Strategic Leadership in Occupational Safety and Health MSc
You are an established safety and practitioner looking to develop the change leadership skills necessary to operate at the next professional level
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Viewing course details for 2025-26 year of entry
- Code
- 011B928
- Attendance
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £10,700 (UK) * £17,100 (INT) *
- Duration
- 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
- Course Leader
- Dr David Thomas
- Study mode
- On campus, Online
- Location
- Hendon campus
- Placement year
- No
- School / Department
- Faculty of Science and Technology
Why choose Strategic Leadership in Occupational Safety and Health MSc at Middlesex?
This is a new, for 2025, professional practice award based on the IOSH Competency Framework with modules designed to integrate practice from your working environment with academia. Action, research and reflection (core to the PSRB's PDA and CPD) is built in to the programme with the project enabling you to do a ‘deep dive’ into a practice-based activity.
This course is aimed at:
- Part time UK applicants in practice to enable students to remain and integrate learning with their working environment
- Full time UK applicants in practice (whose employers will give them the time to study on a full-time basis)
- International students able to get placements through international organisations with offices in the UK and who can get a student visa.
You will be taught in a blended fashion, with a mix of in person lectures as well as online classes and technology enabled supported learning activity. Attendance on campus will enable student led discussion and activity with one module, taking advantage of the space on campus for laboratory-based learning.
The programme is designed to make it easier for you to attend campus with minimal travel, yet engage with the key information for the award making it a national award not aimed at London commuters.
What you will gain
On graduation you will have a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of Occupational Safety and Health. You will understand the application of (local) health and safety law and champion interventions establishing an acceptable level of risk.
You will have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to your own research or advanced scholarship being able to inform decisions through the interpretation of data from a multitude of sources, undertake action research in the workplace and provide change leadership in organisations.
Assignments will help you develop and improve a range of communication and engagement strategies and give you transferrable leadership skills that will create broader employability skills outside of safety and health risk areas and be able to lead a multi-disciplinary team.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
In year 1 of the part time route students will cover operational aspects of their professional discipline focusing on the management of Healthy Workplaces and Industrial Hygiene, together with H&S Practice; Operational Risks and Technology. This will challenge students to critically the practice of themselves and their organisation.
In year 2 students will develop decision making, change and broader strategic thinking through the two modules on Strategic Risk Management and Leadership, Change and Project Management.
The culmination of the programme is the MSc workplace project through practice-based learning. This will develop students' intellectual and interpersonal abilities, thereby deepening their critical comprehension of real-world applications and develop key competencies such as co-leadership, employability, employer engagement and develop digital literacy skills.
About your course
Here is a brief overview of the modules you will study on your course.
Year 1
This module covers the aspects of ‘healthy workplaces’ : evaluating regulatory requirements, audits, and environmental oversight; applying research and data analysis for effective risk management strategies; assessing occupational hygiene, hazardous agents, and workplace stressors; addressing organisational change, workforce health, and sustainable safety improvements using Best Available Techniques (BAT) in industrial hygiene management.
This module explores risk management in workplace safety, addressing physical and organisational hazards while integrating legal frameworks and practice-based strategies. Students develop skills in inspection, identification and evaluation of workplace risks, including technological challenges. It emphasizes accident investigation, auditing, and proactive solutions for occupational safety and health improvements.
Year 2
This module covers the critical aspects of risk management: evaluating risk-based approaches, resilience strategies, and limitations of risk assessment; synthesizing empirical evidence to inform decisions; analyzing communication and human factor challenges; examining environmental management systems and circular economy contributions ( UN Sustainable Development Goals) and developing emergency management and business continuity management.
This module covers the key aspects of leadership, strategy, and organisational psychology in occupational safety and health: evaluating management theories, change implementation, and strategic policy positioning; assessing human factors, perceptions, and risk acceptability; developing professional identity, accountability, and interdisciplinary collaboration; interpreting financial data; and addressing challenges in contract selection, project management, and resource allocation.
develops and fosters appropriate methodologies and analytical techniques (including where appropriate developing familiarity with relevant data analysis programmes e.g. Excel, SPSS, Nvivo etc.) to support students in undertaking their MSc Project. This will include the skills required in the management organisation and delivery of a workplace project.
This module covers the aspects of ‘healthy workplaces’ : evaluating regulatory requirements, audits, and environmental oversight; applying research and data analysis for effective risk management strategies; assessing occupational hygiene, hazardous agents, and workplace stressors; addressing organisational change, workforce health, and sustainable safety improvements using Best Available Techniques (BAT) in industrial hygiene management.
This module explores risk management in workplace safety, addressing physical and organisational hazards while integrating legal frameworks and practice-based strategies. Students develop skills in inspection, identification and evaluation of workplace risks, including technological challenges. It emphasizes accident investigation, auditing, and proactive solutions for occupational safety and health improvements.
This module covers the critical aspects of risk management: evaluating risk-based approaches, resilience strategies, and limitations of risk assessment; synthesizing empirical evidence to inform decisions; analyzing communication and human factor challenges; examining environmental management systems and circular economy contributions ( UN Sustainable Development Goals) and developing emergency management and business continuity management.
This module covers the key aspects of leadership, strategy, and organisational psychology in occupational safety and health: evaluating management theories, change implementation, and strategic policy positioning; assessing human factors, perceptions, and risk acceptability; developing professional identity, accountability, and interdisciplinary collaboration; interpreting financial data; and addressing challenges in contract selection, project management, and resource allocation.
develops and fosters appropriate methodologies and analytical techniques (including where appropriate developing familiarity with relevant data analysis programmes e.g. Excel, SPSS, Nvivo etc.) to support students in undertaking their MSc Project. This will include the skills required in the management organisation and delivery of a workplace project.
