Degree Course – Frequently Asked Questions

The list of questions that follows is not necessarily exhaustive and some of the answers may change as we develop the accreditation processes with Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). If you have any questions that are not answered here please contact Mike Hill (education@railwayoperators.org) who will be pleased to help you.

1. When will the course start?
The next accredited courses will start in October 2008.

2. What is the enrolment process?
When your application has been received you will be contacted by the course mentor or a local area representative to make sure you understand the work involved and the time it will take.

The general principle that the Glasgow Caledonian University applies to any applicant to a programme of study is that they may be admitted if there is a reasonable expectation that they will be able to fulfil the objectives of the programme and achieve the standard required for the award.

Students applying for the Degree Course (which if successfully completed also qualifies you for full Membership of the Institution) would be expected to have an HND, a Dip. HE, or equivalent.

However, Glasgow Caledonian University will also consider non-standard qualifications or Recognition of Prior Learning as equivalent to the above as long as these can be evidenced.

However, if the University is satisfied that you have fulfilled some of the progression and attainment requirements of the programme by means other than attendance on the joint GCU/IRO programme and has a reasonable expectation of being able to complete the remaining requirements to fulfil the objectives of the programme and attain the standard required for the award, that student may be admitted to the diploma level of the programme only and allowed to progress, on condition that he or she has been interviewed by staff of the university and successfully completes the first module of the programme in Personal and Professional Development.

Please note that you may not use credits that have already been used to enable you to gain another qualification.

When you have been accepted as a student of GCU, and when the course fee has been paid you will be sent full details of the course. This will be on-line web based using the Glasgow Caledonian Blackboard system. You will also receive an authority to use the academic and social facilities at Glasgow Caledonian University, which requires you to submit a passport size photograph.


3. How long will the course last?
The course usually takes between 2 and 3 years, but if you find it difficult to complete the course within this timescale, you may take longer but only if you have proven extenuating circumstances which are accepted by GCU and the IRO.

Pressure of work is NOT an excuse acceptable to either GCU or IRO as the course is designed to be undertaken in your own time. You will be made fully aware of this at your pre-enrolment discussion.

You will normally be expected to complete a module within 12 weeks.


4. What if I am late submitting work
Unless you have a valid reason acceptable to IRO/GCU late submission of work may lead to a zero mark and a resit of the work involved. Pressure of work is not an acceptable reason for late submission of work. Full details are shown in the following extract from the GCU Regulations.

General Marking Criteria: An aggregate mark of 40 must be achieved in each module and a minimum mark of 35 is required for each separate part of the assessment. All assignments must be submitted by the specified deadline. Penalties may arise from failure to meet the submission dates for coursework, without good cause.

i) Failure by a student to meet any given submission deadline without good cause will normally result in a mark of zero for the piece of work concerned. Where a student fails to submit a piece of coursework which the module descriptor has stipulated as essential then the student will be deemed to have failed the module (see also 6.12).

ii) Where a student has good cause for a late submission and intimates this in advance of the submission deadline, a later submission date should normally be negotiated. Where appropriate, documentary evidence should be sought to support the claim. In the circumstances outlined in this paragraph, maximum marks will be available. (It would be expected that this regulation would apply in cases such as the following: serious domestic or personal problems or attendance at the hospital, court of law or funeral).

iii) Where a student has good cause for late submission that they are unable, or for valid reasons, unwilling to divulge in advance, then it is normally expected that notification of the good cause should be given no later than 10 working days after the submission deadline. A later submission date should normally be negotiated. Where appropriate, documentary evidence should be sought to support the claim. In the circumstances outlined in this paragraph, maximum marks will be available. (It would be expected that this regulation would apply in cases such as the following: illness of the candidate or unforeseen personal or domestic problems.)

(Appendices to University Regulations and Assessment and Graduation Process, October 2004:24)


5. How does the course work?
It is a distance-learning programme of 9 modules. You will be given on-line access to GCU through the on-line learning environment named Blackboard. This provides the IRO modules and an on-line chat room facility between tutors and other students. You should also carefully read the Student Study Guide available from the IRO website.

The modules must be submitted in the order directed.

