Occupational Health and Safety – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science

Occupational health and safety (OHS) has become an integral part of business. Help improve the health and wellbeing of workers by preventing work-related injuries.

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Not open to international students
Note: Semester One start only.

Specialise in Occupational Health and Safety for your Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science at Massey

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) is a 120 credit programme. If you are a health and safety practitioner looking for advanced studies in creating healthy workplaces, this qualification is ideal.

A Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Occupational Health and Safety is a good fit if you:

  • want to create healthy workplaces
  • want to prevent injuries and ill health at work
  • want to improve the health and wellbeing of workers.

Planning information

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Compulsory course

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 251731 Advanced Occupational Health and Safety 30 credits

An examination of current issues in Occupational Safety and Health and issues commonly found in the work environment.

View full course details

Compulsory course selection

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 168711 Health Research Design and Method 30 credits

Philosophical, ethical and methodological issues in relation to health research are examined. Selected quantitative and qualitative methods are explored in depth, in preparation for developing a research proposal for a thesis, or research project.

Restrictions: 168810, 168710

View full course details
Course code: 179702 Advanced Research Methods 30 credits

An examination of research methods, traditions and techniques used in social work, social policy and health research. The course is designed to assist in developing a research proposal for a thesis, or research project.

View full course details

Subject courses

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 251770 Health and Safety Auditing 30 credits

A comprehensive examination and critical analysis of current theories and practice in relation to auditing and assessing organisational health and safety performance.

View full course details
Course code: 251772 Advanced Occupational Hygiene 30 credits

An advanced course studying the current issues in occupational safety and health, which involves the recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards in the work environment, including the study of noise, ventilation systems and air pollution.

View full course details
Course code: 252702 Sleep, Fatigue Risk Management and Occupational Health and Safety 30 credits

The application of sleep and circadian science in fatigue risk management, shift work, and occupational health and safety. An overview of the organisational processes required to implement a fatigue risk management system, as well as regulatory requirements for management of fatigue and shift work in occupational health and safety.

Restrictions: 252701

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) you will have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Health Science degree or an equivalent qualification.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Career options for graduates include:

  • health and safety managers
  • WorkSafe New Zealand and ACC employees
  • occupational health and safety consultants
  • occupational health nurses
  • environmental health, air pollution and noise control specialists
  • occupational hygienists
  • human resource managers and advisors.

Related study options