Program Overview

Occupational Health (Online)

Course Fact File

• Code: MSCOHL
• Duration: 22 Months Part-time
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Qualifications: MSc
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Closing Date: 15 July 2025
• Non-EU Closing Date: 30 June 2025
• Course Delivery Method: Online
• Start Date: 8 September 2025

Course Outline

UCC’s MSc Occupational Health is a part-time programme delivered wholly online, offering students a structured programme with a flexible mode of learning. The programme integrates occupational health and safety into a multidisciplinary perspective. It offers students the opportunity to study modern cutting-edge scientific concepts and research evidence on causation, prevention, and management of work-related accidents, injury, and disease.

• Public Health & Health Promotion
• Psychology
• Risk Assessment and Management
• Ergonomics & Safety Science
• Occupational Medicine and Hygiene
• Law
• Training and Development
• Epidemiology & Environmental Health

The format of the teaching is conducive to student networking and the sharing of knowledge and practical experience. In several modules, students will work with practical case studies and engage in project work, reflective inquiry, and discussion.

This 90-credit MSc in Occupational Health online programme meets the needs of the busy professional, offering a flexible, yet structured, approach to learning. The programme is designed to allow people to undertake their studies while working simultaneously with the intention to meet work, personal and academic requirements.

Course Practicalities

• The programme is a completed value of 90 credits.
• Each 10-credit module will be delivered over 8 weeks and 5-credit modules delivered over 4 weeks with one module being delivered at a time according to the pre-determined programme calendar.
• Each 10-credit module consists of an estimated student workload of 200 hours, and it is 100 hours for a 5-credit module.
• This consists of online:
  • Self-directed learning, required readings and subject investigation
  • E-tivities (e.g. student quizzes and regular participation in discussion boards)
  • Preparation of written and/or oral assignments

Assessment

A range of continuous assessments is used across the modules. These may include essays, case studies, online presentations, quizzes, accumulative report writing, reflective journal, and e-tivities.

Who teaches this course

The course is delivered by the School of Public Health staff in conjunction with the School of Law and the Centre for Adult Continuing Education at University College Cork.

Why Choose This Course

Why Study this Course?

This programme has been accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) which allows you to access IOSH Student Membership for the duration of your studies subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. On successful completion of this qualification, you will meet the academic requirements to progress your membership with IOSH.

Our programme integrates ‘classical’ occupational health and safety with ‘modern’ approaches applicable to a wide range of industries, the healthcare sector, and public administration. We address risk assessment and management of both psychosocial and physical hazards in the workplace.

Requirements

Candidates for the MSc programme in Occupational Health Online must meet one of the following criteria:

• A Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a relevant area, for example, a health-related field (such as Public Health, Nursing, Medicine, Environmental Health, Psychology/Behavioural Science, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy); a business-related field (such as Human Resource Management, Management and Law), engineering-related (such as Ergonomics, Systems Engineering) or science-related (such as Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science).
• A minimum of an NFQ Level 8 Diploma/Higher Diploma in Safety, Health and Welfare (minimum Second Class Honours, Grade 1), from UCC or an equivalent qualification from another Institution (NFQ Level 8 Diploma, minimum Second Class Honours Grade I) AND a minimum of one year's professional work experience in an area relevant to Occupational Health, Safety, Welfare and Wellbeing practice and/or research.
• Applicants with a minimum of three years of professional work experience and/or evidence of continuous professional development/ training in an associated area of Occupational Health, Safety, Welfare and well-being may be invited for an interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme, under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay?

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

How To Apply

1. Check dates
2. Gather documents
3. Apply online

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please upload your CV here.