The modules are:

1. Personal and Professional Development
2. Managing Freight and Passenger Operations
3. Safety Law and Management (part 2)
4. Train Planning and Performance Measurement
5. Train Movement Control Systems
6. Emergency Planning and Mishap Management & Investigation
7. Railway Engineering
8. Railway Economics
9. Integrated Work Based Project

Many of you may need the detailed syllabus to discuss with your immediate manager. The detailed syllabus for each module is:

Personal and Professional Development
• PPD will help you develop reflective practice and plan your learning

Managing Freight and Passenger Operations
• Types of passenger operations
• Types of freight (including mails, parcels, etc.) operations
• Operational characteristics – similarities and differences
• Operations safety standards management requirements, systems and techniques
• Service Disruption – Contingency Planning
• Servicing of rolling stock – interface with Fleet management
• Management of freight transits
• International operations
• Station and Terminals Management
• Safety regime (incl. R(SCW) Regulations)
• Train performance and platform working; interface with train operations;
• Customer services, including provision of information
• Station Access contracts - principles and audit
• Managing tenancies, contractors and retail outlets
• Rail retailing
• Key Performance Indicators - selection and use

Emergency Planning and Mishap Management & Investigation
• Types of occurrences
• Heavy rail, Metro, Underground, light rail, public highway interface
• Interfaces with other organisations
• Legal requirements
• Communications
• Safety on site
• Perishable evidence
• Recovery work
• Object of investigations
• Forming the team and project-managing the investigation
• Evaluation techniques
• Theories of causation
• Types of evidence
• Human factors
• Lessons from the past
• Report-writing

Emergency Planning
• Interfaces with rail and other organisations/agencies
• Chains of command/ organisational responsibilities
• Components of Major Disaster Plans
• Components of a local emergency plan
• Rehearsing the plan
• Promulgation

Train Planning and Performance Measurement
• Network management – interdependence, co-ordination and conflicts
• Systems for control of operations & train planning
• Introduction of new train or traffic services
• evaluating changes in infrastructure
• Resource utilisation & performance monitoring
• Performance data analysis, interpretation & presentation
• Reliability management & performance improvement
• System capacity & reliability evaluation: simulation and modelling techniques
• Managing within Performance regimes and to meet business needs

Safety Law and Management Part 2
• Employment Law for Operations Management
• The role and working of the H&S Inspectorate
• The role and working of the Safety & Standards Directorate
• Railway Acts and Regulations, including
• “Design, Construction & Use Regulations”
• Approval of Works, Plant, etc.
• Railway (Safety Case) Regulations
• Railway (Safety Critical Work) Regulations
• Risk Assessment
• Development of Railway Group Standards
• Safety Audit systems

Train Movement Control Systems
• Basic principles of operation – refresher
• UK interlocking principles
• Route signalling versus speed signalling
• European signalling systems
• Underground and metro signalling systems
• Line of sight and tramway signalling systems
• United States and other similar systems
• Automatic and driverless systems
• The change in emphasis towards total systems safety and operability
• Layout design and risk assessment The operators role in specifying requirements for new schemes
• The operators role in signalling schemes implementation and management
• Human factors – the operator as a sub-system and relationship with signalling
• Automatic warning, train protection and ATP systems – Basic principles
• ATP and Transmission based signalling – European developments
• ERTMS
• Traffic management – total railway management
• Degraded mode functionality
• Operational telecommunications
• Level crossings
• Vehicle health monitoring
• Safety regulation and the signalling system

Railway Engineering
Fleet Management
• General overview of characteristics of fleets within the UK, including locomotives, coaches, wagon, other vehicles. To include Heavy Rail/Metro/Underground/Light Rail.
• Principles of Registration and responsibilities of owners.
• Leasing arrangements – the various factors and issues.
• Utilisation/Availability/Reliability.
• Principles of Servicing and Maintenance, including records and monitoring systems.
• Spares Management.
• Issues surrounding modifications and repairs.
• Key Performance Indicators and measurement.

Infrastructure Management
• Understanding the types and operating/engineering interface implications of
• Track systems
• Signalling systems
• Telecommunications systems
• Electrified Lines, including power supply & distribution systems
• Formation and structures
• Infrastructure Maintenance
• New Works & Major Projects planning
• The operations interface with Engineering Railway Group Standards

Railway Economics
Railway Business and Contract Management
• The regulatory and legal framework for railway operations, including train planning.
• Marketing and financial criteria for operations planning;
• Negotiating Contracts & Agreements;
• Organisational structures;
• Principles of regulated contract regimes;
• Outlines of Access Agreements
• Track
• Depots
• Stations
• Access Conditions and obligations to beneficiaries;
• Performance regimes, abatements and performance;
• Dispute and amendment procedures;
• Negotiation Skills;
• Future developments in the industry framework.

Financial and Investment Management
• Budgetary control: planning, monitoring and managing variation.
• Financial accounting: introduction to the balance sheet, assets and liabilities, cash flow, profit & loss.
• Investment: Making a business case, appraisal & analysis of options, understanding and use of DCF and NPV.
• Selection and use of Key Performance Indicators

Integrated Workplace Module
• This module takes the form of a project that will be jointly set by your employing company, GCU and the IRO. Your work will have to demonstrate that you have understood each module in the programme and can draw together what you have learned from some or all of them during the period of the course.

Please note that all modules are copyright and may NOT be passed to third party.


