Structural and Fire Safety Engineering BEng (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Engineering Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code HH21 Award BEng (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location King's Buildings campus Start date September 2026 School School of Engineering College College of Science and Engineering Study abroad Available Accreditation Available Placement No Second year entry Available Open days and events Overview About the degree programme Fire safety strongly influences the built environments we inhabit and impacts our lives in many diverse ways. Traditional approaches are based mainly on experience, however, the building industry is constantly innovating in pursuit of efficiency.It is the role of the fire safety engineer to anticipate, understand and react to these innovations, proposing solutions based on sound engineering principles.The subject is fundamentally multi-disciplinary in nature and the engineer must seek to balance the complex and often conflicting demands of clients, architects, the fire authorities and regulators.A fire safety engineer therefore needs to be equipped with essential knowledge of fire phenomena, and an understanding of how people, structures, and fire safety systems respond to fire. Programme aimsThrough this degree programme you will build on many of the fundamental concepts of civil and environmental engineering, applying your scientific knowledge in the design of infrastructure that properly addresses fire hazards.Ties to industryWe have strong industrial engagement through our Industrial Advisory Board and industrial input to our teaching, including our design projects.You will also have opportunities to interact with recent graduates who are now working in industry. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme takes 4 years to complete.A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme in Year 1.Second year entry Our course structure is designed in such a way that we permit Year 2 direct entry. You will receive support and resources to allow you to catch-up with relevant Year 1 material. If you are eligible for a direct entry into the second year, this programme takes 3 years to complete.(Revised 12 March 2025 to add in second year entry information) Programme rankings Consistently ranked in the UK's top 10 universities for engineering (THE Rankings by subject 2024 and QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). Programme benefits Make use of an enviable suite of facilities including specialist laboratories, a student makerspace and cutting-edge industry-standard equipment.Our unique programmes give you a broad and detailed understanding of civil and environmental engineering, setting you up to work in any field you choose after graduation.You will benefit from field trips, design-led and team-oriented teaching approaches, and strong engagement with industry which informs our teaching. Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.Select the qualification you are studying or studied. Where you are studying or where you studied United KingdomAfghanistanAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBhutanBoliviaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanYemenZambiaZimbabweMy country is not listed Qualification - Select a qualification -SQA Highers: standard requirementsSQA Highers: widening access requirementsA levels: standard requirementsA levels: widening access requirementsIB: standard requirementsIB: widening access requirementsOther UK qualificationsMature applicants (including adult returners)International qualifications by country United Kingdom, Fees and funding Tuition fees for BEng (Hons) Structural and Fire Safety Engineering View the tuition fees for one academic year of BEng (Hons) Structural and Fire Safety Engineering. Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.This estimate covers the costs of:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee a breakdown of living costs Scholarships and funding Funding information You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section. Funding Programme details What you will study Curriculum renewalThe School of Engineering is currently undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to this degree programme.The renewal is being carried out with:our industrial partnersaccreditation bodiesstudentsThis renewal makes sure we equip you for an exciting career in the ever-changing world of engineering. Year 1 In Year 1, you will take introductory courses to develop the skills which you will need to succeed at the interface of fire and structural engineering.You will:develop your critical thinking, teamworking, and problem-solving skills in interdisciplinary engineering design taskslearn the fundamental mathematics that underpins engineering science and designchoose option courses to broaden your academic horizons from across the University Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 2 In Year 2, you will study fire science and take courses across the breadth of civil and environmental engineering to prepare you to take more specialised courses in later years. We will introduce you to topics such as:structural, soil, and fluid mechanicsfire safety engineeringengineering materials and geologyenvironmental engineering and sustainabilityengineering mathematicsland surveying Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 In Year 3, you will start your honours programme and encounter more specialist courses covering topics in:fire safety engineeringconceptual design and sustainabilitywater treatment and water transportgeotechnical engineeringstructural analysistransport systems engineeringengineering constructionThese courses will give you the knowledge needed to understand the essential link between civil engineering and fire safety engineering in the later years of the programme.Progression routesAt the end of Year 3, you will have the option to complete one more year for a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree, or a further two years for a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree.The latter is subject to you achieving an average of 55% or higher in Year 3. Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 You will take a mix of courses, covering civil engineering knowledge on topics such as:fire science and engineeringstructural designengineering design projectsYou will complete a research project and submit your research thesis (or dissertation).You will complete a thorough review of the engineering context and provide a unique solution through experimental, numerical, or analytical means, working with supervisors who are world-leaders in their research fields. Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Study abroad In Year 3, you will have opportunities to study abroad.The University has a variety of agreements with international institutions that allow you to study there in Year 3. Common destinations include:USA CanadaAustraliaEuropeAsiaWhat are my choices for going abroad?This is enhanced by subject-specific agreements which provide additional destinations.Where can I go?