Bachelor of Science (Occupational Health and Safety Management)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Further Education
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

BSc Occupational Health and Safety Management What our students say What our students say

Entry Points (2024)

408

Course Overview

The BSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management is a multidisciplinary programme that examines the relationship between workplace factors and human health, safety and well-being. Students study subjects including the basic sciences, health sciences, engineering, law, management and regulatory affairs among others. The programme is designed to meet the needs of industry and provides students with a high-quality qualification in the multidisciplinary area of Occupational Health and Safety Management.

It enables students to work across all sectors as Occupational Health and Safety Managers and Environmental Health and Safety professionals. There is continuous demand for such graduates across all sectors.

This programme offers the opportunity to experience life as a health and safety professional as all students complete a seven-month work placement in industry during third year. This placement allows students to further develop their knowledge and apply their technical skills within the workplace. Our 4th year students are currently on their work placement with, Boston Scientific, Hollister, Zimmer Biomet, Thermo King, The Irish Defence Forces, Regeneron, Abbvie, Aerogen, Ward and Burke and PMS Athenry.

This programme has been accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Students can access IOSH Student Membership for the duration of their studies and, on successful completion, they will meet the academic requirements for Graduate (Grad IOSH) membership. Graduate membership is the gateway to Chartered status. As IOSH is the only organisation in the world that offers Chartered membership to health and safety practitioners, this can help you achieve the highest professional standards and gain international recognition

Accredited Programme__Colour Landscape ‌

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Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

The BSc Environmental Health and Safety programme is truly multidisciplinary and modules are taught by academic staff From the School of Physics, Engineering, Health Sciences and Law. Lecturers include:

Dr Marie Coggins

Dr Martina Kelly

Dr Victoria Hogan

Mr Enda Fallon

Dr Miriam Byrne

Ms Deirdre Callanan

Dr Lisa Pursell

Prof. Kathryn Cormican

Prof. Colin O’ Dowd

Prof. Martin Leahy

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

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) or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades (2024)

universityofgalway.ie/alevels

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

4 (More Info)

Closing Date

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY313

Course code

Course Outline

YEAR ONE

Biology
Mathematics
Chemistry/Physics
Communications and Computing
Introduction to Environmental Health and Safety
Introduction to Law

YEAR TWO

Human Gross Anatomy
Health and Safety Physiology
Introduction to Biostatistics
Health and Safety Law
Physics of the Environment
Analytical and Environmental Chemistry
Microbes and the Environment
Fundamentals of Operations Engineering
Safety System Design
Environmental Health and Safety Practice

YEAR THREE

Occupational Health and Well-Being
Exposure Science
Environmental Health and Safety Law
Project Management
Ergonomic Design of the Workplace
Safety and Construction
Quality Systems
Introduction to Regulatory Affairs in Manufacturing
Introduction to Management

YEAR FOUR

Health and the Work Environment
Research Methods for Occupational Health and Safety
Information Systems Ergonomics
Professional Experience Report
Human Reliability
Health and Safety Project

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Curriculum Information

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

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

OptionalMA180: Mathematics (Honours) - 15 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalMA161: Mathematical Studies - 15 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredLW3114: Introduction to Law - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredIE130: Communications and Computing - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredCP102: Chemistry/Physics - 15 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredBO101: Biology - 15 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredME1110: Introduction to Environmental Health & Safety - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Year 2 (60 Credits)

Year 3 (60 Credits)

Year 4 (60 Credits)

RequiredIE452: Professional Experience Report - 5 Credits - Semester 7
RequiredME430: Regulatory Affairs and Case Studies - 10 Credits - Semester 7
RequiredIE446: Project Management - 5 Credits - Semester 7
RequiredIE323: Information Systems Ergonomics - 5 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredHP440: Health & the Work Environment - 10 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredIE453: Health & Safety Project - 15 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredHP1300: Professional Experience Programme - 20 Credits - Semester 7
RequiredHP304: Research Methods for Occupational Health & Safety - 5 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredIE323: Information Systems Ergonomics - 5 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredME572: Human Reliability - 5 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredHP440: Health & the Work Environment - 10 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredIE453: Health & Safety Project - 15 Credits - Semester 8

Year 1

First year students will study some of the basic fundamental science subjects e.g. Biology, Chemistry and Physics and also Mathematics. It is important to obtain a solid foundation in the general scientific skills and concepts in first year, as they under pin many of the applied Environmental Health and Safety subjects taught in later years.

