.
- We deliver industry supportive and responsive research in a number of key oil and gas and wider energy areas.
- Our engineering programmes attract students from around the world, all sharing a common interest and passion for the future of oil and gas exploration and production, and the engineering skills required to make it a continued success.
- You will be taught by, and engage with a truly international team of engineering staff. Collectively, they bring an incredible level of industrial experience and academic expertise from working on major projects around the world.
- You will have networking opportunities by attending local events of the professional engineering institutes and conferences.
- You are encouraged to develop your own ideas for dissertations and to approach industry for collaboration. This will also help you to plan your project effectively and present it within the business environment.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
- 2:1 (upper second class) UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth in any branch of Engineering, Mathematics or Physics.
- Those with a 2:2 Honours degree in Engineering may also be considered if they can demonstrate 2+ years of relevant experience.
- Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics and Mechanical subjects such as stress analysis, strength of materials and thermodynamics.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.
- More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen
- More information on the Careers and Employability Service
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
- The Energy Institute
- The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology
- Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX