Railway Operations, Management and Policy MSc

Railways throughout the world play a key social and economic role in societies. They are complex systems and are constantly adapting to change. Many are experiencing substantial growth in patronage due to ever increasing economic prosperity and urbanisation - the result is a need for greater connectivity among urban centres and communities, while facing increasing industry complexity and new challenges.

Across the world, railways are coming under increasing pressure particularly as means of intercity transport (prompting the rapid expansion of High Speed Rail) and urban transportation with the growth of cities. On the one hand, this has led to a welcome increase in business, but on the other hand, it has increased the complexity of ongoing challenges. Holistic, multi-disciplinary solutions need to be developed to meet the challenges of capacity, congestion or reliability within finite resource budgets and complex industry structures. Innovation is now perhaps more important than ever, since Covid-19 has brought a whole new set of challenges that is shaking the business models of all public transport systems worldwide.

The railway industry needs professionals with tailored skills and knowledge. This Masters will develop and expand your existing disciplinary background, to equip you with the skills needed to develop and evaluate a variety of solutions to railway problems and thus make a real contribution to the challenges of our railways worldwide.

"This course will bridge the gap between understanding day-to-day operations of the different parts of the complex rail system and the wider social and strategic context that railways operate within. It will enable new and existing professionals to excel within the industry. Network Rail is keen to support this bold initiative by the University of Leeds." Sir Peter Hendy, Chairman Network Rail.

The course will expose you to the need for a customer focused railway and the implications of this to scheduling, timetabling, pricing, customer information or response to disruption. The course will also examine broader strategic developments in the rail sector ranging from the introduction of new infrastructure and rolling stock on the network to lessons from other railway systems.

Taught by researchers who are at the forefront of their field, you will develop a range and depth of expertise that will equip you for a rewarding career.

Other study options

This programme is available part time over 24 or 36 months. We are flexible as to how you choose to study this course so that you can combine it with other commitments, such as an existing job. Please get in touch with our admissions team to discuss part time study options.

You can also study this subject at Postgraduate Diploma level, part time or full time, or at Postgraduate Certificate level with our PGCert in Transport Studies.

Online taster course

‘Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations’ is a free online course, delivered via FutureLearn, introducing how the transport sector can develop infrastructures that meet the needs of a 21st century population.

This course may be of interest to undergraduate students and mid-career professionals who are considering a transport Masters at the University of Leeds. Join the online course now.

You’ll consider a variety of perspectives and tools when approaching the multiple and varied challenges present in a rail context, through the following core modules:

• Railway Operation and Management

• Shaping Future Transport Systems

• Railway Policy

• Railway Investment Appraisal

Through the Transport Integrated Project module you’ll also be exposed to an even broader set of disciplines pertinent to key roles in the transport sector, such as engineers, sustainability analysts and environmental scientists, and you’ll be required to work in multidisciplinary teams to solve a real world transport problem involving rail. Furthermore, you will be able to tailor the course to your needs and preferences through the selection of two modules of your own choice from a list of optional modules.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Railway Operations, Management and Policy MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Railway Operations, Management and Policy MSc Part Time in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, group work and practical computer sessions.

Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

The dissertation project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. You’ll get the opportunity to undertake an original piece of research relevant to the addressing the challenges in the rail industry.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, assignments, group projects and exams.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a relevant subject such as (but not limited to) engineering, maths, economics, management (and any other business-related degree), environmental science, and transportation.

Graduates from other disciplines and those with professional experience plus experience in the sector will also be considered.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component, or equivalent qualification.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

31 July 2021 – International applicants

10 September 2021 – UK applicants

Apply (Full time)

Apply (Part time)

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Environment Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

• UK: £10,250 (total)
• International: £24,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

The UK has a shortage of railway professionals, which are needed to develop and deliver the plans for significant railway infrastructure investment. The job market will be buoyant for graduates of this Masters course.

Upon graduation, you may find employment in a range of roles across the transport industry, as a policy analyst, economist, strategic operations manager or planner among many others.

This course is interdisciplinary in nature and will equip you with the necessary skills to make a real contribution to the changes needed on our railways.

Careers support

You’ll have access to the wide variety of support available to Masters students, both within the Institute for Transport Studies and at the University’s Careers Centre.

You’ll have the chance to attend employer visit days at the Institute, which give you the opportunity to meet potential graduate employers and gain experience of the recruitment process. You’ll also be able to connect with our global alumni network and build industry contacts.

The University's Careers Centre also provides a range of support and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Four-month placement scheme

You will have the opportunity to gain four months industry experience in the UK with companies such as Network Rail and AECOM at the end of your Masters course. After a competitive application process, paid placements are offered from September to December at the end of your studies.

Some of the employers and the job titles of previous placement students are listed below:

• AECOM (Graduate Transport Engineer)
• Network Rail (Strategic Planning Assistant, Timetable Development Assistant, Junior Strategic Planner)
• Fore Consulting (Transport Consultant)
• Stantec (Transport Consultant)

The scheme is open to all Masters students, including those on a student visa, within the Institute for Transport Studies. Placements aren’t guaranteed.

We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 21/22 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.

We offer plenty of opportunities for students to experience transport systems in action, both within the UK and Europe, allowing you to meet and hear directly from transport professionals and see what you’ve learned in practice.

For many of our students, the highlight of their year is the European Field Trip. This week-long trip which takes place after the summer exams and has been a fixture in the Institute's calendar since 1987. The itinerary varies from year to year, but has often included Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.

Stops en-route have included Pedestrian Centres and Docklands Transport in Rotterdam; Cycle and Traffic Calming Facilities in Delft; the Motorway Traffic Control Centre in Amsterdam; the Guided Bus System in Essen; the Wuppertal Monorail; Town Planning features in Duisburg and Dusseldorf; research talks at the University of Hasselt, and visit to the Brussels Metro.