To find out more about this course, please download the MSc Strategic Leadership in Occupational Safety and Health course specification (PDF).
Register your interest
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Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
Teaching will be block teaching – for each 30-credit module delivered per semester there will be 3 periods of 2 consecutive days on campus (36 hours) supplemented by 12 hours per module per semester, delivered on line. Through embedding practice into the award will improve student experience that insists on exposure to industry. Students are to be allocated an Academic Advisor who will also act as a mentor, who together with Module Leaders will provide support for students who miss the block teaching.
Key to all of this is getting prospective students to register for an award that is delivered more flexibly yet being part of a diverse student community will be geographically disparate already in work and often with family commitments. By integrating action learning sets where students can support each other during assessment preparation we will create a professional supportive community.
By having on campus activity on two consecutive days there is opportunity for students to socialise as a group rather than rushing home. Students will normally be part of the broader IOSH community and so there will be professional support to ‘integrate’ the student experience. Use of monitored interactive blogs will encourage students to share and support each other’s academic and professional journey.
You'll be based at our Hendon campus, north London.
For this master's level degree, the emphasis is on your own independent study. Academic-led teaching will take up approximately 15% of the 1800 hours required to complete this degree.
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations. If you are a part-time student, it is advantageous if you are in relevant work and able to access your workplace for your project.
To succeed you must also do your own independent study and make use of online learning resources, including professional databases and Health and Safety Executive campaign sites. The enrolled student website (Unihub) also has interactive exercises, links to external sources of information and podcasts, and a message board for discussions.
Timetable
Whether you are studying full or part-time, your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available to you at least two weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
Typical weekly breakdown
A typical week (full-time) looks like this:
|
Learning |
Hours per week |
|
On-campus |
10 |
|
Online |
1 |
|
Independent study |
5 |
Learning terms
On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.
Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Skype or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.
Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.
Part-time study
You can also study this course part-time.
We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.
Coursework, exams and assessments
Summative assessment will be via coursework which will be a mixture of presentations, portfolios of activity, action research and reflection. Students will finish with a workplace project looking developing real-world learning building on your organisational data.
Feedback will be given via the university assessment portal but also through 1 to 1s. For your research project your will be allocated supervisor who will provide continual support through the research period.
There is also formative activity built into the design of the award, through blogs and discussion groups.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas and 600 computer spaces
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Make the most of our free laptop loans, e-books, printing and photocopying
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We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.
Our facilitiesStudent support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.
For this course, we consider your application based on:
-
Minimum 2:2 or better bachelors award demonstrating an ability to study at Level 7.
Plus
- Evidence of Level 6 qualification in Health and Safety or a portfolio, demonstrating an appropriate understanding of Risk Management Processes in their chosen industry with relevant experience.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
We welcome students from the UK, EU and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Career support to get you where you want to go after university.
For this course, we consider your application based on:
-
Minimum 2:2 or better bachelors award demonstrating an ability to study at Level 7.
Plus
- Evidence of Level 6 qualification in Health and Safety or a portfolio, demonstrating an appropriate understanding of Risk Management Processes in their chosen industry with relevant experience.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
English language
You'll need good English language skills to study with us. Find out more about our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer an intensive Pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you will need a student route visa.
Part-time study
Changes to the Immigration Rules introduced in January 2018 now allow international applicants to apply for Student route (formerly tier 4) visas for part-time postgraduate study (courses leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 or SCQF level 11 and above).
Student route visa students studying part-time are subject to certain restrictions:
- No work (paid or unpaid)
- No work placements as part of the course
- No dependants
- No extending under Student route visa in the UK. This includes Student route visa applications to work as a Students' Union Sabbatical
- Officer or for the Foundation Programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
- Not eligible for the Student route visa Doctorate Extension Scheme.
*Please note that, if the course of your choice involves work experience, unpaid work, placements or internships, we will be unable to sponsor you to study a part-time course under the Student route (formerly tier 4) visa.
Apply as early as possible to make sure you get a place. You can submit your application before you receive your final qualification.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Include details of your previous experience and how you will integrate this with your new learning. Please explain the industrial sector you are most interested in.
Interviews
You may be invited to an academic interview.
Find out how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.
How can the Strategic Leadership in Occupational Safety and Health MSc support your career?
As you will arrive with relevant workplace experience that the programme builds on, you would be expected to obtain Certified IOSH Membership (or equivalent) immediately or to consolidate Chartered or Chartered Fellow Membership. This will enable you to apply for roles at mid to senior levels in organisations.
Students often move into global roles expanding on their previous roles that include energy generation, construction, manufacturing and railway sectors. We have some students from HS2 with some from the public service sector – most students are already entering with Level 6 knowledge and are Certified Members of IOSH.
Some students will choose to study for doctoral level award or move into a research-based organisation.
MDXworks
MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.
Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:
- The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023.
- A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.
Start-Up accelerator programme
We can help you bring your business idea to life with our MDXcelerator programme which includes masterclasses with high-profile entrepreneurs, workshops, mentoring opportunities and competitions to secure seed funding.
Global alumni network
You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.
Fees and funding
The fees below refer to the 2025/26 academic year unless otherwise stated.
UK students
Full-time students: £10,700
Part-time students: £71 per credit
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit
*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide
For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.
The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated.
International students
Full-time students: £17,100
Part-time students: £114 per credit
Part-time students: £57 per dissertation credit
*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide
For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.
The following study tools are included in your fees:
- Free access to the resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
- Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
- Free printing for academic paperwork
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Help from your employer
Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
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Dr David Thomas
Senior Lecturer in Occupational Health and Safety Management
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
View our range of student ambassadorsWe’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.