Structural and Fire Safety Engineering (BEng)

Introducing BEng Structural and Fire Safety Engineering

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.

The 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.

Through this degree 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.

Why Edinburgh?

You will be taught by leaders in their Engineering fields whose knowledge is actively sought out by industry and government internationally.

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.

Our university boasts world-leading facilities, creating the perfect atmosphere in which to learn.

Our thriving student-led civil engineering society (CivSoc) connects students with social, industrial and academic networks and activities, while our student-led engineering societies lead the country in:

• hyperloop technology
• rocketry and satellite design
• electric vehicle innovation
• and much more

You will be supported to gain recognition for undertaking an Industrial Internship via the Edinburgh Award.

Edinburgh Award

Ties to industry

We 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.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB by end of S6.* BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (*Revised 12 March 2024 to lower entry requirements from "AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6".)
• A Levels: ABB - BBB in one set of exams.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL - 32 points with 555 at HL

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6.* BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (*Revised 13 March 2024 to lower entry requirements from "AABB by end of S6".)
• A Levels: BBB.
• IB: 32 points with 555 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Engineering Science at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: Physics or Engineering Science at B and English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science/Computing, Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology) or Engineering at B. GCSEs: Physics or Science at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Design Technology at 5. SL: Physics at 5 (if not at HL) and English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies..

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

Studying engineering at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a career as a professional engineer in the UK or abroad.

All our courses meet the requirements of the UK's professional engineering bodies.

On graduating from this programme, you will have:

• fundamental engineering knowledge
• practical, communication, and design skills
• deeper knowledge of your chosen specialism

This enables you to join a design, production or research team; or 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 service
• education
• the armed forces
• the financial sector

(Revised 9 May 2024 to update employment opportunities)

Careers Service

We support you to recognise the wealth of possibilities ahead, during your time at the University and after graduation.

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience and provides:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree and studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success.

Careers Service

Internships

We encourage you to undertake relevant work experience during your degree.

We advertise internship opportunities and arrange company presentations with the Careers Service. These experiences can feature on your transcript after completing an Edinburgh Award.

Edinburgh Award

(Revised 9 May 2024 to update internships section)