IRO Foundation Course

The Institution of Railway Operators and Glasgow Caledonian University are pleased to announce the introduction of a Foundation Course in Railway Operations. This certificate level course will precede the existing diploma and degree programmes and is aimed at people who have not been long in the industry, and do not have the experience or qualifications to move on to a university diploma course. Successful completion of this course gives automatic entry onto the diploma programme, which leads on to the third part, the one which culminates in the award of a degree.

The new foundation course covers three generic modules that are part of any certificate course and these prepare a student for the academic approaches to learning. There are two specific railway modules and the final module is an end of course project. The railway modules are:
• A Background to Railway Operations
• Basic Railway Operations

The other modules are:
• Personal and Professional Development
• Effective Learning
• Information and Communications Skills
• Work based integrated learning project

These will be led by tutors from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Each module will take 12/15 weeks to complete, and is run on the basis of distance learning, which means home study. In order to obtain a certificate all the modules must be completed.
This course is designed for people within the rail industry or consultants who wish to further their knowledge and academic qualifications and eventually obtain a diploma degree in Railway Operations Management. However there is no obligation to go beyond this certificate level.

The minimum qualifications necessary to enter this course are as follows:
- 3 GCE AS level passes plus 2 GCSEs at grade C or above
- 5 Passes in Scottish Certificate of Education, of which 3 are at Higher level and 2 at Standard Grade 3 or above or 4 passes of which all are at Higher level.
- A Group Award at Higher level
- Irish leaving Certificate 5 passes at Grade C or better at Higher level
- Pass in approved Access Course
- GSVQ/GNVQ level 3
- SVQ/NVQ level 3
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.

The pilot course will be launched in October 2008 and is open for up to 30 students. The fee is £2115.00 per student and is payable in advance to the IRO. Students must have at least Affiliate membership of the IRO.

To see FAQ’s please click here
To email our Education Team with questions about the course, please click here
To obtain an application form for the Foundation Course, please click here
To obtain additional form from Glasgow Caledonian University (obligatory) click here

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