Occupational & Environmental Health & Safety

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 University of Galway-based researchers. The programme is also recognised by the Health and Safety Authority.



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.

MSC Modules



Year 1 (90 Credits)

RequiredHP6104: Research Methods (OccH)

RequiredLW3113: Health & Safety and Environmental Law

RequiredHP1100: Occupational Health and Wellbeing

RequiredPH5112: Research Thesis OEHS

RequiredPH5111: Exposure Science

RequiredIE522: Safety And Risk Management

OptionalIE520: Ergonomics

OptionalIE5100: Physical Ergonomics

OptionalCE6118: Environmental Engineering

OptionalHP6105: Research Methods Qualitative (OccH)

OptionalIE323: Information Systems Ergonomics



H.Dip. Modules



Year 1 (60 Credits)

RequiredHP6104: Research Methods (OccH)

RequiredLW3113: Health & Safety and Environmental Law

RequiredHP1100: Occupational Health and Wellbeing

RequiredPH5111: Exposure Science

RequiredIE522: Safety And Risk Management

OptionalIE520: Ergonomics

OptionalIE5100: Physical Ergonomics

OptionalCE6118: Environmental Engineering

OptionalHP6105: Research Methods Qualitative (OccH)

OptionalIE323: Information Systems Ergonomics

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.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

There is continuous demand for Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety graduates nationally and internationally. The employment record for our graduates is excellent. Graduates are employed as occupational hygienists, ergonomists, health and safety engineers, and consultants and advisors across a range of sectors including pharmachem, medical device and healthcare, as well as in statutory bodies, local authorities and consulting firms nationally and internationally.