UK: The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators has announced an academic partnership which will see Keele University develop and deliver its Railway Operations Management programme, which includes the Certificate, Diploma and BSc in Railway Operations Management.
The programmes are designed specifically for professionals working across the railway sector, equipping operational leaders with the knowledge, skills and strategic understanding required to manage the complex realities of modern rail operations.
Keele University already works with CIRO through the Senior Leader MBA programme.
With the new partnership, CIRO has ended its long-standing collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University, which supported the delivery of CIRO’s programmes for more than two decades. All learners currently enrolled on programmes validated by Glasgow Caledonian University will be supported through to completion, with no changes to programme structure, teaching, assessment or certification.
Preparations are now underway to support the transition to Keele University as CIRO prepares for the next programme intake. Applications open in April 2026, with the next cohort expected to begin their studies in October 2026.
CIRO Chief Operating Officer Adam Fenton said ‘partnering with Keele University allows us to build on the success of our academic programmes while strengthening the connection between industry and higher education. Having both organisations located in Staffordshire also creates new opportunities for collaboration and innovation as we continue developing the operational leaders who keep Britain’s railway running safely and efficiently.’
