Program Overview

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Occupational Health and Safety Management (Learning at Work) MSc

Key Information

Accreditation

This course is Accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Study Mode and Duration

• Flexible

Start Date

• September 2025
• January 2026

Course Information

Overview

The MSc Occupational Health and Safety Management (Learning at Work) course is designed for professionals who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in occupational health and safety management. The course is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and is suitable for those who want to progress their career as an Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner or specialize in managing safety in various fields.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications or Experience

• A degree or equivalent
• Other qualifications, such as HNDs and Foundation degrees, supported by several years of relevant post-qualification experience in responsible posts, may also be acceptable
• Applicants are usually working at a professional level
• 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

Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees

• 60 credits: £4,200
• 90 credits: £6,300
• 120 credits: £8,400
• 150 credits: £10,500
• 180 credits: £12,600

Additional Course Costs

• Recommended reading: You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module, which are available online through the library
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolio: There is a fee before you start the course if we need to assess an RPL portfolio, which is £1,200 for September 2025 or January 2026 starts

How You'll Study

Learning Contract

Your study will include up to four elements:

• Learning Management: You'll set out a plan to shape your learning and prepare for the research reports you'll produce
• Recognition of Prior Learning: You can bring up to 120 credits of the 180 you need from your existing learning, such as a PgCert in a relevant subject, on-the-job training, or relevant experience in your career
• Work-based learning (WBL) projects: Most of your new learning will be done through WBL projects, where you'll practise new skills and develop your knowledge alongside your current role
• Learning modules: You can also study in a more formally-structured manner by joining in with the university's academic modules

Teaching

How you're taught will depend on which modules you take and the work-based learning projects you do. Most of the course is delivered via our interactive virtual learning environment, with access to all the study material you'll need, discussion forums, and the chance to connect with peers and lecturers via chat sessions.

Assessment

The way you're assessed will depend on which modules you take and the work-based learning projects you do.

Support While You Study

Types of Support

• Skills support: Extra support is available for skills including university study, getting into the right study mindset, note-taking and note-making skills, referencing, presentation skills, time management, planning, and goal setting, critical thinking, and avoiding plagiarism
• Additional support: If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support, and advice

Workplace Mentor

You'll have a Workplace Mentor chosen by you – someone at work who can offer advice, guidance, and moral support

Academic Tutor

You'll have an Academic Tutor specialising in your area of study

Learning Manager

You'll have a Learning Manager who oversees your programme

Apply

Ready to Apply?

When you're ready to start your application, choose your start date. You can study this course starting in either September or January each year. To apply for the upcoming courses, please follow the links below:

• September 2025 start
• January 2026 start

If you're interested in applying for a later entry point to this Master's, please email us on [insert email] and we'll contact you when your application period opens - that is, at the end of October for a January start course, or at the end of February for a course that begins in September.

If you'd like to discuss this course with us, you can join one of our weekly online sessions with a Learning at Work admissions officer. Contact [insert email] for details on joining.

Admissions Terms and Conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules, and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.

Recognition of Work-Based and Distance Learning Courses

Our Learning at Work degrees at levels 6 and 7 are approved by the University under its powers to award degrees. They comply with the Office for Students (OFS) and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) standards in the United Kingdom.

These qualifications are generally recognised internationally but as with distance learning type courses, each country will have its own regulations and rules on work-based and distance learning education. You should check with the qualification recognition authority in the country you reside in or intend to use the degrees to secure employment, that the Learning at Work degrees are recognised by them before you commit to studying with us.

We also strongly recommend you check that your employer recognises the value of our work-based/distance learning courses. Some countries, including Singapore, state the 'value of the qualification is subject to the employer'.

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