Occupational Medicine MSc

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Our master's in occupational medicine offers a comprehensive path to becoming an expert in ensuring workplace health and safety. As the need for skilled professionals in occupational medicine grows, our master's in occupational medicine equips you with the advanced knowledge and hands-on skills to tackle a variety of health challenges faced by industries worldwide.

Through our specialised Occupational Medicine MSc, you will develop the expertise to identify and mitigate occupational hazards and design effective health promotion strategies. This will enable you to foster safer and healthier work environments that benefit both employees and organisations.

MSc Occupational Medicine

Next intake: March 2025Key Facts

Awarding University
University of Buckingham
Commitment
Part-time
Exit Points
MSc
24 Months
Class Size
15 - 20
Application Deadline
7th March 2025
Course start date
Format
100% Online
Total Fees
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Designed specifically for busy health professionals, this part-time master's in occupational medicine delivers excellent value and focuses on practical, clinically relevant content. The accelerated programme allows you to potentially start earning a postgraduate-level salary sooner.

Upon successful completion of this flexible master's in occupational medicine online, you will:

  • Acquire both theoretical and practical expertise to address the demands of contemporary workplaces.
  • Benefit from the knowledge of leading experts, including experienced practitioners and academics, who provide valuable insights and cutting-edge research.
  • Enjoy the convenience of entirely online coursework, allowing you to study at your own pace and balance your studies with your professional responsibilities.
  • Gain access to an international network of professionals and opportunities for collaborative learning and research across global boundaries, enhancing your career prospects and professional growth.
  • Be prepared for roles such as occupational health practitioner, advisor, health and safety consultant, or manager. With the skills gained through our programme, you will lead advancements in workplace health, contribute to policy development, and support workforce well-being on an international scale.

In Module 7, you'll engage in a professional project that involves applying research methods in healthcare. This includes conducting literature reviews, performing practice audits, evaluating evidence-based practices, and completing case-based assessments, thus developing your skills in independent research and writing for publication.



Qualification:

Next intake: March 2025 Key Facts

Awarding University
University of Buckingham
Commitment
Part-time
Format
100% Online
Exit Points
MSc
24 Months
Duration
24 months
Class Size
15 - 20
Application Deadline
7th March 2025
Course start date
10th March 2025 (view full module dates)
Total Fees

Why Study an Occupational Medicine Master's with Learna

We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.

knowledge

100% Flexible

Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.

Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Experts

Expert Led

All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.

Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.

confidence

Career Boosting

Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.

40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.

Who is this course for?

Our master's in occupational medicine is designed for healthcare professionals with an interest in occupational medicine, occupational health and public health, in a range of settings:

Healthcare Professionals: General practitioners, nurses, paramedics, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation specialists looking to enhance their expertise in workplace health.

Occupational Health and Safety Experts: Safety officers and health and safety managers who aim to deepen their knowledge of occupational health practices and strategies.

Public Health Professionals: Individuals in public health seeking to focus on the impact of work environments on health.

Researchers and Academics: Academics and researchers interested in exploring and contributing to the field of occupational health and safety.

This programme offers the skills and insights needed to advance your career in occupational medicine, equipping you with the tools to make a significant impact on workplace health and safety.

How Will I Learn?

You'll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform, which allows you to engage with clinical cases, complete assignments, and collaborate with fellow students at times that suit your schedule. There's no fixed timetable—simply log in daily to participate in the week's activities.

Learn through engaging discussion

Our teaching approach is highly interactive, using small groups of 10-20 students to foster a collaborative environment where you can engage in thoughtful discussions and receive guidance from your tutor. You'll have access to learning resources and discussion forums that encourage ongoing interaction and deeper engagement with the material.

Throughout your studies, you'll receive support from a dedicated expert tutor and our Student Support Team, ensuring you have the resources needed to navigate the course successfully.

Curriculum

The master's in occupational medicine is a two year course, consisting of eight modules (180 credits) with the first 120 credits deriving from the postgraduate diploma. The second year of master's in occupational medicine starts with an initial 10 week online module that will develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. Students then complete the professional project module, which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project (dissertation).

Year 1

This module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of occupational medicine, encompassing its principles, services, and practical applications, including fitness assessment, hazard identification, risk management, and epidemiological interpretation, enabling effective promotion and preservation of employee health and well-being in the workplace.

