Postgraduate MSc

Safety, Health and Environment

Attendance

Full-time

Part-time

Course

One year

Three year

Next enrolment

January 2025

Introduction

In a nutshell

In our increasingly busy world, health and safety professionals can be responsible for mitigating environmental forces alongside preventing accidents and work-related ill-health. Build the skills and knowledge to rise to this challenge with our MSc Safety, Health and Environment postgraduate degree.

Designed to both meet the continuing professional development needs of established industry personnel, and provide a vocational qualification for those seeking a career in Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) practice, this course provides interdisciplinary postgraduate level knowledge and skill progression. The curriculum reflects the growing trend of organisations combining environmental protection and health and safety functions.

The course is accredited by both the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), as meeting the academic requirements for graduate membership. Graduates can also fast track to PIEMA (Practitioner Status) once they complete a work-based competence assessment. 

International applicant? Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

Start your MSc Safety, Health and Environment study journey

Register for our next Open Day where you can learn more about the course, tour our impressive campus and meet the tutors

You will:

  • Broaden your knowledge, as you learn aspects of both environmental and occupational health
  • Develop a skill set relevant to modern Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) practice
  • Learn how to undertake health, safety and environmental audits against a background of sustainability
International

students accepted

Course accreditations

IEMA (transforming the world to sustainability) Logo
IOSH (accredited provider) logo

This is for you if...

1.

You are a current safety, health and environmental practitioner, risk manager or enforcement officer wanting to cement or develop your knowledge for career progression

2.

You are a graduate or professional looking to gain knowledge and skills to prepare for a move into a safety, health and environment-based career

3.

You are actively concerned about environmental protection and health, and want to build knowledge to apply in your work environment or area of research.

Course details

All about the course

Safety helmets

Course delivery

Our MSc Safety, Health and Environment postgraduate course is delivered through a range of industry-focused modules. The 180-credit MSc award comprises six credit-bearing taught modules, plus a 60-credit research-based dissertation project. 

Flexibility is at the heart of our learning approach. You can choose to study this postgraduate course full-time or part-time on campus:

  • as a full-time student, you will complete eight 15-credit taught modules across the trimesters one and two on campus two. You will complete a 60-credit research-based dissertation project during a third trimester
  • as a part-time students will complete complete eight 15-credit taught modules across trimesters spread over two years. You will complete a 60-credit research-based dissertation project during a third year of study
Learning experience

During your studies, you will engage with issues drawn from law, economics and the social and physical sciences which are relevant to the theory and practice of environmental regulation and occupational health. You will assess existing and emerging challenges, and explore contemporary management, technological and regulatory systems that are designed to reduce environmental risks.

The course curriculum is designed to help you build professional practice knowledge alongside postgraduate skills, including research design and delivery. During your studies, you will look at ‘big issues’ in environmental science, consider ethics and bioethics and use critical thinking.

The course has a highly-practical focus with an emphasis on authentic, experimental problem-based learning. You will consider the relevant concepts in practice and apply them in different circumstances, helping you to develop confidence in managing rapid social, technological and organisational change.

Course modules are designed to help you develop specific topic knowledge alongside intellectual and analytical skills appropriate for contemporary health, safety and environment professionals. Topics covered include standards and auditing, occupational health and hygiene, risk regulation and safety conservation.

Learn more about the current course modules in the section below. 

Read about Tony's experience studying MSc Safety, Health and Environment

Course team

The Safety, Health and Environment postgraduate course is delivered by an academic team with exceptional research experience and extensive professional connections.

Course leader: Rosie Anthony

Trimester one

Postgraduate Scholarship Skills

This module provides key skills and knowledge to pursue academic research at the postgraduate and professional level, looking at big issues in environmental sciences. The module also introduces ethics and bioethics and will aim to enhance students critical thinking.

Standards and Auditing

This module examines the relevance and relative merits of the different tools and approaches available to the business community in assessing and improving its health, safety, and environmental performance and addressing the sustainability agenda. You will explore through case study and field work the of the business community to the internal and external drivers of health, safety and environmental performance and corporate social responsibility. You will be trained to undertake audits and will have the opportunity to undertake audits of business processes through collaboration with business partners.

Occupational Health and Hygiene

This module will explore trends in occupational health and wellbeing at work. You will explore the nature and properties of workplace contaminants and mode of entry to the body; methods of assessment of workplace environmental hazards; design and analysis of exposure measurement surveys and the biopsychosocial model of illness and its relevance to prevalent work related illnesses. You will develop a detailed understanding of the intervention strategies which may be used to manage occupational health risks and to promote wellbeing.

Safety Conservation

This module explores of a selection of workplace risks (e.g. fire and human behaviour, L.E.V., work equipment) informed by contemporary and emergent risks. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationships between occupational health, safety and wellbeing and development of policies which contribute to the prevention of injury or loss. Site visits will allow you to contextualise theoretical concepts in the workplace.

Trimester two

Professional Practice

This module aims to enable you to design, plan and execute a programme of research through active enquiry and to undertake appropriate analysis of research results. You will have the opportunity to use research skills acquired in the applied context of ‘real world’ project work in a variety of professional settings and to develop the skills necessary for successful delivery of project outcomes. You will work as part of a team with an external organisation or company relevant to your degree discipline on a project defined by a client. The module provides you with opportunities to develop a range of skills and aptitudes including negotiation of project terms of reference, research design, data collection and analysis, professional communication, project management and professional networking.

