Join our Postgraduate Open Day - Wednesday 20 March

Register now

Health, Safety and Environment Management MSc/Diploma

Start date
September
Duration
MSc: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time; Diploma: 1 year full-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development, Taught
Fees

£10,530 FT (UK students)
£29,340 (International Students)
More detail

 

In this video, one of our students, Jessy Jessa, talks about why he chose to study this course, and why the University of Birmingham.

Our Health, Safety and Environment Management MSc is  accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and students (IOSH) and students will be eligible to apply for graduate-level membership on completion of the programme.

IOSH_Accredited Programme__Colour LandscapeOur Health, Safety and Environment Management MSc is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and upon successful completion, graduates will meet the academic requirements for certified-level membership. In addition to the academic requirements, graduates will also need 2 years relevant work experience to progress to certified membership.

The programme recognises the increasing demand from both industry and enforcement agencies to integrate occupational health, safety and environmental issues.

Subjects studied include the following:

Semester 1

  • Health, Safety and Environment Management (online)
  • Assessing and Controlling Workplace Health
  • Environmental Protection and Climate Change
  • Research Methods (MSc students only)

Semester 2

  • Health, Safety and Environment Leadership (online)
  • Organisational Factors for Health and Safety
  • Chemical and Biological Incident Management
  • Safety Technology

From the organisation of the taught modules to thought-provoking field trips, learning was enhanced both practically and theoretically. The University of Birmingham should be your first, second and third choice if you wish to study in the UK, not only because of its commitment to excellence, but also its commitment to your wellbeing.

Welma Kladé Neufville, Chevening scholar, MSc Health, Safety and Environment Management alumna

Why study this course?

This course aims to teach the science and practice of occupational health, safety and environmental control in the context of a team approach. On successful completion of the programme, students should be in a position to identify, evaluate and provide solutions to a wide range of health, safety and/or environmental problems, and function well in a multi-disciplinary team. The comprehensive syllabus recognises the importance of technical and practical skills as well as the need for good management skills and critical thinking.

Accreditation

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the professional body which accredits the programmes. The University follows the framework syllabus set by IOSH and there is regular contact between the University and IOSH.

Modules

The MSc is offered on a full-time (one-year) and part-time (two-year) basis. The Postgraduate Diploma is only available full-time (one-year). 

All modules are compulsory.

Health, Safety and Environment Management (online)

This module is designed to strengthen the management skills of students and current practitioners in Health, Safety and Environment disciplines - as well as Business and Management - to equip them as senior managers of the future. It will also enhance knowledge on the critical role and complexity of health, safety and environment issues and procedures in the context of local and global challenges. Topics covered include business resilience including financial aspects, teamwork, managing mental health and wellbeing, and stakeholder Engagement.

Health, Safety and Environment Leadership (online)

This module is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of students and current practitioners in Health, Safety and Environment disciplines - as well as Business and Management - to equip them as innovative and compassionate leaders of the future. It will also enhance knowledge on the critical role and complexity of health, safety and environment issues in the context of local and global challenges. Topics covered include change management, strategy development, conflict management, and collaboration, negotiation and influencing.

Environmental Protection and Climate Change

This module will develop students' appreciation of key concepts that link environmental science, ecology, pollution of the environment and human health and wellbeing. They will develop an understanding of the scientific, technical, socio-economic, political and legal factors which influence climate change, environmental quality and safety and the mechanisms and partnership strategies available to effect change. Students will also gain an understanding of the sources, modes of transport and effects of pollution; and how pollution may be controlled in order to protect human health and the environment. Basic applied field and laboratory techniques for assessing environmental pollution will also be covered.

Chemical and Biological Incident Management

The objectives of this module are to enable students to understand the causes of chemical and biological incidents; introduce methods of assessing the impacts of incidents; and develop a practical approach to managing and solving problems caused by chemical and biological incidents.

Assessment and Control of Occupational Risks

This practically based module will provide students with an introduction to the role and interface of occupational health professionals. It will enable students to recognise, evaluate and control a comprehensive range of hazards found in the workplace. The opportunity to study in detail specific occupational diseases will be afforded, for example, dermatitis and occupational cancer. Practical sessions will provide the opportunity to devise, implement and evaluate monitoring programmes for biological, chemical, physical and radioactive workplace hazards. The principal methods to control and to mitigate the impact of occupational hazards on the worker will be identified. There will be an assessment of the current UK and international occupational health standards together with a study of legal controls.

Organisational Factors for Health and Safety

This module will commence with a consideration of the legal requirements for safety management. There will be consideration of the legal relationship between employer and employee, which will include a review of the current case law relating to civil liability. There will be a review of occupational accident and ill health data and its relevance as a management tool will be evaluated. Theories of accident causation will be examined and management strategies to prevent accidents will be considered. In particular the role of the individual and the organisation will be explored. Quantitative and qualitative risk assessment methods will be studied. The philosophy of the management of controls to prevent accidents will be considered.

Safety Technology

This module will examine the integrity of machinery, plant and structures including the causes and consequences of failure and a consideration of preventative measures. The hazards arising from machinery, plant premises and processes will be evaluated and the technological and scientific principles which can be applied to remove or control the subsequent risk will be studied in detail. The following areas will also be considered with respect to their relevance to workplace safety; movement of people and materials, electricity and fire. Relevant legislative controls will be studied.

Dissertation

This module will provide students with the underpinning skills necessary for them to successfully undertake an MSc research dissertation. Students will gain an understanding of processes needed to plan, implement and evaluate a research-based study. In particular there will be sessions looking at hypothesis and research question generation, survey design, sampling strategies, qualitative approaches, literature searching and evaluation, and an introduction to some basic statistical techniques. Students will be expected to formulate their project ideas and to write their research protocols.

An in-depth project will be submitted in the form of a dissertation or research paper. Research can use a variety of methods, including mixed approaches.


Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees for 2024/25

  • Code 039D: MSc UK students £10,530 FT
  • Code 039D: MSc International students £29,340 FT only
  • Code 041D: PGDip UK students £7,020 FT
  • Code 041D: PGDip International students £19,560 FT

Learn more about fees and funding.


Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Scholarships and studentships

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

We are offering over 200 awards of £2,000 to support the brightest and best applicants wishing to undertake Masters study at the University during 2024-2025.

Find out more and apply now  

Postgraduate Progression Award

Our Postgraduate Progression Awards offer final year undergraduates at the University of Birmingham a fee discount of £1,500 for postgraduate taught study.

Find out more and apply now  

Our database contains details of postgraduate taught and research scholarship and funding opportunities available to support your studies at the University of Birmingham. Find out more. 

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

For further information contact the School directly or get in touch with the Funding, Graduation & Awards via the online enquiries system.

How To Apply

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

Entry on to the courses requires a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline.

Learn more about entry requirements.

International Requirements



International Students

English language requirements

Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band)


  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component

Formal lectures; group work; case studies; practical simulations; industrial/commercial visits; and student centred learning.

Assessment Methods

Assessments are in the form of multiple choice tests, written assessments, presentations, reports, group work and research dissertations.

On completion of this course you will be in a position to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and suggest control measures in a range of situations. These skills are valued internationally by a range of employers including consultancies, commercial companies, government bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations. The course is accredited by IOSH.