Overview
If you're looking to advance your career in health and safety management within the workplace, our distance learning PgCert Occupational Health and Safety course is the perfect next step. You'll study for an accredited university qualification, without needing to leave your current job.
This course will enhance your ability to analyse problems, research and propose solutions, all while developing your confidence in delivering sound professional judgements in the workplace.
You'll graduate with the knowledge and skill necessary to fulfil your potential as a health and safety professional; you'll have the creativity, independence and enterprise to advance further professionally. On completion of this course, you'll also be sufficiently qualified to apply for Graduate Membership to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Professional accreditations
The course is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). As well as being able to apply for Graduate Membership upon completion of the course, you'll also have the opportunity to work towards Chartered status with IOSH through our unique professional development process.
Career Opportunities
When you finish the course, you'll have the skills and knowledge to advance your career with your current employer and boost your long-term career prospects.
After the course, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
What can you do with an Occupational Health and Safety Management qualification?
Previous graduates have gone onto to hold senior positions in the industry, including health and safety roles in the oil and gas industry, construction, local and national governments, the manufacturing sector, as well as film and television.
Distance Learning
Your learning modality is distance learning, therefore, the way you learn is flexible, so you can study wherever is most convenient for you and schedule your studies around your existing commitments.
It is essential that you have access to the web, as this will be the main source of your learning material. Assessment is solely based on the submission of your written assignments.
On this course you'll:
- have the opportunity to analyse and evaluate the management, regulation and promotion of occupational health and safety in UK and international workplaces
- study at a university that has offered courses in Health and Safety to serve industrial and professional needs since 1976
- be supported through our online virtual learning environment called Moodle. The Moodle environment is a rich source of information - both formal and informal
- be directed towards independent study through a range of activities, including online tutorials, podcasts and tutor-led discussion sessions, which will provide you with the opportunity to interact with staff and fellow students
- have access to our Library's vast selection of electronic resources, including e-books and journals, available anywhere, 24/7, with staff always on hand to help out
MODULES
Management Essentials for Health and Safety
This module will provide you with an appreciation of health and safety management and its integration into organisational management systems.
You'll study the nature of organisations and how management functions can be directed towards the recognition and control of risk. You'll study and interpret the requirements and responsibilities imposed by laws in respect to occupational health and safety. You'll also advance your understanding of risk management and reflect upon the relationship between human behaviour, culture and risk.
Risk Management in Practice
This module concerns the operational practice of health and safety, you'll consider the potential risks, from both a health and safety perspective, and their subsequent assessment and control. The aim of the module is to explore the potential hazards in a variety of industries both UK based and international, and to develop strategies for the assessment and control of hazards associated with the workplace and working practices.
This course isn't tied to the University's timetables or academic calendar. So you can work at your own pace, in your own time and in your own location. This PGCert programme consists of 2 distance learning modules, which will require 600 hours, over the course of a year, to effectively study.
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Extra Support
To help you juggle this course alongside your work and home life, you'll get extra support from:
- a Workplace Partner chosen by you – someone at work who can offer advice, guidance, and moral support
- an Academic Tutor specialising in your area of study
- a Personal Tutor who can offer advice, guidance and moral support
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching on this course includes:
- tutorials and lectures
- course materials
- workshops
- academic skills help
- journals
- podcasts
- PDP (Personal Development Planning)/IDP (Initial Development Planning)
quizzes and assessments
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
Qualifications or experience
- Applicants to the MSc Occupational Health and Safety Management and the MSc Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management should have appropriate experience and proven aptitude in health and safety, a certificated professional/vocational qualification or an undergraduate degree or equivalent. If you do not hold a level 6 qualification you may be required to present evidence of your ability to study at level 6.
English language requirements
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Tuition fees (September 2020 and January 2021 start)
International students
Part-time: £5,470 per year (subject to annual increase)
How To Apply
When you're ready to begin your application, follow the link below:
September 2020 entry
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to UoP's terms and conditions as well as the University’s policies, rules and regulations. You should read and consider these before you apply.
Terms and conditions