University of Hull

What you'll study

The programme provides a broad, applied curriculum covering the core disciplines of occupational health and safety management. Typical subject areas include:

• Health and safety law and legal duties – understanding statutory responsibilities, regulatory frameworks and compliance approaches.
• Risk assessment and control – practical techniques for hazard identification, risk evaluation and implementing proportionate controls.
• Safety management systems – planning, monitoring and continuous improvement of safety performance, including policy development and auditing.
• Accident investigation and incident analysis – methods for investigating events, root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Occupational hygiene and workplace hazards – control of physical, chemical and biological risks, including noise, dust, and hazardous substances.
• Fire safety and emergency planning – prevention, detection and response arrangements, evacuation planning and business continuity considerations.
• Ergonomics and occupational health – assessing manual handling, workstation design and promoting worker wellbeing.
• Leadership, communication and competence – building safety culture, training provision and stakeholder engagement.

Delivery is designed for part-time learners and typically combines evening or weekend workshops, directed study, workplace-based activities and assessed coursework. Assessment methods usually include written assignments, practical risk assessments, workplace evidence and formal examinations or tests aligned to the diploma standard.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a relevant level 3 qualification or demonstrable experience in a health and safety role. Typical entry routes include HNC/HND holders, those with an undergraduate degree in a related subject, or experienced safety practitioners who can provide an employer reference and a portfolio of work showing competence. Applicants without formal qualifications but with substantial workplace experience will be considered on an individual basis. All applicants should have a good standard of English and, where English is not the first language, evidence of competence in English may be required.

Career prospects

Graduates use this diploma to progress in a wide range of occupational safety and health careers. Typical roles and destinations include:

• Health and safety adviser or officer in manufacturing, construction, utilities, logistics and public services.
• Safety coordinator or manager responsible for site or organisational safety programmes.
• Environmental, health & safety (EHS) specialist roles that combine regulatory compliance and sustainability duties.
• Consultancy and contracting positions providing risk assessment, auditing and training services.
• Progression to senior H&S leadership roles or to further professional qualifications and chartered membership routes.

The diploma is particularly valuable for practising professionals who need employer-recognised credentials and the practical skills required to influence safety performance and reduce workplace harm.

Why study at University of Hull

The University of Hull offers a supportive environment for part-time and mature learners, with flexible delivery tailored to those balancing work and study. You will benefit from staff with applied experience in occupational safety, access to campus learning resources and opportunities to link study with workplace practice. The university maintains industry links and encourages employer engagement to ensure the curriculum reflects current regulatory and operational needs. Practical assessment and workplace-relevant projects help students build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate competence to employers and professional bodies.