The BSc Occupational Health and Safety Management [OHSM] programme combines a strong foundation in science with a broad awareness of how this can be applied in the workplace along with the necessary skills to translate this knowledge. Over the four years of the OHSM degree, invited guest instructors from the Health and Safety Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Medical Device, Construction, Pharmaceutical and other industries along with representatives from  the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health deliver lectures and seminars to our students all of which are highly relevant to OHSM practice.  

Programme of study by year: 

First year  

Students study the fundamental science subjects (biology, chemistry and physics) and also mathematics. Development of a solid foundation in the general scientific skills and concepts in first year is essential, as they underpin many of the applied environmental health and safety subjects taught in later years. More applied environmental health and safety specific topics are also taught in 1st year, e.g. Introduction in Environmental Health & Safety risk and also Introduction to law.  

Students also start to develop their communication and problem-solving skills when taking the Design thinking module, where OHSM students work with other students from a variety of different disciplines to find innovative solutions to key problems facing society. Students develop key skills in communication, team building, empathy, prototyping, ideation and storytelling. This particular first year module places a strong emphasis on learning through doing things in collaboration with others. 

Second year 

The programme modules in the second year of study begin to become more applied to the specialist area of environmental health and safety. Students study applied engineering and science modules (such as Fundamentals of Operations Engineering, Physics of the Environment) and health science modules such as anatomy and physiology. They also study environmental and health and safety law. Students are also able to improve their reading comprehension and academic writing skills by taking the module scientific writing skills.  

Third year  

Modules in third year are more focused on the core area of environmental health and safety, with a significant focus on practice. In third year, there is a strong emphasis on development of laboratory practical skills; students learn how these new skills are fundamentally relevant to practice in the workplace. Students also work closely with University of Galway staff from the University Career Development Centre, developing skills to help prepare them for the world of work, they learn how to prepare a professional CV and how to prepare and perform in interview. The work placement commences at the end of third year. 

Fourth year  

The final year of study on the BSc in OHSM is the highlight of the programme for many students, as they finish completing their seven-month paid work placement in a real workplace! This structured period of relevant work experience provides an excellent opportunity for students to integrate all of their prior classroom learning and work. The work placement is organised by the University Placement Office. Students complete their work placement in a range of sectors (both public and private), for example, medical device, chemical manufacturing, food sector, regulatory etc. Students learn by working with senior occupational health and safety managers or environmental health and safety professionals during their placement. They also complete their final year project in fourth year, for many this is completed with the placement host organisation. Some students have even presented their final year project findings at national health and safety conferences.  

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

• Students complete a seven-month paid work placement in industry during third year.
• Degree programme is recognised and professionally accredited by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
• Globally recognised qualification, with strong employment opportunities nationally and internationally.
• Graduates are provided with direct entry to employment after four years.
• Employment opportunities in environmental health and safety, occupational health and safety management, regulatory affairs and quality management.

The BSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management [OHSM] programme has an international accreditation and thus opens doors to exciting careers, not just here in Ireland but all over the world. 

There is continuous demand for OHSM graduates, as all companies and organisations have legal duties and regulatory requirements with regards the health, safety and welfare of their employees, which they must uphold and maintain. The OHSM course provides students with the necessary skills to undertake occupational health and safety, environmental and quality roles in industry and with regulatory authorities. 

The programme has an excellent employment record. OHSM graduates are mainly employed as environmental health and safety professionals, with some choosing careers in regulatory affairs and quality management. The main employment sectors include manufacturing, consultancy, construction and energy, medical devices and pharmaceutical industries, as well as regulatory and public bodies.

Starting at the end of third year and continuing into semester 1 of fourth year of the programme, students participate in a seven-month paid work placement in industry, which is organised through the University of Galway Placement Office. This is a fantastic chance for all students to immerse themselves in an environmental health and safety role, gain professional experience, and boost their career prospects after graduating. 

While on placement, students work under the supervision of an environmental health and safety professional and gain invaluable practical experience. 

The work placement is the highlight of our programme for every student. Many students continue to collaborate with the host organisation on their final year project (after finishing the placement). After graduation, many students secure their first job with the same company that they completed their placement with. 

Our 4th year students are currently on their work placement with Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Hollister, Zimmer Biomet, Thermo King, the Irish Defence Forces, Regeneron, Abbvie, Aerogen, Ward and Burke and PMS Athenry.

Accrediting Body 
The degree in Occupational Health and Safety Management [OHSM] is endorsed and accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health [IOSH - https://iosh.com/]. 

Student opportunities  
Registered BSc OHSM students can access IOSH Student membership for the duration of their studies in University of Galway and make the most of its member benefits, including mentoring, networking, and CPD resources. 

Graduate Opportunities  
On successful completion of the BSc, OHSM graduates will meet the academic requirements for Certified membership (Cert-IOSH), which is the gateway to more advanced Chartered status. 

International Opportunities 
As IOSH is the only organisation in the world that offers Chartered membership to occupational safety and health practitioners, this helps OHSM students and graduates to achieve the highest professional standards, gain international recognition for their training, skills and experience, and access global careers, which are immensely rewarding. 

