Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

1. To provide students with a systematic understanding of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) knowledge and critical awareness of current OSH-related problems, which will serve as the academic basis for Chartered membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
2. To foster students’ mastery of a range of technical and non-technical skills appropriate to the practice of Occupational Health and Safety.
3. To enable students to deploy sophisticated knowledge, analysis, skills and strategies to manage Occupational Health and Safety effectively in a variety of organisational contexts, both systematically and creatively.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Programme conforms to the benchmarks published by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Quality Code for Higher Education in respect of Masters awards (October 2014). The programme also conforms to the standards required for nominated categories of membership of the Institution of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH).

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

K1 The complexity of hazards and risks found in workplaces, with a critical awareness of how these operate to cause harm and how this can be prevented.

K2 The regulatory frameworks relevant to occupational health and safety Management, with critical appreciation of requirements and how to achieve compliance.

K3 The features of effective occupational health and safety management systems, along with detailed insight into the human factors and organisational aspects affecting their operation.

K4 The uses and limitations of a range of research methods/techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, relevant to occupational health and safety management.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1 Critically apply the legal framework to a complex range of occupational health and safety situations.

C2 Critically evaluate a range of tools, establishing practical criteria in respect of the tolerability of individual and organisational risk.

C3 Critically evaluate the effectiveness of occupational health and safety interventions across a range of occupational health and safety contexts.

C4 Draw on the knowledge they have gained, using this as a basis for reflective practice to inform their subsequent careers as occupational health and safety practitioners.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1 Communicate effectively and negotiate with a range of occupational health and safety stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.

P2 Create, identify and evaluate options and to select from these in order to become a skilled decision-maker in relation to occupational health and safety management.

P3 Demonstrate advanced competency and self-mastery in a range of tools and technologies relevant to the practice of Occupational Health and Safety practice.

P4 Use a range of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse situations and provide a range of solutions to occupational health and safety related problems.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1 Analyse and solve complex problems, clarify questions, consider alternative solutions, make sound decisions and evaluate outcomes.

T2 Make reasoned judgements in the absence of complete data and communicate clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

T3 Work within and develop new teams, sharing and co-ordinating tasks with others, agree common goals and methods to achieve them, coordinating activities.

T4 Engage in independent learning and skill development, exercising initiative and personal responsibility as required for continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

4.1 Compulsory modules (180 credits) 

4.1.1 MSc Direct Entry (180 credits)

Compulsory modules for students studying the MSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management with direct entry on to the programme: 

Year 1 - Semester 1

Year 1 - Semester 2 

* By distance learning 

Year 2 - Semester 1

* By distance learning

Year 2 - Semester 1 and Semester 2 

† partially by distance learning (>50%)

Year 2 - Semester 2 and Semester 3 (MSc Only) 

4.1.2 MSc Exemption Entry Modules (120 credits)

Compulsory modules for students studying the MSc in Occupational Health and Safety programme with 60 credit exemption for holders of recognised diploma. 

Semester 1 

Semester 1 and Semester 2

† partially by distance learning (>50%) 

Semester 2 and Semester 3

Exemptions

Students holding the diploma in Occupational Safety and Health as awarded by:

i) The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health

(National or International Diploma) and accredited by the QCA and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health; or

ii) The British Safety Council Level 6 Diploma, and accredited by the QCA and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health; or

iii) another Higher Education Institute accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

may be admitted to the Programme and given exemption from modules DSP150, DSP151, DSP152, DSP153, DSP154 and awarded 60 credits transfer for their existing award.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

N/A