- Where you can study
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Distance and online
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Not open to international students
Specialise in Occupational Health and Safety for your Master of Health Science at Massey
The Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) is a 180 credit master’s qualification.
It offers a professional pathway or a research pathway option for health and safety practitioners seeking advanced studies in creating healthy workplaces.
A Master of 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
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Master of Health Science is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second etc.
The Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) offers a research pathway.
Progression from Part One to Part Two, you must achieve a minimum B grade in the Part One Core course, 1 of 168711 Health Research Design and Method or 179702 Advanced Research Methods.
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
Courses you can enrol in
Credit summary
180 credits
Research Pathway
- Part One compulsory course – 30 credits
- Part One subject courses – 30-60 credits
- Part Two research courses – 90-120 credits
A specialisation (subject) is compulsory.
Advanced entry: Those who have already completed specified qualifications in advance of the minimum entry requirements and have been granted credit for it, may be able to complete this degree in 60 - 120 credits.
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.
Core courses for the Master of Health Science
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Master of Health Science core courses
Occupational Health and Safety courses
Compulsory course
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 detailsSubject courses
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 detailsCourse 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 detailsCourse code: 252702 Fatigue Risk Management for Occupational Health and Safety 30 credits
The application of sleep and circadian science when considering fatigue risk management, shift work, and occupational health and safety. An examination of approaches to fatigue management, including fatigue risk management systems. Consideration of the regulatory requirements for the management of fatigue to ensure occupational health and safety.
View full course detailsPart Two
Research Pathway
Course code: 250810 Thesis 90 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250811 Thesis 90 Credits Part I 45 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250812 Thesis 90 Credits Part II 45 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250813 Thesis 120 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250814 Thesis 120 Credits Part I 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250815 Thesis 120 Credits Part II 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250817 Research Report 60 credits
Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a report of the research for examination.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) you will have been awarded or qualified for:
- a relevant health-related bachelor’s degree with a minimum B- grade average over the 200/300 level courses, or
- a relevant health-related bachelor’s degree and extensive professional experience, or
- a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant health-related discipline, or
- a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) degree.
If you have a postgraduate diploma in a relevant health-related discipline or a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) from Massey University as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.
This programme is suited to registered health professionals.
You must 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 and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $11,645
- International students: Not applicable
Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.
There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Course fees
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Find more scholarships and awardsFees 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
Careers and job opportunities
Career options once you have graduated 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.
Accreditations and rankings
ShanghaiRanking - public health
Massey University is ranked in the top 500 universities in the world and fourth in New Zealand in the subject area of public health by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
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