If you're interested in how occupational health matters can affect our lives, then learn all about the relevant theory on our engaging and specialised programme! You'll benefit from the experience of academics that are specialists in their field, with a supportive learning environment provided by our partner trusts and employers. Having run this programme for many years, we are proud to say that our achievement rates are high and our attrition rates are very low. Improve your knowledge of occupational health and gain the skills needed to move onto great things within this area.
Graduate destinations
You can use what you learn from this course to study further at postgraduate level to take an MSc/PgD/PGC in Practice development. Alternatively, you can use the skills and knowledge you gain from this course to go onto a career as an occupational health technician or nurse, a Health and Safety practitioner or a screening nurse.
Course outline
Course summary
This is a non NMC accredited course that provides a breadth and depth of theoretical knowledge necessary for effective occupational health practice. You do not have to be working in occupational health to take this programme.
You'll choose from a range of contemporary modules covering issues such as the legal and ethical aspects of occupational health, health surveillance and stress management. These modules have been explicitly designed to meet the needs of students in a wide range of practice settings.
Modules
Year one
Compulsory Modules
- Legal & Ethical Aspects of Occupational Health
Optional Modules (Subject to availability and demand)
- Ergonomics in the Workplace
- Facilitating Health Behaviour Change
- Fitness for Work
- Health Surveillance and Toxicology
- Mental Health in the Workplace
- Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Management
- Absence Management
- Workplace Stress Management
- Travel Health
Year two
Compulsory modules
- Leadership and Change
- Negotiated Learning
Programme Specification
Programme Specification
For detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course.
Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods
Full details are available in the programme specification.
Timetables
The teaching timetable should be available from the end of August. Access to the timetable is through the Student Hub – you will be able to access the Student Hub after you have completed online registration. The teaching day is 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; please keep your other commitments open until confirmation of your teaching timetable, and bear in mind that many courses will offer placements or fieldwork which sometimes extends into the evenings and weekends.
Entry requirements
Have a question about our entry requirements?
Entry Requirements
See course specific entry requirements listed below.
Selection criteria
Those who do not meet this criteria should apply for the BSc (Hons) Occupational Health: Practice Development programme.
International applicants will need to demonstrate evidence of study at a level equivalent to the general entry requirements. These will be in accordance with NARIC Guidelines (The British Council 2007 and revised annually) and International Qualifications for entry to Higher Education (UCAS, 2007 and revised annually) as well as satisfying the English Language requirements for admission which include any of the following:
- The British Council International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
Students do not have to be employed in an occupational health setting to benefit from this course. Students will not require a Disclosure Barring Service clearance.
Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis and potential students will be offered advice by an academic tutor on the suitability of the award and their module choice within the award, dependent on factors such as currency of prior learning, and their personal and professional development needs. Students should be able to show potential benefit from studying for the award and a commitment to attempting the assessment items.
Application information
Making your application
Applications should be made online directly to the university - visit our website or contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk for details and guidance. There is no official closing date but we would encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many courses are competitive.
What makes a good application?
We consider all aspects of your application, not simply your qualifications and grades. We look at your academic background and performance, relevant experience (particularly for professional courses where some voluntary or paid experience is required) and your reference. Above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential - evidence that you can benefit from study at higher education level.
Make sure you include:
- Relevant qualifications/evidence of ability: check our website for the specific entry requirements required for each course. Tell us your previous academic results and your projected grades.
- A supportive reference, from an employer or your school or college.
- A good personal statement.
Explain clearly what attracts you to the course and tell us about your wider interests and experience. If you are applying for a course that incorporates professional training and placements, you should include any relevant experience or visits you have made in the workplace. Highlight your individual strengths and qualities, personal skills, capacity for teamwork, contribution to the community and your enterprise, originality and determination. Select some activities which bring out these qualities.
What next?
When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and if you are successful at this stage you will get either - an offer (with an invitation to visit the campus to which you have applied), or - an invitation to interview on a particular date. If we are not able to offer you a place on your chosen course we will usually try to offer you a place on a similar course and will contact you to discuss this. Alternatively, if we think you are suitable, but cannot offer you a place on your preferred campus because of the level of competition, we will offer you a place at another campus if one is available.
And if I accept?
The admissions team will contact you and send further information from February onwards about accommodation, and from May/June onwards about preparing to join the university. If you have any other queries, please telephone the admissions offices for information and advice on 0845 6061144.
Deferred entry
We welcome applications for deferred entry on some courses. If you have specific plans during your year out, indicate these on your personal statement as they may be relevant to your course and could enhance your application.
International students
Please see the international pages of our website for full details of our entry requirements (including English-language skills) as well as contacts for advice and support.
From 2009 the UK Border Agency introduced a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) for students coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Students entering higher education will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) plus finance confirmation to obtain a Tier 4 student visa.
UK education providers are licensed by the UK Border Agency. When students apply for their visa (or entry clearance) they will need a valid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies from the university. Please note that a CAS is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.
See the following websites for further details:
Student finance
We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.
Student FinanceAdditional costs
All students will need to purchase stationery, course books and personal equipment. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc.
Additional CostResources and facilities
As one of the UK's leading health departments, we can offer a fantastic level of student support and a wide range of high quality courses. Our expert academic and clinical practice staff are dedicated to helping you enhance your learning, which has helped produce our excellent employment record. Our NHS related provision achieved the highest possible rating on our recent review by the Quality Assurance Agency.