Research Design and Delivery

This module will prepare you for your dissertation by enabling you to design, plan and execute a programme of research and to analyse research results appropriately. It will provide opportunities for you to acquire essential research skills relevant to your discipline in both a field and laboratory setting. The experience in applying these skills will be invaluable in planning and undertaking your dissertation.

Environmental Impact Assessment

This module examines and evaluates processes for investigating and mitigating the impacts of development in the context of environmental impact assessment and planning procedures. You will explore impact assessment policy, law and practice through case study research and practical applications in the field. You will have the opportunity to interact with environmental impact assessment professionals in developing and presenting a case study providing you with valuable insights into career prospects in this field.

Risk Regulation

This module examines risk based approaches to regulation. You will explore the role of law in the management of health, safety environment including the current English criminal law, the influence of social legislation and other EU and international influences. You will study the operation of the major statutes in the field, their interpretation and application, procedures and protocols for the collection of admissible evidence; regulatory authorities, criminal / administrative sanctions and sentencing guidelines.

Trimester three

Dissertation

This module aims to enable you to contribute to the body of knowledge in your area by devising and conducting an independent research project and through independent, self-motivated critical thinking, to develop as a reflective practitioner.

Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

What will I be doing?

TEACHING

Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials and case studies, and simulated business projects are utilised to develop practical, observational and analytical skills. In addition, you will take part in field work and site visits and will have many opportunities to discuss and exchange your own professional experiences with the course team and invited specialist speakers. You will have the opportunity to work with an organisation and/or relevant stakeholder on a real project, thereby encouraging networking with external clients as well as real-world interaction.

ASSESSMENTS

You will be assessed through a range of methods including portfolios, projects, reports, case studies, examinations and dissertation. 

School of Science, Engineering and Environment

Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and industry leaders.

Shaped by industry and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the skills to take your career potential further.

Industry collaboration and research

When you start this degree course with Salford, you are joining a community making a difference in industry, our local region and in our wider society.

Many of our academics and technicians who support your course also lead collaborative, interdisciplinary, high-impact work in a range of local and global environmental issues and challenges.

Discover how you are part of something bigger.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

Construction workers

EMPLOYMENT

This course provides a relevant vocational qualification for applicants seeking health, safety and environment-related employment. It is also designed to meet the continuing professional development needs of personnel in government, industry and the voluntary sector.

The skills you will develop will prepare you to take a lead role in the strategic development and implementation of policy initiatives. Today, you will find course alumni working in positions as environmental regulators, SHE managers, safety consultancy and training, in fields as diverse as facilities management, construction and demolition, utilities, the civil service and engineering.

FURTHER STUDY

You might also choose to take your subject interest further with postgraduate research. Our Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre is home to PhD and Research Master’s opportunities exploring a range of topics, from energy and food security to ecosystem services and environmental assessment.

Explore our Doctoral School to learn more about research training, support and opportunities.

A taste of what you could become

a health and safety manager

an environmental manager

an environmental consultant

a safety, health and environment consultant

And more...

Career Links

  • We emphasise the development of professional skills and capabilities. You graduate employability is developed through project work with external clients and through opportunities to work on a specific business problem for the dissertation component.
  • A key course feature is applied learning and input from visiting practitioners from industry. We regularly invite honorary visiting professors and external expert to enrich your learning experience and bring leading-edge practice. 
  • Our course team hold strong links with safety, health and environment professionals through Safety Groups UK, which organises seminars and provides you with networking opportunities with professionals from a similar background.
Requirements

What you need to know

APPLICANT PROFILE

The course is recommended for safety, health and environmental practitioners, risk managers and enforcement officers, who want to deepen their subject knowledge and enhance their career prospects. It is also suitable for applicants looking to develop skills in the field of safety, health and environment.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, however we do accept a range of equivalent qualifications. 

Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS

Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

COURSE ACCREDITATION

This course is accredited by both the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), as meeting the academic requirements for Graduate Membership.  If you successfully complete the course, you automatically qualify for GradIEMA professional status. You can also fast track to PIEMA (Practitioner Status) once they complete a work-based competence assessment. 

Standard entry requirements

Undergraduate degree

Applicants require at least a UK lower second class honours degree (2:2) or equivalent in any subject.

Applicants must also fulfil the IOSH entry requirements which require a basic knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health. Applicants without this knowledge are required to engage with online support materials provided as part of the course.

International student entry requirements

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

Alternative entry requirements

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

For more information or enquires about this scheme, please contact: AdmissionsSEE-PGT@salford.ac.uk 

Learn more about the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme.

How much?

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2024/25 £9,990.00per year
Full-time international 2024/25 £16,380.00per year
Full-time home 2025/26 £10,350.00per year
Full-time international 2025/26 £17,000.00per year

Additional costs

Field courses and trip costs are covered by the University.  You will not be charged for field (day) trips, but you are expected to provide your own refreshments.

You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

International student scholarships

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Learn more about our latest international scholarships.

Apply now

All set? Let's apply

Enrolment dates

January 2025

September 2025