Module content:

  • Definition of occupational medicine (scope) and occupational health (OH) services
  • Introduction to ethics and the law, multidisciplinary team (MDT)
  • Assessment of fitness to work, sickness absence, rehabilitation, redeployment, resettlement and ill health retirement
  • Introduction to hazards and PPE
  • Introduction to risk assessment and control measures
  • Introduction to epidemiology

Learning outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the core concepts related to occupational medicine, including occupational health services, risk assessments, hazards, ethical considerations and legal frameworks.
  2. Critically evaluate current research and guidelines relating to occupational medicine and the application in a range of settings.
  3. Systematically organise and communicate advanced occupational health and safety related information, using criteria developed for a variety of audiences and within a multidisciplinary team approach.

The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse range of hazards encountered in the workplace and environment, spanning physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors, and their potential impact on various body systems, including respiratory, dermatological, infectious disease, mental health, and musculoskeletal conditions, while considering individual variations in fitness assessment influenced by age, environmental conditions, and specific job roles.

Module content:

  • Physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial hazards
  • Respiratory and skin disorders
  • Infectious diseases/zoonoses
  • Mental health and other systems
  • Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders and ergonomics
  • Fitness for specific roles/individuals

Module Learning Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of occupational hazards, their multifaceted impacts on various health systems, and the intricate assessment of fitness for work in diverse conditions.
  2. Critically analyse and synthesise complex information from diverse sources, demonstrating advanced problem-solving abilities in assessing and managing occupational hazards, individual health impacts, and fitness for specific roles.
  3. Apply advanced occupational medicine principles to assess and mitigate workplace hazards, formulating tailored strategies for health promotion and risk prevention, and effectively communicating with a variety of stakeholders.

The module aims to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in occupational risk management, including risk assessment, control measures, health surveillance, reporting requirements, relevant regulatory frameworks, toxicology principles, occupational hygiene, and practical skills in walk-through surveys, enabling effective occupational health management and compliance.

Module content:

  • Principles of health and safety risk management
  • Health surveillance and biological monitoring. Health screening and medical examination
  • Report writing including portfolio production
  • Reporting schemes and health and safety executive (HSE) Appointed Doctor system
  • Introduction to Toxicology and hygiene monitoring
  • Conducting a walk-through survey

Module Learning Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of the principles underpinning health and safety risk management, including the ability to critically analyse and apply these principles in diverse occupational contexts.
  2. Systematically evaluate and synthesise the latest evidence-based research and guidance related to health surveillance, biological monitoring, and toxicology, to make informed decisions and recommendations that consider individual patient needs and preferences.
  3. Demonstrate an ability to design comprehensive occupational health reports and portfolios, showcasing advanced communication and collaboration skills to effectively engage with employers and employees.

The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of various occupational monitoring measures and their applications, including the assessment and exposure to organic and inorganic chemicals in different occupations, the potential health effects of dust and fibres, the distinctions between ionising and non-ionising radiation, and the analysis of vibration, noise, and light measurements, enabling effective monitoring and management of occupational hazards.

Module content:

  • Occupational Hygiene sampling methods
  • Organic and inorganic chemicals
  • Dust and fibres
  • Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) and occupational exposure limits (OELs)
  • Ionising and non-ionising radiation
  • Vibration, noise and light

Module Learning Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a range of occupational hygiene sampling methods, including their principles, limitations, and practical applications.
  2. Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to address practical challenges in the implementation of sampling methods, hazard assessments, and control measures in various workplace settings.
  3. Utilise advanced research skills to stay abreast of emerging issues and contribute to best practices related to occupational toxicology and hygiene.

This module aims to equip students with a in-depth knowledge of health promotion strategies and programmes in the occupational setting, including policy development with a focus on mental health, the role of assistive technology, research methods and data analysis, critical appraisal skills, and the importance of audit, quality assurance, and accreditation processes such as SEQOHS, enabling the effective implementation and continuous improvement of occupational health and well-being initiatives.

Module content:

  • Health Promotion - strategies and examples
  • Mental health and the workplace; developing a mental health policy
  • Assistive Technology
  • Fitness for work in specific careers
  • Research methods and data analysis; critical appraisal
  • Quality Assurance, audit, SEQOHS (safe, effective, quality occupational health service)

Module Learning Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the fitness requirements specific to various careers, considering the impact on employee wellbeing and performance.
  2. Critically assess and integrate diverse health promotion strategies, selecting and adapting them based on the unique needs and characteristics of different workplaces.
  3. Utilise advanced research skills to design and conduct studies that contribute to the evidence base for effective workplace wellbeing practices.

