Short courses in systems safety engineering

Each course provides a comprehensive grounding in the principles of systems safety engineering, which are put into context using real-world examples from our extensive collaboration with industry in the UK and worldwide.

Our learning materials are well respected by systems safety engineering professionals. We have provided training for delegates from a wide range of industries, including automotive and railway, civil aerospace, nuclear, marine, energy and medical sectors.

We provide:

• A thorough grounding and practical experience in the use of state-of-the-art techniques for design and development, verification and validation of safety critical systems, with an emphasis on the software used in such systems;
• An understanding of the principles behind these techniques, so that they can make sound judgements during the design and deployment of such a system;
• A flexible course structure which is suitable both for full-time and part-time students and for industrial clients who wish to attend a short, intensive course on a particular aspect of safety critical system technology.

Booking

You can book courses through the booking links on individual course pages.

Before you make your booking, please ensure that you have read our terms and conditions.

Upcoming courses

*Students enrolled on the MSc/PGDip/PGCert SCSE may have different FSSE teaching dates. For more information, please contact cs-safety-courses@york.ac.uk.

Teaching and learning

Modules are taught in a blended format.

Course teaching consists of three days of face-to-face sessions on campus at the University of York, taking place from Tuesday to Thursday of the teaching week. Students will also be provided with self-study materials totalling 10 to 15 hours of study time. These materials will comprise of pre-sessional work to be completed before the on-campus sessions in York, and materials to be studied afterwards.

Following the taught element, students have an opportunity to complete an assessment(s). The assessment is compulsory for students who require the module to be credited towards a degree award.

Learning outcomes

We aim to equip students with knowledge, understanding and practical application of the essential components of safety critical systems engineering.

We focus on the understanding of the principles behind these techniques so that professionals can make sound engineering judgements during the design and deployment of safety systems, particularly where software is involved.

Assessment

Following the taught element of each course, there is an optional assessment which is undertaken over a five week period.

Each assessment takes approximately 65 hours in addition to the scheduled teaching time: we estimate that students should spend 30 hours undertaking private study, plus 35 hours writing up the assessment.

Progression to postgraduate awards

If you take and pass the assessment of one of these short courses, it can count towards the following postgraduate awards, subject to eligibility criteria. 

• Safety Critical Systems Engineering (MSc)
• Safety Critical Systems Engineering (PGDip)
• Safety Critical Systems Engineering (PGCert)

If you continue your studies with us, you may also qualify to apply part of your short course fees toward your degree tuition. For for eligibility details, please read our terms and conditions.

Fees

For courses in the 2026/27 academic year (starting September 2026), the fee for each short course is £2,250.

Course fees include all relevant course materials, tuition and assessments, and are payable in advance. For short courses where teaching takes place on campus in York, you must organise and pay for your own accommodation and travel. These costs are not included in the course fee.