MSc Occupational Safety & Health

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

With society's focus intensifying on health, including workers’ health, the Centre for Safety and Health at Work (CSHW) continues to meet the needs of industry using blended online platforms and flexible teaching programmes to cover key contemporary issues.

This MSc in OSH part-time programme is especially designed for graduates who have experience in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), who have not previously achieved a higher level qualification in the area.  At the end of the programme, you will have developed the ability to develop and implement health and safety management and risk management systems relevant to the OSH needs of your professional discipline; professional and academic writing skills; self-management and self-directive skills and research skills.

  • The MSc in OSH part-time programme is designed to be completed over two full years (six trimesters), September to Mid July each year. 
  • The provisionally scheduled Orientation day for 2024/25 intake, is 6th September, 2024.
  • The programme covers a range of multidisciplinary topics relevant to Occupational Safety and Health. Subjects covered include Legislation, Occupational Health, Occupational Hygiene, Human and Organisational Behaviour at Work, Health and Safety Management and Safety Technology
  • Assignments, project work and self-directed learning are required during the summer semester between the two academic years of study. You will complete your dissertation during the summer semester at the end of the second academic year. 
  • Lectures from core modules will normally be held on Fridays (9 am-5 pm) in Year 1 and on Tuesdays (9 am-5 pm) in Year 2.
  • Thesis supervision in Year 2 takes place outside of scheduled programme times/days. 
  • Assessment strategies include continuous assessment, assignments and projects.

Careers & Employability

There is currently an abundance of richly rewarding opportunities for those qualified in health and safety management. The MSc in OSH programme is designed for graduates who have a professional interest, or growing responsibility, in the area of OSH. Our graduates can be found in national and global organisations across a number of industries. Many embark on careers as consultants and others are in senior positions in public and private sector industries.

Curricular information is subject to change


Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

The MSc in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a multidisciplinary graduate programme, designed for graduates who are engaged in OSH, who have not previously achieved a higher qualification in OSH

Please note:

  • You should be an honours graduate (2.1 or above) of an Irish level 8 degree, or international equivalent, in a cognate discipline.
  • You should  be in full or part-time  employment with at least three years work experience at the time of application.
  • Priority is given to applicants who are active in Occupational Safety and Health.
  • You will be required to supply transcripts of your primary degree and supporting documents at the time of your application.

the purpose of the UCD MSc in Occupational Safety and Health Programme is to educate graduates from cognate disciplines to proactively manage prevailing occupational safety and health risks, to design effective solutions and become leaders in embedding a health and safety culture in the working environment, and to use an evidence-base to integrate up-to-date health and safety principles, practice and legal frameworks into professional practice. Learning takes place in a class-room environment in UCD, with some online-learning interaction, through live face-to-face engagement with peers and leading experts, including academics, regulatory authorities and multidisciplinary industry experts.  For working students, experiential learning and application of learning also takes place at work. Teaching methods include face-to-face lectures and small-group classes, group work and supervision.  Continuous assessment (formative and summative) is problem-based and work-situated, and end-of-module examinations are also held. This high quality programme is based on the values of adult-friendliness, work-relatedness, research-focused, evidence-base, and professional relevance. This programme can be taken full or part-time.

At the end of the programme, students wil have developed the ability to develop, implement and continuously improve occupational safety and health management and risk management systems in the workplace, utilising:

  • professional and academic writing skills;
  •  self-management and self-directive skills; and
  • research skills.

View All Modules Here

Modules include:

  • Safety and Health Legislation
  • Health and Safety Management
  • OSH Literature Review Methods
  • Occupational Health
  • Occupational Hygiene
  • Human and Organisational Behaviour at Work
  • Research Methods (OSH)
  • Chemical Safety and Toxicology
  • Safety Technology
  • Dissertation (OSH)

Detailed information on individual modules is available on the UCD Course Search page

MSc Occupational Safety & Health (X061) Part Time
EU          fee per credit - € 117
nonEU    fee per credit - € 172.8
EU          fee per credit - € 117 aa
nonEU    fee per credit - € 172.8

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2024 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2023/24
***Fees are subject to change

 Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website

The MSc in OSH programme is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) as the academic requirement for graduate membership. Subject to experience and other entry requirements, MSc in OSH graduates may become a chartered member of the Institute (CMIOSH) and use the title Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner.  There is also an opportunity to apply for IOSH student membership. Further information about applying for both IOSH student and graduate membership is available here.

International Applicants typically apply for the MSc in OSH FT  Contact us at cshw@ucd.ie if any queries.

  • You should normally be an honours graduate (2.1 or above) of an Irish level 8 degree, or international equivalent, in a cognate discipline

  • You should  be in full or part-time  employment

  • You should have at least three years work experience at the time of application

  • Priority is given to applicants who are active in Occupational Safety and Health

  • You will be required to supply transcripts of your primary degree and the supporting documents at the time of your application. 

For testimonials our OSH alumni, please visit our CSHW Alumni page and the slider panels on our main website page on our website.

The following entry routes are available:

MSc Occupational Safety & Health PT (X061)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
31-JUL-24

You apply using the UCD online application system. The closing date for 2024/25 applications is 31st July 2024.

Simply click here  and follow the instructions. Completed applications will be assessed promptly. Before you submit your application, please ensure you upload the relevant documents and provide information that is requested to support your application. 

As part of your application, you must submit the following online:

  • A CV (maximum 2 pages).
  • A personal statement of approximately 500 words. Your personal statement should focus on a) your interest in OSH, b) how you expect the programme will impact on your career and c) how you plan to balance your work, life and study commitments. (Please use these headings).
  • Copies of your degree parchments as well as full transcripts of your results.
  • Two references, one academic, and one from an employer, signed and on headed paper.
  • If your first language is not English, you must submit the original certificate of completion of an English test.
  • Please note, your application will be reviewed after all the necessary documents are submitted. An online non-refundable application fee applies. 
  • Eligible candidates deemed to be considered for the MSc in OSH PT may be interviewed.
  • Canvassing by applicants, or any other person on their behalf, will disqualify.