Hydrogen Safety
About
We are offering a limited number of free places on our Postgraduate Certificate in Hydrogen Safety, fully funded by the Department for the Economy. The course is designed for those with a primary degree in engineering, technology or science.
Northern Ireland is emerging as a region of excellence in Energy and Green Technology. Local businesses have recently been engaged in developing expertise in the production of green hydrogen and the manufacturing of hydrogen buses.
This course focuses on advances in Hydrogen Safety, including breakthrough prevention and mitigation strategies and novel engineering solutions for hydrogen systems and infrastructure.
The state-of-the-art in the safety of hydrogen production, distribution, storage and use is addressed. You will learn scientific and engineering principles of hydrogen safety to understand the origin and phenomenology of hydrogen safety problems. These skills will equip graduates to work in the hydrogen industry and/or train colleagues in hydrogen safety.
Delivery format (Fully Online)
Typically the course will have e.g. 6 hours of taught content per week. Those undertaking the course should expect to spend e.g. 25 hours per week on the course this includes contact hours, completion of online lectures and quizzes, preparation of courseworks and suggested reading materials.
Teaching will be a mixture of online delivery, podcasts/ pre-recorded and written lecture content. Suggested reading materials, tutorials and participant blogs facilitate learning and understanding.
Assessment is 100% coursework using on-line submission and ranges from reports to essays.
Campus
Fully online
Hardware requirements for study
In order to complete the programme, all successful applicants must have access to a broadband connection, a computer or laptop, a webcam and a microphone. A basic-entry PC or laptop would be sufficient.
A computer with at least 8 GB of RAM, with an Intel or similar processor will be sufficient.
Term dates
Autumn Semester: 22 September 2025 – 23 January 2026
Spring Semester: 26 January 2026 – 29 May 2026
Further Information
Modules
Principles of Hydrogen Safety
This module focuses on the fundamentals of hydrogen safety science and engineering. This course combines a variety of disciplines in an engineering framework 'Principles of Hydrogen Safety' that includes but not limited to relevant RCS.
Insight into these principles is developed to enable the participant to understand the origin and phenomenology of hydrogen safety problems involving unscheduled releases and dispersion of expanded and under-expanded jets, ignition mechanisms, microflames, hydrogen jet fires and associated hazard distances, etc. Case studies reinforce the best practice in hydrogen safety.
Lectures that are covered during 12 weeks of a Semester 1:
Lecture 1. Introduction to hydrogen safety
Lecture 2. Hydrogen properties and hazards, comparison with other fuels
Lecture 3. Regulations, Codes and Standards (RCS) and hydrogen safety engineering
Lecture 4. Unignited releases
Lecture 5. Ignition of hydrogen mixtures
Lecture 6. Microflames
Lecture 7. Jet fires - Part 1
Lecture 8. Jet fires - Part 2
Lecture 9. Hydrogen permeation
Lecture 10. Compatibility of metallic materials with hydrogen
Lecture 11. Materials for hydrogen technologies
Lecture 12. Case studies
Hydrogen Safety Technologies
This module focuses on advanced hydrogen safety technologies, including breakthrough prevention and mitigation strategies and novel engineering solutions for hydrogen systems and infrastructure.
The state-of-the-art in safety of hydrogen production, distribution, storage, and use is addressed to equip participants with skills necessary to work in hydrogen industry and train colleagues in hydrogen safety.
Lectures that are covered during 12 weeks of a Semester 2:
Lecture 1. Hydrogen passive and forced ventilation
Lecture 2. Prevention of pressure peaking phenomenon in garage-like enclosures
Lecture 3. Pressure peaking phenomenon for ignited releases
Lecture 4. Regimes, pressure and thermal effects of indoor hydrogen fires
Lecture 5. Pressure effect of hydrogen explosions
Lecture 6. Mitigation of deflagrations in confined and semi-confined space
Lecture 7. Fire resistance and thermal protection of hydrogen storage
Lecture 8. Blast wave and fireball from a high-pressure hydrogen tank rupture in a fire: analytical model
Lecture 9. Blast wave and fireball from a high-pressure hydrogen tank rupture in a fire: numerical simulations
Lecture 10. Safety of dealing with liquefied and cryogenic hydrogen
Lecture 11. Quantitative risk assessment
Lecture 12. Computational hydrogen safety engineering
Progress through the course
All lectures are designed to be delivered sequentially in the presented order. At the end of each lecture there is a short self-test quiz aimed at helping student to assess the understanding of the content in each lecture. However, in order to progress to the next lecture, you would need to achieve a score of at least 80% the quiz. It is envisaged that one lecture is completed per one week. There will be discussion boards dedicated for each lecture to rise any questions within the student cohort and communicate with the lecturer.
There are 2 coursework in each module to assess the progress. The first coursework is released in the middle of a module and at the second at the end of a module. The coursework is formed of the questions related to lectures material and practical tasks in the use of e-Laboratory of Hydrogen Safety.
Entry Requirements
Academic requirements
- Any undergraduate degree
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are 18 or over at the point of enrolment;
- have a right to work and undertake training in the UK at the point of application and for the duration of the course and must not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status. Proof of this will be required to progress your application. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements including competency in English (as evidenced by GCSE Grade C in English or alternative). For English competency, a degree taught in UK or Ireland covers this requirement. If your degree is from outside the UK or Ireland, please see our list of acceptable qualifications or tests.
- are available to register in person at the campus as required.
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come, first served basis. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications can not be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time (including modules to a total of 45 credits per semester - if studying part-time).
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence of having right to work and undertake training in the UK*
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else
* Holders of UK or Irish passports automatically have this right. if you hold a passport from another nation, please provide evidence of UK immigration permissions to include a ShareCode and/or BRP.
To select the correct course, in the field called Please select the subject area, select Green Skills from the drop down box. Then select Hydrogen Safety, PGCert from the next drop down box.
