Program Overview

---

Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety – GradDipOHS

The Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety is designed to provide advanced education in the fields of safety management, occupational health, environmental control, loss control, and occupational hygiene. This qualification can help improve the working lives of New Zealanders, while boosting your career.

Type of Qualification

• Graduate diploma
• Level of study: Graduate study (NZQF level 7)
• Time to complete: 2 years part-time (not available for full-time study)
• Where you can study: Distance and online
• International students: Not open to international students

Key Dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety – GradDipOHS

Transfer Your Learning to Your Workplace

Occupational health and safety (OHS) has become an integral part of business in New Zealand. With a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, you can help improve the effects of the working environment on the health and wellbeing of workers. This qualification is particularly useful if you currently work in roles such as:

• Health and safety coordinator/manager
• Occupational health nurse
• Human resource management
• Industrial relations specialist
• Production manager
• Industrial chemist
• Industrial engineers
• OHS consultant

Choose from a Range of Courses

At Massey, you can choose from a wide range of courses that reflect the multidisciplinary nature of OHS. You’ll learn about hazards and risks in the workplace, how to assess and manage those risks, and create healthy workplaces.

Study When It Suits You

Our distance learning option lets you study when and where is most convenient for you. You can fit study around your work and family commitments.

Further Study

You could go on to study the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) or the Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety).

Entry Requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific Requirements

To enter the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, you will:

• Have been awarded or qualified for a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Have completed at least 2 years of relevant professional experience or equivalent
• Provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University

English Language Requirements

To study this qualification, you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

The Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety is only available for part-time study due to the sequencing of the courses. Several courses have contact workshops, which means you must come onto campus.

Courses and Specialisations

Key Terms

• Courses: Each qualification has its own specific set of courses.
• Course code: Each course is numbered using 6 digits.
• Credits: Each course is worth a number of credits.
• Specialisations: Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in.

Credit Summary

• 120 credits
  • Core courses: 90 credits
  • 200-level course from the Schedule: 15 credits
  • 300-level course from the Schedule: 15 credits
• Include at least 75 credits at 300 level.

Course Planning Key

• Prerequisites: Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level.
• Corequisites: Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course.
• Restrictions: Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar.

Compulsory Courses

Choose 120 credits from:

Code	Course	Credits
	Organisational Behaviour	15 credits
	Human Factors and Ergonomics: Work, Performance, Health and Design	15 credits
	Toxic Substances, Human Health and the Environment	15 credits
	Bio-Physical Effects of Noise and Vibration	15 credits
	Principles of Occupational Health and Safety	15 credits
	Health and Safety Auditing	15 credits
	Occupational Hygiene	15 credits
	Project in Occupational Health and Safety	15 credits

Fees and Scholarships

2026 Tuition Fees

• Domestic students: $7,415
• International students: Not applicable

Course Fees

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student Loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free Scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

Scholarship and Award Opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards.

Careers and Job Opportunities

The Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety can lead to or enhance many careers. Our graduates are working as:

• Health and safety managers
• Staff of WorkSafe New Zealand and ACC
• Occupational health and safety consultants
• Occupational health nurses
• Medical practitioners involved in occupational medicine
• Environmental health, air pollution and noise control specialists
• Occupational hygienists
• Designing engineers
• Human resource managers and advisors

What Our Students Say

“It was a rude awakening for me to pick up the art of studying again after 43 years away from the books! I’ve learned never to take things at face-value, but to make time to listen, learn and understand what’s under the hood. You’re never too old to learn!”

Rhea Hazners

Health, Safety and Emergency Management Advisor

“The combination of my work experience and a health and safety qualification has enabled me to really engage with people across the hierarchy of organisations I have been associated with. It has benefited me in terms of career development and acceptance in workplaces.”

Greg Dearsly

Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

Accreditations and Rankings

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

Our Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety and Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Health & Safety) are accredited by IOSH, a global professional body based in the UK. Completing this qualification meets the academic requirement for Graduate Membership to IOSH. Membership leads to registration as an OHS practitioner.

ShanghaiRanking - Public Health

Massey University is ranked in the top 500 universities in the world and fourth in New Zealand in the subject area of public health by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Related Study Options

Environmental Health – Bachelor of Health Science

Protect people and communities from threats to their health from built and natural environments, with the Bachelor of Health Science (Environmental Health).

Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health – GradDipEH

If you’re interested in protecting people’s health and wellbeing at a local community level, the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health is for you.

Māori Health – Master of Health Science

Elevate the health and wellbeing of iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori communities with Massey's Master of Health Science (Māori Health).

Māori Health – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science

This qualification enables you to specialise in Māori knowledge within advanced health studies. Explore the progress made and the potential to further develop the health and wellbeing of Māori communities.

Nursing – Master of Health Science

Advance your knowledge and skills in the health sector with Massey’s Master of Health Science (Nursing).

Occupational Health and Safety – Bachelor of Health Science

Massey’s Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) will give you essential skills for a career in the health industry.

Occupational Health and Safety – Master of Health Science

Occupational health and safety has become an integral part of business. Help improve the health and wellbeing of workers in New Zealand through Massey’s Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety).

Occupational Health and Safety – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science

Occupational health and safety (OHS) has become an integral part of business. Help improve the health and wellbeing of workers by preventing work-related injuries.