UK universities produced 180 fire engineering graduates in 2025 — the highest ever — but demand from BSR Gateway 2 work means the shortage will persist for years.. The Good News UK universities offering fire engineering programmes (Edinburgh, Ulster, Greenwich, Bolton, Lancashire) produced 180 graduates in 2025 — up from 95 in 2023. The Less Good News Building Safety Regulator demand for competent fire engineers continues to grow: 2,800+ HRB projects in active design stages 12,000+ existing HRBs requiring ongoing safety case work PAS 9980 appraisals for thousands of mid rise buildings BESS fire engineering as new mandatory specialism Industry Response 1. Apprenticeship routes — IFE Level 6 and 7 apprenticeships now available 2. Cross training — structural, mechanical, and HVAC engineers retraining as fire engineers 3. International recruitment — accelerated visa routes for fire engineering specialists 4. AI tooling — code compliance checking and routine analysis automated 5. Specialist consultancies — focused practices like Magnus Opifex Seven absorbing demand for complex projects Career Implications Fire engineering is now one of the most sought after specialisms in construction. Average salaries for fire engineering consultants have risen 35% since 2022. Need Expert Fire Safety Advice? Magnus Opifex Seven LTD provides leading fire engineering, BSR Gateway 2 support, PAS 9980 appraisals, BESS fire safety, and healthcare fire strategy services across the UK. 📞 Call: +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Request a Free Consultation →