Key information
Gain the expertise to assess, manage, and mitigate complex engineering risks with a flexible online MSc built for professionals in high-hazard industries.
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Delivery type
- Self-paced
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Location
- Online
- Duration
- Flexible
- Start date
- January, May, September
Programme overview
In today’s high-risk industries, safety and reliability are essential to protecting people, assets, and the environment. The online MSc Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering gives you the tools to analyse, predict, and manage risk using advanced engineering principles — preparing you to lead in safety-critical sectors such as energy, manufacturing, aerospace, and transport.
Heriot-Watt University is internationally recognised for excellence in safety and reliability engineering, with teaching informed by more than 40 years of industry collaboration and research leadership. This online MSc develops the analytical, technical, and management skills to design safer systems, assess operational risks, and ensure reliability in complex environments.
Industry
Industry-informed learning developed with input from major global firms including AECOM, ARUP, Jacobs and WSP.
Top 15
Top 15 in the UK for Engineering. A global leader in engineering education and research, shaping industry standards worldwide (The Guardian, 2025).
Flexible
Complete your MSc fully online and in as little as two and a half years or pace your learning around your career and life.
This MSc blends theoretical foundations with practical application, helping you apply analytical techniques to real-world safety and reliability challenges. You’ll learn to design robust safety systems, anticipate potential failures, and develop solutions that meet global standards and regulations.
Graduates emerge ready to take on leadership roles in engineering, risk assessment, and reliability management - capable of shaping safer, more sustainable operations across diverse industries.
By studying this MSc Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering, you will:
- Master both qualitative and quantitative methods for analysing risk and reliability.
- Apply modelling, simulation, and analytical tools to real-world engineering problems.
- Gain practical experience in developing and managing safety systems.
- Evaluate human and organisational factors to improve reliability and performance.
- Build transferable professional skills in project management, communication, and strategic decision-making.
Upcoming application dates
Apply by 15 December to join the upcoming intake starting in January. Study online at your own pace and gain an industry-recognised qualification in sustainable building design.
Apply nowStudent experience
Heriot-Watt University is globally recognised for its research and teaching in safety, risk, and reliability engineering. With over four decades of expertise and close collaboration with industry, our programmes are designed to reflect the realities of high-hazard sectors such as oil and gas, renewables, aerospace, and manufacturing.
The MSc is led by Dr Sandhya Patidar, a specialist in data science and environmental risk assessment. Her research in big data, simulation, and machine learning directly informs the course, ensuring students gain insight into modern techniques shaping the future of safety and reliability engineering.
This programme is also supported by the Civil Engineering Industry Advisory Committee, which includes experts from leading firms such as AECOM, ARUP, Balfour Beatty, Jacobs, and WSP — ensuring teaching remains relevant and industry-aligned.
Course content
The degree comprises eight taught courses. Heriot-Watt Online students must first take exams in two courses of the degree, Human Factors Methods and Learning from Disasters. Based on the results from these courses students continue on the degree at MSc or at PG Diploma level.
Entry courses
- Human Factors Methods
- Sustainability for Construction Professionals
Core courses
- Risk Assessment and Safety Management
- Statistical Data Analysis and Programming
- Fire Safety, Explosions and Process Safety
- Safety, Risk and Reliability
Optional courses
- Learning from Disasters
- Plastic Analysis of Structures
- Finite Element Method Linear Analysis
- Finite Element Method Nonlinear Analysis
- Machine Learning and Programming
- Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
- Systems Reliability
Dissertation
- Research Dissertation (Civil Engineering)
Study at your own pace
Our flexible online model allows you to study wherever you are in the world, while continuing to work and apply new knowledge in your role. Complete your MSc in as little as 2 and a half years or spread your studies over a longer period to suit your commitments.
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Linda's story
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Fees and funding
Tuition is available on a pay-per-course basis.
| Per course | Dissertation | Full programme |
| £1,570 | £2,030 | £14,590 |
Fees apply to courses starting between September 2025 and August 2026. Fees include one assessment attempt and may increase annually. Find out more about our tuition fees.
Funding opportunities
Pay Per Course
All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.
20% Alumni Discount
If you are a Heriot-Watt alumnus, you qualify for 20% off your programme fees. For more information on how to claim your alumni discount contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
Employer Sponsorship
All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
We welcome applications from graduates and professionals with backgrounds in engineering, construction, architecture, project management, or related disciplines.
Standard entry requirements
Applicants should be able to:
- 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.
You must first complete Final Online Assessments in two courses of the programme, Human Factors Methods and Sustainability for Construction Professionals. Based on the results for these entry courses, you will continue on the programme at MSc or at PG Diploma level.
Alternative entry
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences and recognise that some students entering our online programme will have completed prior academic study in subjects that align closely to this programme. Where this is the case, students may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
- Applying for RPL: We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.
- Maximum credits: You may be eligible to be granted exemption for a maximum of 20 credits.
- Eligibility: The qualification may be valid for RPL only if gained with the last 5 years. Evidence will need to be provided.
- Cost breakdown: The overall cost of your programme will be determined by whether you are awarded RPL for a 20-credit course, in which case you will not be required to register for that course. Programme fees can be found under the fees and funding section.
For more information contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes and 5th in the UK, which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country. We're also ranked 1st in Scotland for producing CEO and MDs (Novuna Business Cash Flow 2023).
We're Scotland's most international University, with five global campuses and a global community of 60,000 online students and alumni from over 158 countries. Our online programmes are designed and developed by the same faculty who teach on our global campuses - expert academics and leaders in research and innovation who work alongside industry to find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Together, we shape your future.
Industry
Industry-led education. Developed with input from leading employers through our Civil Engineering Industry Advisory Committee.
Global
Recognised worldwide for excellence in safety, risk and engineering education.
Flexible
Complete your MSc fully online and in as little as two and a half years or pace your learning around your career and life.
Employability
With our flexible model you can earn while you learn, build your CV, and apply new skills right away. Get free access to 500+ industry credentials and dedicated Careers Service support.
Potential career paths
- Construction Safety Manager
- Process Safety Engineer
- Health and Safety Director
- Risk and Compliance Manager
- Environmental Health and Safety Engineer
- Safety Consultant
Your Online experience
Explore Heriot-Watt Online as a student
Speak to an advisor
Considering the MSc Safety and Risk Management and want to understand how it could work for you? Our Enrolment Advisors can talk you through entry routes, course choices, time commitment and funding options.
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