MSc Occupational Hygiene

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We require a good honours degree (Lower Second or above), preferably in a science discipline. If you do not have a science background, please contact pgtaught.cbm@manchester.ac.uk. Our admissions team will refer you to our programme director. In lieu of the usual entry requirements, extensive professional experience, coupled with evidence of further training or qualifications, will be considered.

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 CPD programme provided written evidence is submitted.

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.

International students should note that attendance in Manchester may be encouraged for the Practical Occupational Hygiene course during your course of study. This is to ensure you get the most out of the professional practical training.

Please contact the programme admissions team for confirmation of any on-campus events this academic year pgtaught.cbm@manchester.ac.uk

This course is open to graduates with relevant first degrees, usually in science or health related disciplines, and to those with appropriate work experience who might not have a relevant first degree.

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.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time distance learning)
  UK students (per annum): £15,200
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £30,500
• MSc (part-time distance learning)
  UK students (per annum): £6,080 for year 1 and 2, and £3,040 for year 3
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £12,200 for year 1 and 2, and £6,100 for year 3
• PGDip (part-time distance learning)
  UK students (per annum): £6,100
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £12,200
• PGCert (part-time distance learning)
  UK students (per annum): £3,000
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £6,100

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

UK students opting for MSc 1 year full-time or 2 year part-time course of study may qualify for a PGT loan from the UK government. Please see our university pages or contact admissions.

Students studying our MSc course over 3 years part-time may also be eligible for a postgraduate loan if there is no other suitable full time equivalent course available in the UK at the time of application. Please contact admissions for more information.

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.

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 a minimum administration fee for every 15 credits of AP(E)L. The overall tuition fee is adjusted and then the administrative charge is applied.

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).

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Equity and Merit Scholarships are for academically excellent students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in their home countries.

The awards are intended for those who cannot afford to study in Manchester without a scholarship. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and all applications are considered on their merit. We particularly encourage women to apply. To apply for a scholarship for this programme under this scheme you must be looking to study a part-time, distance learning master's (three to five years duration).

The MSc Occupational Hygiene can be studied part time with a 3 year study option. There are 30 scholarships (20 for full-time study and ten for online study) available each year for a range of courses in engineering, environment, health sciences, development, education, textiles and law.

The scheme is open to applicants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

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.

The teaching and research academics on the MSc Occupational Hygiene work closely with the British Occupational Hygiene Society, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and the National School of Occupational Health.

As a University of Manchester student you can join the BOHS free of charge. We recommend joining the Society as soon as you register to benefit from the extensive events and networking opportunities offered by BOHS each year to help with your career development.

As a student of occupational hygiene you can also join the Society of Occupational Medicine which is open to health professionals working in occupational health. The teaching team are also members of this Society.

Our content is focused on occupational and industrial hygiene and health, where you will learn about the causes of work-related ill health, the scientific principles and practice of occupational exposure assessment and the control measures for a wide range of hazards to prevent a multitude of ill health effects.

You will study in-depth the impacts of occupationally-related disease and the factors of occupational hygiene assessment, management and leadership important in exposure control and occupational health management.

Students are required to complete the following for the award of:

• MSc - you must complete 8 taught units (120 credits) and the Dissertation (60 credits = total of 180 credits) or 10 taught units (150 credits) and the Critical Literature Review (30 credits = total of 180 credits)
• Postgraduate Diploma - you must complete 8 taught units (120 credits)
• Postgraduate Certificate - you must complete 4 taught units (60 credits)

If you opt to undertake a dissertation, you can choose from a range of dissertation models to suit your work situation and interest. You will submit a proposal (outlining your chosen topic for the dissertation or the critical literature review) for review and discussion. When approved you are assigned an experienced dissertation supervisor.

The dissertation or critical literature review component gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and develop experience in research methods applied to a problem of particular interest to you, supported by an experienced supervisor. This component has an emphasis on developing your critical appraisal and analysis skills, enabling you to demonstrate leadership and management of occupational health issues.

If you opt to undertake a dissertation, you can choose from a range of dissertation models to suit your work situation and interest. You will submit a proposal (outlining your chosen topic for the dissertation or the critical literature review) for review and discussion. When approved you are assigned an experienced dissertation supervisor.

PGDip and PGCert qualifications are available as exit awards only.

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .

Our CPD in Occupational Hygiene is supported by the British Occupational Hygiene Society. If you are interested in the CPD course you will study two of our 15 credit units which, if you successfully complete each unit this will entitle you to exemption from the BOHS Modules M501 and M505. Successful completion of these units will also result in the award of 30 credits at MSc level, which entitles you to enrol onto our Postgraduate programme in Occupational Hygiene.

To search for CPD opportunities please visit our CPD page.

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 Faculty of Occupational Hygiene.

Successful completion of your MSc or PGDip programme will entitle you to exemption from BOHS modules M501 Measurement of Hazardous Substances course and M505 Control of Hazardous Substances course, subject to meeting all compulsory workshop attendance requirements.

Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM).

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Society of Occupational Medicine.

National School for Occupational Health.