Coronavirus information for applicants and offer-holders
We understand that prospective students and offer-holders may have concerns about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The University is following the advice from Universities UK, Public Health England and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Overview
- Degree awarded
- MSc
- Duration
- MSc 3 years PT
- Entry requirements
-
We require a good honours degree (Lower Second or above), preferably in a science discipline. In lieu of the usual entry requirements, extensive professional experience, coupled with evidence of further training or qualifications, will be considered.
- How to apply
Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | N | Y | N | N |
| PGDip | N | Y | N | N |
| PGCert | N | Y | N | N |
Course overview
- Learn how to recognise, evaluate and control hazards in the workplace, including chemical, physical and biological agents.
- Develop critical appraisal skills and the capacity to lead an occupational health team at a senior management level.
- Study when it suits you with online learning.
- Study at a university ranked 6th in the UK, 8 th in Europe and 27 th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2020).
- We offer a number of units as standalone credited CPD courses through our Public Health Professional Development programme.
- Accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society.
Open days
Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2021, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £5,600 per annum in year 1 and 2; £2,800 year 3
International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,200 per annum in year 1 and 2; Year 3 £5,100 -
PGDip (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £5,600 per annum
International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,200 per annum -
PGCert (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £5,600
International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,200
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition and administration costs during your studies.
Please note: The fees do not cover any costs for travel, accommodation, professional exams, etc.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for international students for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
A number of our students are sponsored by their employers or the governments of their home countries.
Additional expenses
The University permits applicants with comparable previous experience to submit an application for consideration of Accreditation Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L). The maximum AP(E)L is 15 credits to a PG Cert, 45 credits to a PG Dip and 60 credits to an MSc.
If your AP(E)L application is successful, the University charges £30 for every 15 credits of AP(E)L. The overall tuition fee is adjusted and then the administrative charge is applied.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Contact name
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 275 1798
- pgtaught.cbm@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/public-health-data/
- School/Faculty
-
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require a good honours degree (Lower Second or above), preferably in a science discipline. In lieu of the usual entry requirements, extensive professional experience, coupled with evidence of further training or qualifications, will be considered.
English language
Specifically, we require a minimum of:
- IELTS : minimum 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing
- TOEFL: 90 internet-based (with 22 in each component)
See further information about requirements for your country .
If the language of instruction of your first degree was English, but you obtained the degree from a university of a non-majority English-speaking country, the English language requirement may be waived for applicants on our Personal Professional Development CPD programme only, provided written evidence is submitted.
The Personal Professional Development CPD programme is not award-bearing and allows you to complete up to three units from the MPH syllabus. After successfully completing this level of the course, students can then be considered for progression to the award-bearing levels of our course through re-application.
English language test validity
Some English language test results are only valid for two years. Your English language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
Other international entry requirements
International students should note that attendance in Manchester is required at various times during your course of study. All examinations are held in either Manchester or at one of our Global Assessments Centres.
Relevant work experience
Other entry requirements
You will require regular access to a personal computer (Windows or Mac) with a stable internet connection. You should be confident in using the internet for web browsing, sending emails and using word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.
Application and selection
How to apply
Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.
Advice to applicants
- two academic references on letter headed paper or sent from work emails. Professional references can be provided in instances where you have been out of university for more than three years. We do not contact referees directly so please inform them yourself;
- copies of official degree certificates (with translations if not in English) if you have already graduated;
- copies of official university transcripts (with translations if not in English);
- a personal statement (approximately 300-500 words) about why you wish to take this course and how it will affect your personal and professional development. This statement should try and refer to your current role;
- full CV including voluntary experience;
- proof of English language proficiency (if required).
Supporting documents can be uploaded with the online application form or sent directly to pgtaught.cbm@manchester.ac.uk
After applying, please do not submit documents in any other way without telling us first so we can provide you with the most efficient service.
Please make sure you include your University ID number on any correspondence and do not send any documents before you have submitted your application.
How your application is considered
Your application will be reviewed by the Programme Director on receipt of all required supporting documentation.
