This degree provides a strong foundation for ongoing professional development. It develops the knowledge, confidence and transferable skills needed to work effectively and independently in Occupational Health practice.

You will gain an understanding of workplace health management, health surveillance and the prevention of work-related illness, enabling you to contribute safely and competently to Occupational Health service delivery. These skills also support career mobility across wider healthcare and public health settings.

Career opportunities in Occupational Health

Completion of the BSc (Hons) Occupational Health Nursing (Top Up), will help you to pursue or progress in roles such as:

• Occupational Health Practitioner
• Leadership, management or educator roles within Occupational Health
• Specialist or advanced practice roles (with further study)

The programme enhances employability within Occupational Health and supports long-term career progression.

Research, global and entrepreneurial pathways

If your interests extend beyond clinical practice, this degree can also support progression into:

• Research and academic roles, including teaching and scholarly activity
• International and global health opportunities, working with organisations addressing workplace health on a global scale
• Entrepreneurship and consultancy, such as establishing an OH service, advisory role or contributing to innovative healthcare and digital health solutions

Further academic study

After graduating, you may wish to explore further study:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health Practice
• The NMC-approved Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Occupational Health Nursing) Postgraduate Diploma
• Master’s-level study through the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice which could then lead onto Doctoral study such as our Doctorate of Health and Social Care Practice
• The research intensive 2 year MRes Health and Care (Nursing and Midwifery) designed to help you lead, influence and deliver high-quality research across diverse healthcare settings

Utilise our Careers and Employment Service​

Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for three years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.