Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety (MSc/HDip)

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

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

International accreditations

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.

This programme has been accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). Degree accreditation by BOHS recognises programmes that prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills required for good practice in the occupational hygiene profession. The accreditation criteria require the programme to meet specific learning outcomes. Degree accreditation by BOHS provides eligibility for Associate Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene and following a qualifying period of professional experience, provides access to the pathways to Licentiate or Chartered Membership by entitling the graduate to certain exemptions.

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Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

There is continuous assessment via laboratory practicals and assignment work throughout the year. Written examinations, and minor thesis (MSc only).

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

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.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

15—MSc; 5—HDip

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please refer to the review/closing date website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90 MSc, 60 HDip

Award

CAO

Course code

MSC-OEH; HDIP-OES

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.

Click here for module information for MSc.

Click here for module information for HDip.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

There is continuous demand for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) graduates nationally and internationally. The employment record for our graduates is excellent. Graduates are employed as EHS professionals and Mangers, Occupational Hygienists, Ergonomists, Health and Safety Engineers, Consultants and Advisors across a range of sectors including, pharmachem, medical device and healthcare, as well as statutory bodies, local authorities and Consulting firms nationally and internationally.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,890 full-time; €4,605 part-time p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€8,750 full-time; €4,500 part-time p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 full-time; €105 part-time p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€28,000 p.a. (€28,140 p.a. including levy) 2025/26

HDip: Non EU Fee €16,000 p.a. (€16,140 including levy) , EU Fee €7,250 p.a. (€7,390 including levy) p.a. 2025/26

HDip Part Time: EU Fee € TBC p.a. (€ TBC including levy) p.a. 2025/26

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.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Find out More

Joan Walsh
E: joan.walsh@universityofgalway.ie

What Our Students Say

Rosmi Joyce | MSc graduate 2023, now working in Irish Rail

Embarking on the Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) M.Sc. program at the University of Galway has been an incredible journey for me. I graduated in 2023 and am currently working as a safety graduate. The course is exceptionally well-structured, covering all aspects of occupational health and risk management. Interacting with a diverse group of students fostered an environment that helped me gain a broader perspective about the field. The faculty actively encourages participation in international seminars and conferences, providing a fantastic opportunity to learn from industry experts and connect with professionals in the field. This program has truly opened doors to numerous job opportunities and allowed me to find a career that I find exciting.

in Connect with Rosmi

Michelle Leahy | Graduate, now working for QHSE Lead, Oilfield Solutions

On completion of the Masters programme, I was fortunate to join Oilfield Solutions, at their head office in Naas. They provide specialist engineering services to the global Oil and Gas, Power Generation and Energy Industries. My role as QHSE Lead allows me to combine my occupational and environmental health and safety knowledge with previous international Oil and Gas industry experience in a challenging and rewarding environment.

Niamh Goff | MSc Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety Graduate

Coming from a nursing background, the MSc program allowed me to further develop my knowledge in occupational health but also sparked my interest in workplace environmental, health & safety management. Since qualifying, I have worked as an EHS Advisor for an engineering company on large Datacentre construction projects in Germany and as a Consultant in a leading sustainability consultancy. The knowledge I gained throughout the course gave me the confidence and information needed to be able to work on exciting projects across a range of sectors and with some of the top Tech, Pharmaceutical and Chemical companies in Europe. I recently decided to focus more in the Datacentre industry and am now working as an EHS Program Manager with Google in Germany. The opportunities in EHS are endless and I highly recommend this course as a great career decision!

Declan Foster | MSc Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety Graduate

Working in a Covid-19 test centre highlighted the critical role Health and Safety plays in protecting oneself, colleagues and the general public. This sparked my interest in pursuing a career in Health and Safety. As I draw towards the end of this MSc, I do not question my decision to undertake this qualification at NUI Galway as the curriculum reflects the broadness of the Health and Safety discipline, covering aspects from ergonomics to lab-based measurement. This diversity, coupled with expert, up-to-date lecturing, assures me that I will have the necessary skills and knowledge for a career as a health and safety professional upon graduation. As this course has introduced me to such a wide range of exciting topic areas, my difficulty will be in choosing one to pursue as a career.

Dr. David I. Osime | MSc Occupational Health and Safety

I am currently in the Master of Science programme, Occupational Health and Safety (ful-ltime). I took time off General Practice in the hospital to study this course as its practice is suddenly gaining a lot of recognition in Nigeria, where healthcare professionals with knowledge of core health and safety issues are few. Thus far, I have been exposed to this course at a pace I can handle. Facilities(especially the library) are state-of-the-art and the lecturers are not only just approachable, they go the extra mile to engage students with practical workshops, seminars, tutorials as well as lectures from renowned tutors in the health and safety sector. This has built my depth in this course and overall, I find this course deeply satisfying.

Vijayarahavan Baranirajan | EHS Intern - Biotechnology Company

Choosing to pursue a master’s degree after a few years in the workforce was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made. Today, I’m proud to say it was the right one. Enrolling in the Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety program at the University of Galway has been incredibly rewarding. The course gave me a comprehensive understanding of various health and safety domains, with modules that align closely with industry standards. The thesis component was especially valuable, as I had the unique opportunity to work on an integrated project involving both the university and a company. The faculty, all experts in their fields, were immensely supportive, helping me adjust as an international student in a new community. With a strong job market in this field, there are numerous industries to choose from, and I was lucky to secure a summer internship during my studies, gaining my first experience in the Irish industry. Overall, the University of Galway provides an ideal balance of academic learning and personal growth, preparing you to excel in your chosen career path.

Aine Moynihan | MSc Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety Graduate

My experience as a general nurse gave me insight into the importance of pre-emptive measures within the wards, at home and in the workplace. I enjoy analysing a situation and finding solutions to the problem at hand as well as preventing a recurrence. Undertaking the MSc. in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety allowed me to pivot my career into a profession in which this was the main goal each day. Each day reconfirms this career change for me, I enjoy the diversity within it. My day to day can involve health promotion, chemical and production line risk assessments, noise monitoring, area audits, company policy updates and creation, as well as so much more. The course content and assessment facilitates the development of professional competencies that result in work-ready graduates. The lecturers were enthusiastic when engaging with the class regarding the material as well as conversations regarding the past, present and future of EHS both nationally and internationally. I would recommend this course to anyone who enjoys both procedural and creative challenges. This course will give you the opportunity to enter many different career paths.

International scholarships available

Other postgraduate scholarships available