Railway Engineering (Graduate Diploma)
Overview
Launch your future in the rail industry by mastering the fundamentals of railway engineering. Gain the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to step confidently into high-demand rail careers.
Consisting of four courses, the diploma provides a focused and efficient pathway for developing applied knowledge in railway systems, infrastructure, and safety.
The Graduate Diploma in Railway Engineering provides an opportunity to extend your engineering expertise into the rapidly evolving rail sector. The program delivers a strong foundation in the principles of modern railway systems, integrating theory with applied insight into how rail networks are designed, built and operated.
Whether you are building on prior industry experience or transitioning from another engineering discipline, this program emphasizes the integration of technical knowledge with industry-relevant applications, supporting both early-career professionals and those seeking to extend their expertise.
*This program is subject to final government approval.
Program Delivery
This compact structure allows for timely completion while maintaining academic relevance to professional practice.
- Consists of four graduate-level courses.
- May be completed full-time or part-time.
- Designed to accomodate working professionals.
- Courses emphasize applied learning and industry context.
Industry Relevance
Designed for organizations or individuals seeking to enhance their internal capacity and skill development needs within their sector.
- Provides a structured pathway for employee upskilling.
- Minimizes disruption through a flexible course format.
- Aligns professional development with industry-informed content.
- Support ongoing workforce development.
Courses
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Introduction to Railway Systems
This course introduces railway systems:
- The environmental needs and contributions of railway systems in a global context.
- The history of railways, the requirements of regulatory authorities and the factors considered in designing railway systems, including the main economic parameters of railway systems to be considered for any project.
- Engineering methodologies of railway systems, including design of metro, tram, and mainline/commuter systems will be covered along with the principles for managing the operational capability of railway systems.
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Railway Safety and Signaling
This course covers railway signalling systems:
- The role of signalling systems as the key device for managing the safety of railway systems.
- Learn the applicable principles and solutions employed in modern signalling systems for complex rail networks.
- Topics include: signal technologies, safety, security, interlocking, and levels of automation.
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Railway Rolling Stock
This course covers the main elements of railway rolling stock.
- Topics include dimensioning, traction systems, braking systems, bogies, and computing and control systems.
- Specific topics related to passenger trains include comfort, and door design.
- The primary objective of all rail systems is to optimize train and passenger traffic. Rolling stock must therefore be developed in the best possible way to meet this objective.
- This course provides future players in the rail sector with a global vision of what is important to consider for train development.
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Railway Systems Operation and Maintenance
This course covers the operation and maintenance of both urban and main line railway systems.
- Topics include: scheduling; Operations Control Centre (OCC); maintenance options, tools, procedures and training; emergency measures; and testing and commissioning.
Admissions
Admissions
- Hold a four-year honours degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution in the area of engineering or a closely related subject*.
- A minimum B- average (GPA: 2.7 on a 4.3 scale or 70 to 72 per cent).
*Applicants that have a degree in subject areas outside of engineering or those who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, but have relevant engineering experience will be evaluated on an individual case-by-case basis.
Please note: Admission to this program is currently limited to domestic students.
Required supporting documents
Please see the checklist of required documents for a list of supporting documentation that must be submitted with your application.
Required test scores for English language proficiency
See English language proficiency for the minimum required test scores for this program.
Applications for admission to all graduate studies programs are submitted online. There are six steps you must go through to complete the application process. See application process and requirements for step-by-step instructions.
Many of our graduate programs are extremely competitive; the number of qualified applicants normally exceeds the number of seats available for each intake. Satisfaction of minimum entry requirements does not ensure admission.
Additional information
Applicants to professional or course-based programs are not normally considered for internal funding sources such as entrance scholarships, minimum funding packages, teaching assistantships, research assistantships or graduate research assistantships.
While external scholarships and awards for graduate students who fall under the above criteria are often limited, we encourage you to explore some of the external scholarship databases available for possible funding opportunities.
Check for your program OSAP eligibility using the OSAP estimator.
Tuition fees for graduate programs are charged on a flat-fee or fee-per-credit basis and vary by program and student status.
For current, specific fees and details on flat-fee versus fee-per-credit programs, please see tuition and fees.
Contact the program:
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
905.721.8668 ext. 5477
grad.engineering@ontariotechu.ca
Contact the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies:
905-721-3190
connect@ontariotechu.ca