MSc Occupational Hygiene / Course details

Our online blended learning MSc in Occupational Hygiene course will equip you with a wide range of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to work in areas related to occupational hygiene, culminating in an academic qualification accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).

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.

The postgraduate course in Occupational Hygiene delivers academic and practical training in occupational and industrial hygiene and health, aiming to develop a practitioner with:

• 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.

Expert teaching

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.

A range of study options

Choose from MSc 1 year full-time, 2 or 3 years part-time, PGDip 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, PGCert 1 year part-time.

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.

The online blended learning course comprises specially commissioned written materials, together with interactive teaching and learning methods, delivered on the University's virtual learning environment, Blackboard.

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 .

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.

You will be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.