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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety (MSc/HDip)
Course Overview
Our Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) programmes prepare graduates to be competent practitioners in workplace safety, exposure assessment, worker health & wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Our programmes are Internationally accredited to professional bodies such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health UK (IOSH), the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and the Irish Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), which means that this postgraduate qualification is recognised internationally.
This programme’s objective is to provide you with a high-quality qualification in the multidisciplinary area of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), enabling you to take on managerial responsibilities within industry, or work with a regulatory agency or consultancy. The minor research thesis may be completed at the student’s place of work or in collaboration with Univesrity of Galway-based researchers.The programme is also recognised by the Health and Safety Authority.
International accreditations
This programme has been accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Students can access IOSH Student Membership for the duration of their studies and, on successful completion, they will meet the academic requirements for Graduate (Grad IOSH) membership. Graduate membership is the gateway to Chartered status. As IOSH is the only organisation in the world that offers Chartered membership to health and safety practitioners, this can help you achieve the highest professional standards and gain international recognition.
This programme has been accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). Degree accreditation by BOHS recognises programmes that prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills required for good practice in the occupational hygiene profession. The accreditation criteria require the programme to meet specific learning outcomes. Degree accreditation by BOHS provides eligibility for Associate Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene and following a qualifying period of professional experience, provides access to the pathways to Licentiate or Chartered Membership by entitling the graduate to certain exemptions.
Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
There is continuous assessment via laboratory practicals and assignment work throughout the year. Written examinations, and minor thesis (MSc only).
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
HDip: The minimum entry requirement is a BSc (general) degree or the possession of a primary degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the College of Science and Engineering for the purpose of this Diploma (e.g., RGN). Final selection may be made on the basis of an interview.
MSc: The minimum entry requirement is an Honours BSc degree, or its equivalent in an appropriate discipline, as determined by the College of Science and Engineering . Students without an adequate academic background but with relevant work experience may be required to attend for interview.
As both programmes are Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland Category 11 approved courses, nurses applying to undertake either programme must have active registration in a division maintained by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Next start date
September 2024
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
15—MSc; 5—HDip
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
Please refer to the review/closing date website.
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
90 MSc, 60 HDip
Award
CAO
Course code
MSC-OEH; HDIP-OES
Course Outline
Students will study Environmental Health and Safety topics such as; Environmental Health and Safety Law, Environmental Health and Safety Management, Auditing, Waste Management, Occupational Hygiene, Environmental Monitoring, Occupational Health, Environmental Health, Ergonomics and Environmental Technologies. Students will be introduced to relevant domain experts through seminars, team-based project and workplace visits.
Students are also required to undertake advanced studies in one of the subject areas, to prepare them for their minor research thesis. The programme content is delivered using various teaching methods such as lectures, laboratory work, work place visits and a minor research thesis.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
There is continuous demand for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) graduates nationally and internationally. The employment record for our graduates is excellent. Graduates are employed as EHS professionals and Mangers, Occupational Hygienists, Ergonomists, Health and Safety Engineers, Consultants and Advisors across a range of sectors including, pharmachem, medical device and healthcare, as well as statutory bodies, local authorities and Consulting firms nationally and internationally.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€8,040 full-time; €4,005 part-time p.a. 2023/24
Fees: Tuition
€7,900 full-time; €3,900 part-time p.a. 2023/24
Fees: Student levy
€140 full-time; €105 part-time p.a. 2023/24
Fees: Non EU
€25,090 p.a. 2023/24
HDip: Non EU Fee €14,490, EU Fee €6,840 p.a. 2023/24
HDip Part Time: EU Fee €3,455 p.a. 2023/24
SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.
Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.
Find out More
Dr Marie Coggins
E: marie.coggins@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/ohs
What Our Students Say
Michelle Leahy | Graduate, now working for QHSE Lead, Oilfield Solutions
On completion of the Masters programme, I was fortunate to join Oilfield Solutions, at their head office in Naas. They provide specialist engineering services to the global Oil and Gas, Power Generation and Energy Industries. My role as QHSE Lead allows me to combine my occupational and environmental health and safety knowledge with previous international Oil and Gas industry experience in a challenging and rewarding environment.
Niamh Goff | MSc Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety Graduate
Coming from a nursing background, the MSc program allowed me to further develop my knowledge in occupational health but also sparked my interest in workplace environmental, health & safety management. Since qualifying, I have worked as an EHS Advisor for an engineering company on large Datacentre construction projects in Germany and as a Consultant in a leading sustainability consultancy. The knowledge I gained throughout the course gave me the confidence and information needed to be able to work on exciting projects across a range of sectors and with some of the top Tech, Pharmaceutical and Chemical companies in Europe. I recently decided to focus more in the Datacentre industry and am now working as an EHS Program Manager with Google in Germany. The opportunities in EHS are endless and I highly recommend this course as a great career decision!
Declan Foster | MSc in Occupational Health & Safety and Ergonomics
Working in a Covid-19 test centre highlighted the critical role Health and Safety plays in protecting oneself, colleagues and the general public. This sparked my interest in pursuing a career in Health and Safety. As I draw towards the end of this MSc, I do not question my decision to undertake this qualification at NUI Galway as the curriculum reflects the broadness of the Health and Safety discipline, covering aspects from ergonomics to lab-based measurement. This diversity, coupled with expert, up-to-date lecturing, assures me that I will have the necessary skills and knowledge for a career as a health and safety professional upon graduation. As this course has introduced me to such a wide range of exciting topic areas, my difficulty will be in choosing one to pursue as a career.
Dr. David I. Osime | MSc Occupational Health and Safety
I am currently in the Master of Science programme, Occupational Health and Safety (ful-ltime). I took time off General Practice in the hospital to study this course as its practice is suddenly gaining a lot of recognition in Nigeria, where healthcare professionals with knowledge of core health and safety issues are few. Thus far, I have been exposed to this course at a pace I can handle. Facilities(especially the library) are state-of-the-art and the lecturers are not only just approachable, they go the extra mile to engage students with practical workshops, seminars, tutorials as well as lectures from renowned tutors in the health and safety sector. This has built my depth in this course and overall, I find this course deeply satisfying.