6. What are the exam dates?
There is no formal examination. Work is continuously assessed and marked in accordance with academic requirements. Course work is based on worksheets, essay answers to set questions, case study analysis and project work. At the end of the course, a final assessment panel will be held to enable the student to present results from their studies. Successful completion will lead to the award of a BSc by Glasgow Caledonian University and Member status of the IRO.

7. How much work is there?
The work you will have to do will very much depend on your existing knowledge and experience. For this reason we cannot say with any precision the number of hours you will require to study. It is however vital that your domestic, personal and work circumstances enable you to devote time to regular planned study periods.

You will also be required to read recommended books and reports, which may mean buying them, or borrowing from a library. In some cases, they will need to be ordered in advance from the library. You may be able to obtain support from your employer to purchase some of the supporting reading material.

You must remember and understand that the work on the course has not been structured to be done in working hours therefore you must find the time in your personal life.


8. How are my problems answered?
Each module will have a Tutor who will mark and assess your work. Your tutor will also be your contact for problems with your study of that module. It is essential therefore that you complete the formative questions first and use the tutor feedback to answer the summative questions.

There will also be a Course Mentor to provide supplementary help on a more informal basis. GCU will also provide tutors – these tutors will take a lead role in the first and last modules.

All tutors are approved by GCU.


9. What is my Line Manager’s involvement?
You should make sure that your immediate Manager knows you are taking this course. You will need to discuss any potential problems and ask your Manager to sign part B of the application form to confirm you will receive support from your employer. If you do not have a PC at home, seek permission for occasional use of a PC at work to browse the Internet or prepare answers.

You may need to seek release, or be granted leave, to enable you to attend the launch day, at least one of the study weekends, and to attend the Assessment Panel interview. You may also need help with travel facilities.

Also do not forget that your line manager, if your company is sponsoring you, will be actively involved (with GCU/IRO) in setting and reviewing your final project. If you fail to adhere to your work plan and fall behind your line manager will be advised.


10. What are tutorials?
At the start of each module a tutorial will be held to introduce that module. These will normally be held on a Saturday between 10:00 and 15:00 at a location convenient to most students. This is your opportunity to meet the tutors and understand what is required of you.


11. Must I be a member of the Institution to take this course?
You can only access the course through the Institution of Railway Operators. You must already be an Affiliate or Associate member of the Institution and need your membership number to apply. Please note especially that even if your employer is a corporate member of the Institution you must still apply for individual membership. This is easiest via “Membership” section on this website. Applications received without your membership number cannot be processed. You will also need to satisfy Glasgow Caledonian University’s entry requirements.


12. How much will it cost?
Course fees for 2008 are £4,500.

13. How do I pay?
You may either:
• Send a cheque made payable to the Institution of Railway Operators for the correct fee, or
• You must organise and attach a purchase order (or equivalent) to your application form to enable the Institution to raise a payment invoice.

This is very important, as without a cheque or a purchase order, you cannot start the course. Please note that we cannot accept purchase order numbers verbally or credit cards. We can only accept cheques or the actual purchase order itself.

It is in your interest to arrange this as soon as possible. If you or your company pay by cheque you can start as soon as the cheque is cleared. If you pay by the purchase order method you will be started as soon as our invoice has been paid. Please note that this often takes 4 months, sometimes longer.

If the correct course fee has not been paid into our bank account two weeks before the course launch day we may not allow you to start the course.


14. What happens next?
You should use the link on the website to print off an application form for the course. You must print this and sign it in ink.

Please make sure that your local manager has signed part B if you are receiving corporate sponsorship. Please note that forms returned by E Mail without a signature or scanned documents are not acceptable. This form cannot be faxed either. Remember to attach the cheque or complete the employer's payment section.

You should also complete the Glasgow Caledonian University application form which must be returned to our Programme Administrator, Mike Hill, with the application form and not returned to Glasgow as shown on their form. You must attach your CV as well as copies of any educational certificates held. It is very important to state every educational qualification and course attended on the Glasgow form, including your IRO membership grade. Glasgow Caledonian University will only process application forms completed in block capitals (e - mail addresses excepted) and in black ink.

All applicants will be advised whether they have been accepted or not. Confirmation of acceptance will be a completed Part C.

Please remember that until you are accepted as a student of GCU, you cannot begin the course.


15. Are there any module exemptions (through Recognition of Prior Learning)?
There are no set procedures in place for the recognition of prior learning, but individual applications will be considered on merit by Glasgow Caledonian University.


16. Is there a certificate if I pass?
Yes, you will graduate with a Degree in Higher Education awarded by Glasgow Caledonian University, and may attend the Degree ceremony if you wish. You will also be granted Member status of the IRO.


17. Is there an age limit?
Yes, you must be 21 years old to satisfy University regulations.


18. Who administers the programme on a daily basis?
Mike Hill
Programme Administrator
Institution of Railway Operators
education@railwayoperators.org


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