The module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the ethical and legal dimensions of occupational medicine, encompassing health and safety, environmental, and employment regulations, while concurrently developing proficiency in the effective management of an Occupational Health service, including occupational health records and business aspects such as VAT, thereby ensuring comprehensive adherence to professional standards and regulatory compliance.

Module content:

  • Ethics
  • Health & Safety Law
  • Employment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Management of occupational health service and occupational health records
  • Business needs - VAT

Module Learning Outcomes:

  1. Critically appraise and interpret current and intricate health and safety laws, demonstrating the ability to apply legal knowledge to real-world scenarios within a variety of settings.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to formulate and justify strategic decisions in managing occupational health services and maintaining accurate records, integrating legal and ethical considerations.
  3. Exhibit effective leadership skills in the implementation of occupational health practices, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and ethical standards.

Year 2

Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal-

  • Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
  • Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier curves, forest plots and meta-analyses.
  • Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk and number needed to treat. Statistical tests and their applications including t-tests, ANOVA and chi-square.
  • Qualitative research methods.
  • Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
  • Principles of health economics, audit and quality improvement/assurance systems.
  • Establishing patient registers and the value of disease-specific registers.
  • Research into educational principles for both healthcare practitioner and patient.

Professional Project-
This module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise:

  • Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
  • Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
  • Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
  • Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
  • Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
  • Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.

Learning outcomes:

  • Select and apply different methodological perspectives and tools to answer research questions in the field.
  • Critically analyse and interpret relevant research in the subject area.
  • Design and undertake a research/development project.
  • Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.
  • Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.

Assessment Methods

This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.

Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.

Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.

How Foundational Knowledge is Developed

The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.

This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!

Year 1

  • Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
  • Tutors will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
  • These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.

The online reflective journal is a learning portfolio that requires students to record and critically reflect on their learning. Reflection is an important aspect of the programme since the professionals will be able to spend time considering how their practice compares to the themes being discussed in the module. The tutor provides feedback to the student weekly and marks it at the end of the module. Reflective practice is a requirement for healthcare professionals for professional re-validation and professional development.

For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.

  • Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
  • Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets and essays.

Case problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination with multiple-choice ‘single best answer’ questions directly test the reasoning and knowledge objectives of the module. The online examination is marked automatically.

Year 2

  • Students will create a dissertation, the theme of which has been developed in discussion with their tutor.
  • Supervision will normally involve direct online support involving planned progress, supporting research activity and reading student work.
  • Supervisors and students will agree on a communications plan, which may involve emails or online chats. Some students may employ the use of freely available chat or audio conferencing facilities for live discussion with supervisors.
  • Students will have access to online forums where they can develop their research capabilities together.
  • All communications with tutors will be logged on the Professional Project forum by the student, and consist of brief summaries of discussion.

Entry requirements

Since our master's in occupational medicine is conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree.

Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered for the master's in occupational medicine online on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.

Documents Required

  • A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
  • A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
  • The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
  • A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
  • A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).

English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS (with an overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.

If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.

Course Fees

Total Course Fees for UK & International Students for March 2025:
£8,400

Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.

DateInstalmentsUp-Front Payments
Deposit£750£8,400
1st May 2025£750
1st July 2025£750
1st September 2025£750
1st November 2025£750
1st January 2026£750
1st March 2026£650
1st May 2026£650
1st July 2026£650
1st September 2026£650
1st November 2026£650
1st January 2027£650

† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake

Option 3: Lower your monthly payments by spreading the cost for between 2 and 8 years with a loan from our lending partner Lendwise*.

*Subject to eligibility criteria.

lendwise

Learna | Diploma MSc has a partnership with Lendwise which is a leading private student loan provider, to help UK students fund their course fees should they require financing. Lendwise is a UK-based education finance platform through which candidates can fund their postgraduate and professional qualification studies at leading educational institutions.

A Lendwise loan comes with a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan (between 2 and 8 years) and no early repayment penalties. The interest rate offered will depend on the overall applicant profile and the application process is entirely online.*

*Other sources of funding are available.
Learna | Diploma MSc does not offer financial advice, recommend or endorse any financial product. You should always check the suitability of the product that is of interest to you. If you are in any doubt as to its suitability, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice.

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Why Learna

We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online diploma courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.

Our courses are some of the most affordable of their kind, providing value for money without compromising on quality. We also don't apply an international surcharge. No fixed timetable means you can log in & learn on the go, at your convenience.

Being totally online means we can select the very best tutors and resource editors, no matter where they’re located.

Connect with multidisciplinary people around the world to expand your insights & broaden your career prospects.

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