Course highlights
- Flexible online delivery designed to fit around professional roles
- Development of advanced knowledge and skills in Occupational and Public Health
- Structured learning materials accessible at your convenience
- Expert lecturers with extensive Occupational Health and clinical experience
- Live online sessions scheduled to optimise accessibility and learner support
- Industry-informed curriculum aligned to workforce needs
- Opportunity to tailor learning through optional module selection
A Specialist Qualification for Workplace Health
Occupational Health (OH) is a specialist field of health practice focused on promoting and maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of people in the workplace. Occupational Health practitioners work proactively to prevent work-related injury and illness, promote health and wellbeing, and support employees and organisations to manage health effectively and ethically.
This Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health Practice is designed for Registered Nurses and Midwives, Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), Doctors, and other suitably qualified practitioners who are considering, or are in the early stages of, a career in Occupational Health and wellbeing.
Designed to strengthen the Occupational Health workforce
Delivered at academic level 7, the programme complements existing professional development routes such as Postgraduate CPD modules, the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) qualification, and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) Diploma in Occupational Health Practice.
It provides an accessible pathway for those who may not yet be employed within an OH setting — addressing a key barrier to entry for many aspiring practitioners. The programme is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized OH providers seeking to strengthen workforce capability without in-house educational provision.
A quality-assured, industry-informed curriculum offers reassurance to students, employers and the wider Occupational Health community.
Evidence-informed and professionally relevant
While there is currently no statutory requirement for health professionals to hold a specific qualification in Occupational Health to practise in the field, this programme provides the knowledge, skills and critical understanding required for safe and effective practice.
The curriculum is informed by key guidance and professional standards, including:
- Educating Occupational Health Nurses (Public Health England, 2016)
- Growing Occupational Health and Well-being Together (NHS England, 2023)
- Standards for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (NMC, 2022)
It is robust, evidence-based and designed to support professional development, workforce sustainability and career progression.
Legal, ethical and professional accountability
Occupational Health professionals operate within a clear legal and ethical framework, including duties under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This requires employers and self-employed professionals to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that others are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
This programme develops your understanding of professional accountability, governance, risk management and safe practice within complex workplace environments.
Flexible, accessible postgraduate study
Delivered fully online, the programme offers flexibility for working professionals and self-funding students. The structure enables you to balance postgraduate study with employment and personal commitments while developing specialist expertise in Occupational Health practice.
You will complete:
- One core 40-credit module
- Three core 20-credit modules
- One optional 20-credit module
Through these modules, you will develop proficiencies aligned to your role, scope of practice and career progression goals.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to integrate your professional experience with scaffolded academic development and application of core theories to Occupational Health practice.
Our philosophy is to provide a holistic and inclusive learning experience, enabling you to become a culturally competent practitioner committed to improving health and wellbeing in diverse workplace settings.
You will develop the knowledge, values and skills required to:
- Work in partnership with individuals and organisations
- Prevent ill health and protect health in occupational settings
- Promote sustainable, person-centred workplace wellbeing
- Lead, influence and collaborate within multidisciplinary contexts
- Safeguard vulnerable individuals
- Contribute to sustainable development goals that support the right to a healthy working life
Flexible online learning
The programme is delivered fully online through Blackboard Ultra virtual learning environment, allowing you to study in a way that fits around your professional and personal commitments.
You will engage with:
- Structured online learning materials, including multimedia resources and guided activities
- Self-directed study tasks and knowledge checks
- Live online sessions such as webinars, tutorials and group discussions
- Case-based learning activities relevant to Occupational Health practice
Online materials are available for you to access at a time that suits you, enabling you to work through content at your own pace. In addition, scheduled live sessions provide valuable opportunities to ask questions, explore complex topics, discuss practice issues, and learn collaboratively with peers and lecturers.
Collaborative learning is encouraged throughout the programme through discussion forums, group activities and peer feedback. Reflective practice is embedded within modules to promote self-awareness, professional identity development and ongoing career progression.
