Occupational Safety & Health

With society's focus intensifying on health, including workers’ health, the Centre for Safety and Health at Work (CSHW) continues to meet the needs of industry using blended online platforms and flexible teaching programmes to cover key contemporary issues.



This MSc in OSH full-time programme is especially designed for graduates who have experience in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), who have not previously achieved a higher level qualification in the area. At the end of the programme, you will have developed the ability to develop and implement health and safety management and risk management systems relevant to the OSH needs of your professional discipline; professional and academic writing skills; self-management and self-directive skills and research skills.



• This MSc in OSH full-time programme is designed to be completed over one academic year (September to August). You will attend classes on weekdays and complete 90 credits over three trimesters.

• The provisionally scheduled Orientation days for 2025/26 intake, is 5th September 2025.

• The programme covers a range of multidisciplinary topics relevant to Occupational Safety and Health. Subjects covered include Legislation, Occupational Health, Occupational Hygiene, Human and Organisational Behaviour at Work, Health and Safety Management and Safety Technology.

• Assignments, project work and self-directed learning are required during the summer semester between the two academic years of study. You will complete your dissertation during the summer semester at the end of the second academic year.

• Lectures from core modules will normally be held on Fridays (9 am-5 pm) in Year 1 and on Tuesdays (9 am-5 pm) in Year 2.

• Thesis supervision in Year 2 takes place outside of scheduled programme times/days.



What Will I Learn?

At the end of the programme, students will have developed the ability to develop, implement and continuously improve occupational safety and health management and risk management systems in the workplace, utilising:

• professional and academic writing skills;

• self-management and self-directive skills; and

• research skills.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:

Please do not select YEAR TWO modules until year two

OSH30010 Safety and Health Legislation Autumn 5

OSH40230 Health and Safety Management Autumn 7.5

OSH40330 OSH LIterature Review Methods Autumn 2.5

OSH40200 Occupational Health Spring 7.5

OSH40220 Occupational Hygiene Spring 7.5



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:

Year 2 core modules:

OSH40290 Research Methods (OSH) Autumn 7.5

OSH40360 Human and Org Behaviour Autumn 7.5

OSH40340 Safety Technology Spring 7.5

OSH40350 Chemical Safety and Toxicology Spring 7.5

OSH40130 Dissertation (Occupational Safety and Health) Year-long (12 months) 30

• A primary degree at 2.1 level (Second Class Honours, Grade One) in a cognate discipline is normally required. However, The School will also consider 2.2 award (NFQ Level 8) or equivalent on a case-by-case basis subject to the addition of relevant OSH work experience which can be taken into account.

• You should normally be in employment as some of the assessment is linked to workplace activities

• You should normally have at least three years work experience at the time of application

• Priority is given to applicants who are active in Occupational Safety and Health

• You will be required to supply transcripts of your primary degree and the supporting documents at the time of your application.

• If your first language is not English then you must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTs 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent. For a fill list of English Language Requirements for OSH Programmes, please read our International Students webpage.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No



This programme is available to international (Non-EEA) applicants already resident in Ireland on a valid visa (Stamps 0, 1, 1G, 3, 4, 4S, 4D, 5 and 6 only) for the duration of the programme. The onus is on the applicant to ensure compliance with any visa permissions granted. The MSc in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a multidisciplinary graduate programme, designed for graduates who are engaged in OSH, who have not previously achieved a higher qualification in OSH

2 years part-time. Delivery: Blended.

X061: Master of Science in Occupational Safety & Health Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught