Overview
- Degree awarded
- MSc, (PGDip, PGCert exit awards) and CPD
- Duration
- MSc 1 year full-time, MSc 2 or 3 years part-time
- Entry requirements
-
We require a medical degree from an approved institution. No experience in occupational medicine is necessary.
- 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 | N | Y | Y |
| PGDip | N | N | N | Y |
| PGCert | N | N | N | Y |
Course overview
- Join the largest and longest standing course for postgraduate occupational medicine and hygiene in the UK.
- Study at the only university in the world to rank top ten in the Times Higher Education impact rankings six years running.
- Follow a syllabus approved by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) London and the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).
- Undertake a dissertation (as part of your MSc) to meet learning your the research learning outcome of the Occupational Medicine Specialty Training Curriculum
- Develop critical appraisal skills and the capacity to lead an occupational health team at a senior management level.
- Recognise and evaluate the impact of work on health and health on work including fitness for work, understanding workplace hazards and workplace risk management.
- Study when it suits you with our full-time or part-time online blended learning courses.
- Credit bearing CPD is also available to prepare medical practitioners for the FOM Diploma in Occupational Medicine (DOccMed).
Open days
The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses. On this day, you will find out more about the course and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have. For more information, see Open days .
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (full-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £14,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): £30,000 -
MSc (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £5,800 for year 1 and 2, and £2,900 for year 3
International, including EU, students (per annum): £12,000 for year 1 and 2, and £6,000 for year 3 -
PGDip (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £5,800
International, including EU, students (per annum): £12,000 -
PGCert (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £2,900
International, including EU, students (per annum): £6,000
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Students opting for MSc 1 year full-time or 2 year part-time course of study could qualify for a PGT loan from the UK government. Please see our university pages or contact admissions.
Students studying our MSc programme 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 our 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, off campus venues, 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 PGCert, 45 credits to a PGDip 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).
Scholarships/sponsorships
For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.
A limited number of Equity and Merit scholarships are available to applicants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Please visit the Equity and Merit scholarships page for full details.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Contact name
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 529 4563
- pgtaught.cbm@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/masters/
- 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 medical degree from an approved institution. No experience in occupational medicine is necessary.
English language
International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof from applicants from non-majority English-speaking countries (a list of majority English speaking countries, are by the UK Home Office ).
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 .
English language test validity
Other international entry requirements
International students should note that attendance in Manchester may be encouraged (but not mandatory) for the Practical Occupational Hygiene course during your programme of study. This is to ensure you get the most out of the professional training.
Please contact the programme admissions team for confirmation of any on-campus events in this academic year pgtaught.cbm@manchester.ac.uk
Other entry requirements
You will require access to a laptop or desktop (Windows or Mac) with a stable internet connection. You should be confident in using the internet for web browsing and sending emails and also 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
Your application form must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:
- 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) if you have not yet graduated;
- 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
Interview requirements
Deferrals
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
Our online blended learning MSc Occupational Medicine course will equip you with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to work in occupational health, culminating in an academic qualification.
The course is aimed at GPs who want to gain an academic qualification in occupational medicine and doctors already working in the field, including those in specialist training posts and those undertaking the portfolio (formely CESR) route, who want to prepare for professional exams with the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM).
The course is also suitable for clinically trained doctors in other disciplines who have an interest in occupational medicine.
Students studying our MSc programme can choose to complete 8 taught units (15 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits) or 10 taught units (15 credits each) and a critical literature review (30 credits).
Students wishing to complete a PGCert or a PGDip should enrol on the MSc and exit after 4 taught units (PGCert) or after 8 taught units (PGDip) with an option to return within five years to complete the MSc if desired.
In the taught unit 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.
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 individual, experienced supervisor. This component has an emphasis on developing your critical appraisal and analysis skills, and enabling you to demonstrate leadership and management of occupational health issues.
Certain aspects of the course also link closely to the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) curriculum giving you a unique opportunity to interact with students studying to be occupational hygienists and develop professional links as an occupational physician. This includes the opportunity to attend our on campus practical occupational hygiene and health assessment course.
PhD with integrated master's
If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.
You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.
Aims
This course aims to provide you with the core knowledge required by medical practitioners working in the field of occupational medicine, and to allow you to pursue an academic qualification in this subject.
We will teach you the rudiments of research methods, critical appraisal and critical objectivity to foster life-long skills that will enable you to assess and make evidence based decisions.