Applicants are considered on an academic and relevant professional experience basis, based on all information provided.
Interview requirements
Deferrals
Re-applications
Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for the year of entry. In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved.
We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the university as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.
Course details
Course description
In the taught component of the course, the emphasis is on acquiring a thorough understanding of the theoretical principles and research methodologies underpinning the topic covered by each unit.
Completing the MSc dissertation is an opportunity to apply your knowledge and develop experience in research methods applied to a problem of particular interest to you. In this component the emphasis is on developing your critical appraisal skills and your capacity to demonstrate leadership and management of occupational health issues. Every student is allocated an experienced dissertation supervisor.
As a graduate of this course, you will have knowledge necessary to recognise, evaluate and control hazards in the workplace, including chemical, physical and biological agents.
Aims
- an appreciation of the skills necessary to recognise, evaluate and control hazardous substances in the workplace, encompassing hazards such as chemical, physical (eg noise, radiation), biological and ergonomic agents;
- knowledge of to the wide variety of aspects covered within the occupational hygiene discipline such as legislation, toxicological basis for standard setting, methods commonly used to evaluate hazardous agents, and related and overlapping health profession roles in worker health protection;
- an academic qualification that is accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS);
- level 7 academic and practical experience on which to build and extend your knowledge of occupational hygiene and health throughout your career.
The master's course aims to:
- encourage critical evaluation of occupational hygiene and exploration of other philosophical and practical approaches to minimising ill health in the workplace;
- develop skills in critical appraisal, analytical thinking and logical argument.
Special features
You will be taught by professionals working in the field of occupational health and hygiene using examples from local, national and international occupational hygiene. There is an emphasis on applying your learning to real occupational hygiene issues.
Flexible online blended learning
Most of the course content is delivered online, enabling you to fit study around other commitments. A residential induction is held in Manchester at the start of the course, but attendance is not compulsory. For certain units there are face-to-face sessions planned. You will be notified of these dates at the start of the course.Teaching and learning
Some of the course unit includes online tutorial time, providing an opportunity to re-address concepts and approaches to problem solving in discussion with both the tutor and your peers. A learning structure with a recommended pace is in place for each unit. All units are assessed through assignment/examination.
Some course units require your active participation throughout and compulsory attendance is required for some face-to-face elements.
Once you are enrolled with us we will provide you with a timetable of seminar days, workshop and examination dates.
Discover more about The University of Manchester's online and blended learning here .
Coursework and assessment
Taught course units have a variety of assignments and examinations at intervals throughout the course which may require attendance in Manchester or one of our Global Assessment Centres.
Course unit details
MSc students must complete eight compulsory units and the dissertation (180 credits).
Students can choose from a range of dissertation models to suit their work situation and interest. Students submit a proposal for review and discussion. When approved they are assigned an experienced dissertation supervisor.
PGDip and PGCert qualifications are exit awards only.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control Of Workplace Hazards | POPH60160 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Hazardous Substances | POPH63180 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Understanding Physical Agents | POPH68820 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Fitness for Work | POPH68860 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Foundation for Postgraduate Practice | POPH68880 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Research Methods and Data Analysis (Occupational Hygiene) | POPH68900 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Health and Workability (Occupational Hygiene) | POPH68940 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Management of Workplace Hazards (Occupational Hygiene) | POPH68990 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Dissertation for Occupational Medicine and Occupational Hygiene | POPH69000 | 60 | Mandatory |
Facilities
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .
Careers
Career opportunities
This is a highly desirable skill set as occupational and industrial hygienists are employed in a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing and petrochemical industries, mining, aerospace, retail, hospitality and healthcare businesses.
Our course combines the academic and practical aspects of worker health protection to help your career development in occupational health and industrial hygiene.
Information on careers in Occupational Hygiene with links to the British Occupational Hygiene Society are available here .
Accrediting organisations
The MSc is accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).
Students who successfully pass the MSc or PGDip (early exit point) are eligible to commence on the BOHS pathway to Chartered Membership of the FOH.
The MSc qualification exempts graduates from one element of the Chartered Membership assessment process.