(Revised 12 March 2025 to update study abroad information) Teaching and assessment Teaching The exciting nature of engineering means you will have a diverse learning experience throughout your degree programme.We will teach you through a combination of:interactive lectures and seminarshands-on laboratory activitiesindividual and group design projectsIn your final years, you will undertake research projects with individual supervision advancing the frontiers of engineering knowledge. Assessment You will be assessed through coursework and examinations.For detailed information on compulsory and option courses you should review the Programme Structure - Degree Programme Table. You can find links to this information under the individual years of study.Refer to individual course details to see the types of assessment included. Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.Support for your studies Our academic staff You will be taught by leaders in their engineering fields whose knowledge is actively sought out by industry and government internationally.Our research directly informs what you study. You will learn from academics who are researching solutions to the world’s grand challenges and delivering critical societal, economic and environmental outcomes. Where you will study Study location The majority of your learning will take place at the King’s Buildings campus, depending on courses selected.The King’s Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh by bus or bike.You may also study at various University campus locations in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, depending on the option courses selected. Academic facilities At the King's Buildings campus, you will have access to a wide range of practical facilities including:the Rushbrook Fire Lablaboratories for large structures and materialsIn addition, you can access a wide range of academic facilities, including:librariesstudy spaces (some spaces are open 24 hours)IT facilitiessocial spacesleisure facilitiesYou can also take advantage of the University’s computing resources. This includes a laptop loan service offered through the library, with extended loans available for those in financial hardship.Borrowing a laptopAll essential reading materials are freely accessible through the University library or on our online learning platform LEARN. Virtual tour You can take a closer look at the School of Engineering and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.Virtual visit - School of Engineering Career paths and further study Accreditation BEng Structural and Fire Safety Engineering fully meets the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. It is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), on behalf of the Engineering Council, comprising the:Institution of Civil EngineersInstitution of Structural EngineersInstitute of Highway EngineersChartered Institution of Highways and TransportationPermanent Way InstitutionCandidates must hold a masters or doctorate accredited as further learning for Chartered Engineers (CEng) to hold accredited qualifications for the CEng registration. Career paths Studying engineering at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a career as a professional engineer in the UK or abroad.All our programmes meet the requirements of the UK's professional engineering bodies.On graduating from this programme, you will have:fundamental engineering knowledgepractical, communication, and design skillsdeeper knowledge of fire safety engineeringThis enables you to join a design, production or research team, or to move rapidly into management and leadership roles.On the other hand, many of our graduates go on to work in other areas, including:the civil serviceeducationthe emergency services or the armed forcesthe financial sectorInternshipsThe School of Engineering funds a number of internships each year to enable students to work on research or teaching focused projects over the summer and gain relevant work experience here in the School. Internships are allocated on a competitive basis, across each of the four disciplines: Chemical, Civil, Electronics & Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Applications are open to non-finalist undergraduate students who are at least in the second year of their programme.We support you in developing graduate skills through our Edinburgh Award for civil and environmental engineering industrial internships. After completion, this will be recognised on your academic transcript.Edinburgh Award(Revised 12 March 2025 to update internships information) Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.With the Careers Service, you can:access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisionsVisit the Careers Service website Further study After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:a masters degreea postgraduate diploma or certificatea PhDa second undergraduate degreeFind out about options for further study Applying How to apply You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.Guidance on applying through UCAS What you need to apply As part of your application, you will need:your academic qualificationsa personal statementevidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)a reference How we select If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.How we select applicants When to apply 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.Search degrees that are open on the UCAS websiteKey application dates and deadlines After you apply After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at university Applying as an international student As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS. Find out more about applying through UCAS Visas and immigration If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme. Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. Applying for a visa Agents An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact. Find contact details for an education agent Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.University accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our vibrant student-led Civil Engineering Society (CivSoc) connects students with a wide range of social, industrial, and academic networks and activities.Additionally, you can gain practical experience through design projects run with our industrial partners, internships, and placements, or by joining our student-led projects such as:Engineering for Change (sustainability)Edinburgh University Formula Student (automotive technology)HYPED (Hyperloop)Endeavour (rocketry)Asteria (space and satellites)HumanEd (robotics)Precious Plastics (recycling)Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSports clubs The city of Edinburgh Edinburgh is regularly voted among the UK’s top student cities (top 2 in the UK, QS 2024).Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies - a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.Find out more about living in EdinburghOur communityThe School of Engineering fosters a vibrant and inclusive community for all its members. Our students, from diverse backgrounds, come together to collaborate on innovative projects, and participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities. The supportive environment encourages personal and academic growth, with numerous opportunities for community-building and networking. Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities to daily life, including: sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include:a student counselling servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