• Dr Marie Coggins
• Dr Liz Coleman
• Ms Joan Walsh 

Additional specialists teaching optional modules: 

• Dr Miriam Byrne
• Ms Deirdre Callanan
• Ms Ursula Connolly
• Mr Enda Fallon
• Dr Pouyan Ghabezi
• Prof Margaret Hodgins
• Dr Victoria Hogan
• Dr Martina Kelly
• Prof Jurgita Ovadnevaite
• Dr Lisa Pursell 

The BSc. in Occupational Health and Safety Management is designed to develop students’ proficiency across the multiple inter-related domains required for professional practice in the field of occupational health and safety, with a specific focus on real-world application and the development of important personal and professional skills. The entire learning experience (over the four years of study) includes diverse approaches, combining theoretical knowledge with practical implementation to prepare students for professional practice in a real-world setting.  

How Will I Learn? 

1. Multi-disciplinary approach - Inputs from several distinct academic disciplines are used to integrate safety, health, law, science, management and engineering, which enables students to pursue a broad range of occupational health and safety careers after graduating.
2. Multiple teaching techniques - Students engage in a combination of traditional lectures, small-group teaching, problem-based learning and self-directed learning.
3. Practice-based learning -Students engage in laboratory practicals to apply their theoretical knowledge to practice. 
4. Placement - A seven-month placement allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real world issues under the supervision of an industrial supervisor.
5. Self-directed learning - Students engage in a final year project, focusing in their preferred disciplinary area. These projects may be company-based or designed by the students based on their specific interests. 

How Will I Be Assessed? 

1. Continuous Assessment - Regular coursework, including laboratory write-ups, presentations, in-class tests, and various written assignments. 
2. Examinations - Written exams take place at the end of every semester of study (in December and May). Written and oral exams evaluate proficiency in the taught modules.
3. Oral Assessments - Students participate in debates, presentations, case studies, role-playing, interviews, and poster presentations. 
4. Project Work- Applied final year projects allow students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world issues. 
5. Placement -The 7-month placement is assessed through a combination of academic visits, presentations, and a self-reflective report examining application of knowledge and student learning. 

Course queries: 
marie.coggins@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director(s):  

Dr Marie Coggins 
Senior Lecturer in Exposure Science,  
Physics, School of Natural Sciences 
E: marie.coggins@universityofgalway.ie 
T: 091 495056 

Q: Do I need to have studied higher level maths for my Leaving Certificate? 
A: No, it is not necessary to have studied higher level (or advanced) mathematics, you will have the option to take either ordinary or higher-level maths in first year. 

Q: What science subjects should I take for my Leaving Certificate to do this degree?  
A: Most students who study our programme have taken either biology or agricultural science. If you are studying chemistry or physics this is also acceptable. In the first year of study on the degree, students take half of the first-year physics and half of the first-year chemistry courses, and they also study biology.  

Minimum Entry Requirements 

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e., Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint), Computer Science or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.  

Alternative Pathways 

The Access Centre at University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programmes. See below some useful links: 

• QQI/FET/FETAC Places 

• Mature Students 

• Access and Foundation programmes 

• HEAR Scheme 

• DARE Scheme 

Other Qualifications 

If you are a school leaver presenting results other than Leaving Cert results, please review the entry requirements relevant to you:  

• A Level students 

• International Baccalaureate students  

• EU students 

For applicants whose first language is not English, it is important to check our English Language Requirements.  

Admissions Office  

Our Admissions Office provides additional detail relevant to CAO applicants including key dates, FAQs and instructions for non-school leavers.  

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants 

Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.  

Mature Applicants  

Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry. Further information available here.  

QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants  

Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants page for information on places available and entry requirements,

Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
	All	€4,268	€3,000	€27,000	€140	€3,140	€7,408	€27,140

• Most EU students applying through the CAO will be eligible for the ‘Free Fees Initiative’. You can find out more here.
• If you are eligible for a means tested SUSI grant this may cover 100% of this Student Contribution Charge. If you are 100% eligible SUSI will pay the Student Contribution Charge of €3,000 on your behalf. 
• The Student Levy It is payable by all students and it is not covered by SUSI
• Where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing year fees. This applies to non-EU fees.
• You can find additional detail on the Fees Office webpage including FAQs and how fee status is assessed.

Scholarships for Global Students

University of Galway is committed to attracting high-calibre students from around the world. To this end, we offer a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of outside of the EU countries, in line with our strategic international priorities. For international students commencing study at University of Galway there are a number of different scholarships on offer.  

Undergraduate Merit Awards (€2,000 - €5,000): 

€2,000 for all first-year students in the School of Natural Sciences (offered for four years) 

Undergraduate Excellence Awards (€10,000 - €20,000): 

€10,000 for one student each in the Schools of Engineering and Natural Sciences (offered for four years) 

More details here 

Application Process 

Students applying for full undergraduate degree programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), and who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees, should apply online via Apply to University of Galway. Our application portal opens on the 1st of October each year for each the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the international application webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.