Safety and Risk Management

Entry requirements

Applicants to the MSc programme will normally:

• Have a good undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2 honours or equivalent) in engineering or a relevant science discipline, or
• Demonstrate equivalent academic ability based on industrial experience or membership of a professional institution.

Heriot-Watt Online students must first take exams in two courses of the programme, Human Factors Methods and Learning from Disasters. Based on the results for these entry courses students will continue on the programme at MSc or at PG Diploma level.

Students will additionally have access to the short course 'Introduction to Digital Study and Academic Skills', to prepare for postgraduate study.

Months of entry

January, May, September

Course content

Public awareness of hazards and risks has enhanced the importance of safety assessment and management in today’s increasingly litigious society. Risk and safety issues need to be evaluated in a structured and calculated manner but in the light of an overall organisational strategy.

This course aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of risk assessment techniques, the public and individual perception of risk, and how decisions are made in competitive business markets. The course focuses on practical applications of safety methodologies, ergonomics and human factors, and safety and risk management techniques. It will develop students’ skills to undertake safety studies and manage safety and risk to the best national and international standards.

Online learning

This course can be studied via Online Learning, ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around work or family. It can also be studied on-campus full-time or part-time.

Information for international students

Applicants will need a good English Language ability to succeed in their programme. Those for whom English is not their first language should have:

• Achieved a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent and
• Or have successfully completed courses (of 1 year or more in duration) delivered in English.