An introduction to more applied Environmental Health and Safety specific topics are also taught in 1^st year, e.g. Introduction in Environmental Health & Safety risk and also Introduction to law.

Year 2

In second year, the programme modules start to become more applied to the specialist area of Environmental Health and Safety. Students will study Engineering, Science, Health Science and Law Modules.

Year 3

Third year modules are more focused on the core area of Environmental Health and Safety, with a strong focus on practice. Students also get an opportunity to complete laboratory practicals and learn new skills relevant to practice. Invited guest lecturers contribute to many of the modules in 3^rd year, which brings an interesting practical insight to many of the subject areas.

Year 4

Fourth year is the highlight of the programme for many, as students complete a seven month work placement in a real workplace! The provision of a structured period of relevant work experience provides an opportunity to integrate 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 sector, for example, medical device, chemical, manufacturing, food sector, regulatory etc

Students also complete their final year project in final year, for many this is completed with the placement host organisation.

Please see programme brochure below.

Further Education

Graduates of the programme may choose to pursue Masters, Higher Diploma and/or PhD programmes in a wide range of disciplines including Occupational Hygiene, Occupational Health, Ergonomics, Management, Safety & Risk Management, Fire Safety, etc.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

There is continuous demand for occupational health and safety graduates as all organisations have legal duties and regulatory requirements with which they must comply. The course provides students with skills necessary to undertake occupational, environmental and quality roles in industry.

The programme has an excellent employment record. Graduates of the programme 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.

International Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and graduates have the opportunity to work nationally and internationally.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

In the third year of the programme, students participate in a seven month paid work placement (PEP) in industry, which is organised through the University Placement Office. During this time, students work under the supervision of a health and safety professional and gain valuable practical experience.

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,268 p.a. (€7,408 p.a. including levy) 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€4,268 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€27,000 p.a. (€27,140 including levy). 2025/26

EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Contribution Charge + Student Levy* €140. *Payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here.

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees**.
**Excludes Full-Time EU Undergraduate fees. These are fixed and do not change.

Find out More

Dr. Marie Coggins
T: 353 (0) 91 495056
E: marie.coggins@univerisityofgalway.ie

What Our Students Say

Eve Mulligan | Lead Safety Advisor, Children's Disability Services HSE

The programme at the University of Galway is well designed, engaging, relevant and highly rated by employers. I selected the degree because it was the best fit for my learning and future employment goals. As I entered the workforce, I felt well prepared to be able to meet client-related needs. I enjoy being part of a team of professionals who are passionate about creating positive change in workplace Environmental Health and Safety. My 4 years as a Science undergraduate at the University of Galway has been an incredible journey beyond my expectations and has given me the necessary skills to succeed in my future career. I would also like to add that the faculty has been an amazing source of strength and support.

Sophie Keady | 3rd year student

This insightful programme perfectly balances a blend of science-based modules with law and engineering- modules. I will be embarking on a six-month placement at the end of my third year where I intend to transfer my practice into theory. Lecturers are a fantastic source of support and encouragement with such a continuous and growing demand for health and safety experts, this course provides excellent employment opportunities.

Eoghan Dobey | ENTERPRISE RISK OFFICER, STATE CLAIMS AGENCY

The programme is a diverse and challenging learning opportunity in which I developed my personal as well as professional skills. The programme extensively covers the systems, regulations and procedures intended to protect the health and safety of individuals. Placement and the final year project were fantastic learning experiences where I received great exposure to how health and safety is provided for in the working environment. Since completing the programme I have begun a role with the State Claims Agency as an Enterprise Risk Officer where I am responsible for advising and assisting a range of state authorities and healthcare enterprises on their health and safety risk management with the aim of reducing future claims and litigation and where claims arise, manage them to contain the State’s liability and associated expenses.