Course overview

The University of Portsmouth has an international reputation for excellence in the field of distance learning and has been offering courses designed to respond to industrial and professional needs since 1976. This course responds to the professional development needs of those who dedicate their lives to the promotion of health, safety and environmental management.

• Many of our students are health and safety professionals who aspire to a broader scholarship and see postgraduate study as an essential element in their career development.
• Others are professionals whose previous employment has led them to an interest in health and safety management.
• We have students whose school leaving certificates left them disappointed but have now gained sufficient work experience to register for postgraduate study and the opportunity to become a 'master of their profession'.
• There are those who have reached an impasse on the road to qualified status and want a change of study opportunities to re-motivate themselves.

Professional accreditation

The quality of our courses is recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

• IOSH is the chartered body for health and safety professionals and was established in 1945. They are the biggest professional health and safety organisation in the world.
• Where your intention is to seek graduate IOSH membership, you must register with IOSH at the end of the first year. Once you have successfully completed the PgC (60 credits), the University will provide a letter (on request) for submission to IOSH with your application for graduate IOSH membership.
• Graduate members of IOSH will have the opportunity to complete their IPD Skills Portfolio as they progress through the course, leaving members with only the Peer Review Interview to complete to gain their Chartered status.

Course content

You will study two units, each worth 30 credits as summarised below.

Management Essentials for Health and Safety (Unit 1)

This unit aims to provide you with an appreciation of health and safety management and its integration into organisational management systems.

You will study the nature of organisations and how management functions can be directed towards the recognition and control of risk. You will develop knowledge and interpretation of the requirements and responsibilities imposed by laws in respect of occupational health and safety. You will also advance your understanding of risk management and reflect upon the relationship between human behaviour, culture and risk.

Risk Management in Practice (Unit 2)

This unit concerns the operational practice of health and safety by considering the potential risks, from both a health and safety perspective, and their subsequent assessment and control.

The aim of the unit is to explore the potential hazards in a variety of industries both UK based and international, and to develop strategies for the assessment and control of hazards associated with the workplace and working practices.

Teaching and assessment

All distance learning students are strongly supported throughout their studies. Every student is allocated a personal tutor who will support them with pastoral and general academic issues. You will also be allocated a subject tutor for each unit.

For each unit, you are provided with a series of workbooks which guide you through the required learning for the course. You have the opportunity to attend an induction day at the start of the year to explain how to progress successfully through the course. This is presented both on campus and online.

You must have access to a computer and the internet, and be able to use a web browser. 
The course is delivered by distance learning so that you are able to continue working. Indeed, your work often provides the central focus for your studies.

Online resources

You will have access to many and varied online resources, including the following:

• Tutorials and lectures
• Course materials
• Workshops
• Discussion forums
• Academic skills help
• Journals
• Podcasts
• PDP (Personal Development Planning)/IDP (Initial Development Planning)
• Quizzes and assessments

Assessment is through the submission of coursework written assignments.

Career prospects

The University offers a 'flexible' distance learning study opportunity for busy people who almost certainly are employed, may have a family or whose employment environment may be far from any classroom or scheduled teaching.

We have students on oil rigs, on ships and submarines, in isolated locations in the UK and worldwide who study where they want, when they want, at a time and place to suit them. They range from the 'workplace experience' qualified to the 'professional or academically' qualified, but all have one thing in common – they want the University of Portsmouth PgC in Occupational Health and Safety Management to ensure that their career in health and safety management is on a very sure footing. Our aim is to do just that by giving you an excellent student experience focused on knowledge and skills essential for roles in the global workforce. The fact that many of our former students now hold senior positions in industry attests to this.

To read what some of our students say about the course, click on 'Student profile' in the left-hand navigation menu.

Facilities and features

Portsmouth is a dynamic and forward-looking university where you will be supported to fulfil your potential as a health and safety professional. We are committed to innovative tutoring that is informed by significant research. With us you'll be able to equip yourself with recognised postgraduate skills and attributes empowering a spirit of independence, creativity and enterprise.

Although you are studying via 'distance learning' you are, nonetheless, an important part of our modern city campus right in the heart of Portsmouth. We have over 20,000 students and 3,000 are from overseas so you'll be joining a varied and vibrant community of people from over 100 countries with different experiences.

You will have access to up-to-date research-based course materials, the University's library catalogue and services, and clear and professionally presented information and debate. You can also take advantage of detailed guidance on study skills, research methods, research project management and essay writing skills.

You will be taught and supported by experienced tutors and professional administrators, and you will use the University's internet-based virtual learning environment, providing you with direct access to a wide range of learning materials. You will be able to download relevant articles and materials to your computer to read in your own home, communicate with fellow students to build a learning community and take part in online discussions with tutors and lecturers.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for PgCert Occupational Health and Safety Management are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Learning at Work
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 2942
Email: latw-dl@port.ac.uk