Study Skills Support
Many of our students are experienced practitioners returning to academic study after a break. We provide comprehensive postgraduate study support, including resources on:
- Academic writing and critical analysis
- Literature searching and research appraisal
- Referencing and avoiding plagiarism
- Reflective writing
- Time management and study planning
Dedicated academic support services are available to help you succeed at level 7 study.
Pace of Study
The Postgraduate Diploma is normally completed over two academic years.
You should expect to commit approximately 20 hours of study per week when undertaking a 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester, following the standard study plan.
The flexible online structure allows you to balance study with professional and personal commitments.
How you will be assessed
Assessment on this programme reflects contemporary Occupational Health practice and is designed to enable you to apply learning directly to workplace settings.
You will complete a range of authentic, practice-focused assessments such as written assignments, case studies, reflective work and practice-based projects. These tasks will support you to demonstrate critical thinking, evidence-informed decision-making and professional judgement at Level 7.
Each assessment is clearly aligned to module learning outcomes and relevant to Occupational Health roles. They are self-contained within modules while supporting your development across the programme.
You will receive timely, constructive feedback in line with university policy, with guidance to support your continued academic and professional development.
Student support and guidance
Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:
All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.
This Postgraduate Diploma provides a strong foundation for advanced professional development within Occupational Health. It enhances your critical thinking, leadership capability and evidence-informed decision-making, supporting safe and effective practice in complex workplace environments.
You will develop advanced knowledge of workplace health management, risk assessment, case management and the prevention of work-related illness. The programme strengthens your ability to contribute confidently to Occupational Health service delivery, quality improvement and workforce wellbeing strategies.
The qualification also supports career mobility across wider healthcare, public health and organisational wellbeing settings.
Career opportunities in Occupational Health
Completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health Practice will support you to pursue or progress in roles such as:
- Occupational Health Practitioner
- Senior or Lead Occupational Health Practitioner
- Team Leader or Service Manager within Occupational Health
- Specialist roles in areas such as mental health, rehabilitation or case management
- Practice education or workforce development roles
The programme enhances employability within Occupational Health services across public, private and independent sectors and supports long-term career progression.
Research, global and entrepreneurial pathways
If your interests extend beyond clinical practice, this qualification can also support progression into:
- Research and academic roles, including teaching and scholarly activity
- International and global health opportunities focused on workplace health and wellbeing
- Consultancy and independent practice within Occupational Health
- Service development, innovation and digital health solutions related to workforce wellbeing
Further postgraduate academic study
While the programme does not change your professional registration status, after graduating you may wish to explore further postgraduate study, including:
Academic counselling is available to support your ongoing professional and academic progression.
Applicants must:
- Be a registered professional (e.g., nurse, midwife, allied health professional or doctor) with relevant professional registration
Other suitably qualified practitioners capable of safe and effective practice (such as experienced Occupational Health Technicians) may be considered at the discretion of the Programme Leader.
In addition, you must have:
- A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree or
- A Diploma/Advanced Diploma with additional level 6 (undergraduate) study within the past five years
For Nurses or Midwives without a current BSc, entry at postgraduate level is enabled through completion of the BSc (Hons) Occupational Health Nursing (Top-Up) degree.
English language qualifications
If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification equivalent to a minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) average score of 6.5 or equivalent.
Note: International qualifications will be assessed for equivalency according to UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) guidelines and the university's international admissions policy.
Recognition of Prior Learning or Experience
University regulations apply to RPL for these programmes. Applicants would need to be able to clearly evidence how applicable previous credited modules meet the learning outcomes and occupational health practice.
Academic counselling will be provided to the students who exit with a Certificate of Credit and are seeking to return to the PG Certificate or PG Diploma at a later stage. Although the majority of learners will be undertaking either the PG Cert or Diploma, those who exited the programme with a Certificate of Credit can re-join the programme via advanced standing.
‡2026/27 for new entrants
Starting between September 2026 and August 2027.
| | Per 20 credits | Modules | Cost |
|---|
| UK/EU/International |
£1,080 |
6 |
£6,480 |
About your fees
This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.
If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.
Flexible payment plans available
Choose from two payment plan options:
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