You can do a foundation degree or degree in fire engineering.

You can also do an engineering degree, for example civil or structural engineering. You can then take a postgraduate course in fire safety engineering or fire engineering science.

Some courses offer a work placement. This will give you relevant work experience and can help you to make useful industry contacts.

Your university careers service will be able to advise you about this.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

You can take a higher national certificate (HNC) or higher national diploma (HND) in an engineering subject at college. This might help you find work as a trainee fire engineer.

You'll then do further training on the job to specialise in fire safety.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You can apply to do a Fire Safety Inspector Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship or a Fire Safety Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

These can take between 2 and 5 years to complete and combine workplace training with study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

If you're already working in a fire safety or firefighting role, you may be able to take professional qualifications offered by The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), such as:

• Level 3 Certificate in Fire Engineering Science
• Level 4 Diploma in Fire Science and Fire Safety
• Level 5 Award in Fire Investigation

You'll need:

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• complex problem-solving skills
• knowledge of physics
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You'll need to:

• have a full driving licence

As a fire engineer, you could:

• use computer modelling to investigate how fires start and spread
• make recommendations about building design and fire-resistant construction materials
• advise companies on fire risks, safety systems and emergency procedures
• write fire investigation reports
• keep up to date with product developments, fire regulations and laws
• work with local authorities, construction professionals and architects on fire safety

You could work in an office or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.