Program Overview

---

Fire & Leadership Studies

BSc (Hons)

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Campus

• Preston Campus

Start

• September 2025

Duration

• 3 years

UCAS Code

• LN42

Delivery

• In-person

Foundation year available

• Yes

Placement option

• Yes

Course Description

Fire and Leadership Studies is extremely popular. The result of a unique, pioneering collaboration with the fire and rescue services, it recruits bright talent straight to them.

The course combines academic study with practical hands-on training in fire service operations. It covers leadership, fire risk management, fire and rescue operations, fire science, fire safety, fire investigation, human resource management, business and management practice.

We combine theoretical science with hands-on practical and leadership skills. Recent course improvements include breathing apparatus, road traffic accident rescue technician training and trauma care.

If you’re ultimately looking for a rewarding career in local authority fire and rescue services, this is an excellent route to take. There’s a part-time option for serving officers. This also means full-time students benefit from learning alongside experienced operational firefighters.

The course is supported by an industrial liaison group, which reviews and inputs into the course to ensure it meets fire industry needs.

Why study with us

• Bachelor of Science with Honours in Fire and Leadership Studies is ranked 10th in the UK with 84% of students satisfied with the teaching quality (Times Good University Guide 2021)
• An operational module is delivered in cooperation with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service so you’ll learn from their expertise.
• Benefit from the latest high-quality equipment and facilities available in our new £35m Engineering Innovation Centre.

What you'll do

• Access to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s internationally renowned training and fire investigation facilities.
• You’ll have international opportunities including travel and work placement with Operation Florian, a charitable organisation.
• Our Engineering Innovation Centre enables you to work on real-world projects with commercial partners in state-of-the-art facilities.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to Combustion and Fire
• Safety and Fire Law
• Building, Materials and Fire
• Community Fire Safety
• Skills for Science and Engineering
• Leadership and Motivation

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Fire Safety Management and Legislation
• Accidents and Catastrophes
• Safety, Health and Environment
• Project Management
• Community Fire Safety Strategies

Optional modules

• Leading, Managing and Developing People
• Fire Risk Assessment in Complex Residential Buildings
• Fire Risk Assessment in Complex Non-Residential Buildings

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Leading and Learning Through Change
• Fire Investigation
• Strategic Risk Decision Making
• Hazards and Risk Management
• Fire Studies Dissertation

Accreditations

• Energy Institute (EI)
• Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE)

Future careers

This course will give you a head start to a successful career in modern fire and rescue services. Whilst not guaranteeing entry, it equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a progressive career.

Entry requirements

• UCAS: 104 points at A2
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
• BTEC Diploma: D*D
• Pass Access Course: 104 UCAS Points
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 104 points from Higher Level Subjects
• T Level: M
• IELTS: 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
• GCSEs: 5 at grade C/4 including Maths and English or equivalent

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,535 per year (full-time), £1,623 for the placement year, £1,587 per 20 credits (part-time)
• International: £17,325 per year (full-time)

Scholarships and bursaries

• Care Leaver Bursary
• Estranged student support
• Dependants Bursary
• Financial support package

Learning and assessment

• A three-year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits and each 20 credits (a standard module) equates to 200 hours of study.
• Modules comprise a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and independent study.
• Independent study is an important aspect of your degree course.
• The course delivers a unique combination of theoretical science, hands-on practical and leadership skills through lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical sessions.
• An operational module, which is delivered in cooperation with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, will provide you with the knowledge and expertise to attend incidents as professional firefighters.
• Modules will be assessed through theory and practical examinations, and coursework.
• Assessed coursework will include essays, reports, practical exercises, presentations and a dissertation.

Industry links

• The combination of bespoke development and academic qualification has made the course particularly attractive to Fire and Rescue Services.
• Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria have placed students on the course and many others have supported students by offering them placements, work experience or help with research topics.

Further information

• This programme has many practical aspects including a four-week operational fire-fighting course where time is spent within services carrying out community fire safety education.
• Students are encouraged to seek summer placements within supporting fire and rescue services and every effort is made to assist in this important aspect of development and service integration.
• This course offers an optional 48-week sandwich placement in industry between the second and third years.