Special features
You will be taught by occupational health academics, occupational physicians, occupational health professionals, chartered occupational hygienists and various chartered and medically qualified and clinically trained professionals working in the field of occupational health. Our teaching encompasses current and real world occupational health and hygiene issues, worker health management and protection, leadership and management.
Flexible online blended learning
All of the course content, including the semester welcome events and tutorials/seminars, is delivered online, enabling you to fit study around other commitments. An on-campus occupational hygiene practical course is offered during your study and is held in Manchester but attendance is not compulsory. You will be notified of key dates at the start of the course.
Society of Occupational Medicine
As a student of occupational medicine you can 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.
The teaching and research academics on MSc Occupational Medicine and Occupational Hygiene also work closely with the British Occupational Hygiene Society and most are members of the Society.
Teaching and learning
The online blended learning course comprises specially commissioned online materials, together with interactive teaching and learning methods, delivered on the University's virtual learning environment, Blackboard.
You will learn from experienced occupational health professionals, occupational hygienists, epidemiologists and environmental exposure experts.
Course units include online live and recorded lectures and seminars, and online tutorial time, providing an opportunity to explore 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.
All our lectures, seminars and tutorials are delivered online. Our Practical Occupational Hygiene course is delivered on campus in Manchester each Spring. This is optional but we strongly recommend attendance. Students find the course highly beneficial. It is included in your course fee. Travel costs associated with visiting campus are not included.
Once you are enrolled with us we will provide you with a timetable of our online welcome and seminar days, workshops, tutorials and assessment dates.
Coursework and assessment
Taught course units have a variety of assignments and examinations at intervals throughout the course.
Support is available from the course tutors alongside a comprehensive reading list online resource. You will have full student access to The University of Manchester Library, one of only five national research libraries with more than 4 million printed books, manuscripts and 50,000 unique electronic journals and 800,000 electronic books. With access to several hundred databases, this is one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK.Course unit details
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)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Methods and Data Analysis | POPH68802 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Management of Occupationally Related Disease | POPH68811 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Understanding Physical Agents | POPH68821 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Stress, Work and Organisational Factors | POPH68832 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to work-related ill health (September) | POPH68861 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Fundamentals of Occupational Health | POPH68881 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Occupational Health Management | POPH68892 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Health Promotion Theory & Methods | POPH60021 | 15 | Optional |
| Working with Communities | POPH60072 | 15 | Optional |
| Economic Evaluation in Healthcare | POPH60092 | 15 | Optional |
| Displaying 10 of 31 course units | |||
| Display all course units | |||
Scholarships and bursaries
For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.
What our students say
Kirsty Wilson, AFOM, NHS trainee in occupational medicine.
Comments from our on-campus Occupational Hygiene course
'I wouldn’t normally get to see these topics in action in my current role. It is useful for AFOM learning as well.'
“It was an excellent opportunity to connect with other health professionals. I felt welcome from the offset. As a practical learner I found it a very enjoyable experience.”
'All the sessions were very well organised. The topics were really useful, with a good amount of hands on learning.'
“I found the practical session of the noise exposure measurement, thermal comfort and air sampling very real and useful. I also found the incorporation of statistics teaching at the workshop very helpful for my research. I was able to meet other students in the profession of occupational health.”
Facilities
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .
CPD opportunities
A credit bearing CPD study option is available if you want to prepare for the FOM's Diploma in Occupational Medicine (DOccMed) examination. Should you wish to continue onto our MSc you will be required to pass the summative assessments for POPH68881(2) and POPH68861(2) or provide evidence of successful completion of the FOM's DOccMed so that you can APL the 30 credits for these units.
This MSc has the option of interrupting your studies or exiting early (with an option to return within five years).
Careers
Career opportunities
Upon successful completion of your MSc, the dissertation may be modified (to comply with the regulations), for higher professional qualification in Occupational Medicine via the MFOM or portfolio (formerly CESR) routes.
We will show you best practice in the evaluation, management and prevention of occupational disease for worker health protection and workplace health improvement. We combine the academic and practical aspects of worker health protection to help your career development in occupational medicine relevant to many sectors, including healthcare and other public sector activities, manufacturing and petrochemical industries, mining, aerospace, and retail.
Associated organisations
- Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM)
- Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM)
- British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)
- Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)