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IOSH Academy – Level 6 Diploma course details

Study with us for a degree-level qualification in occupational safety and health

The IOSH Level 6 Diploma is studied online, at your own pace, and can typically be completed in one to two years. Successful completion meets the academic requirements for IOSH Certified membership.

  • Three units of study

    Each unit is mapped to the IOSH competency framework and combine to give you the skills employers need.

    • Advanced OSH management principles in organisations
    • OSH integration within an organisation
    • Leading and influencing in OSH

  • Learn online, at own pace

    Study part-time on our online learning platform – no fixed location, no formal exams.

    • Self-led induction to get you started
    • Physical textbooks to support your online learning
    • Timetabled live workshop sessions

  • CertIOSH on completion

    Meets academic requirements for IOSH Certified membership.

    • Assessed by recorded presentations and written reports
    • Personal tutor support throughout
    • CertIOSH recognised by employers worldwide

Student membership

If you're not already an IOSH member, we’ll set you up as a Student Member as part of your application. Student membership costs £15 per year.

Apply for a place

Fill out the online form and we’ll contact you to confirm the next steps and enrolment details.

  • Apply now

How long does the IOSH Diploma take?

The IOSH Level 6 Diploma usually takes between 12 and 24 months to complete, depending on your study pattern and professional commitments.

  • Accelerated: 12–14 months

    Study around seven to nine hours per week.

  • Typical pace: 16–18 months

    Study around four to six hours per week.

  • Extended: up to 24 months

    Study around three to five hours per week.

Timeline of study

  1. Application and enrolment

    After we receive your application form, there are a few steps before you can start the course:

    • our team reviews your CV and qualifications to confirm you’re eligible
    • we make you an offer
    • you pay for the course
    • we set you up as an IOSH Student Member and start your course enrolment.

  2. Start the course

    Once enrolment is complete, you can start the course.

    You follow a self-led induction and get a welcome email from your personal tutor.

    You receive your course text books by post (the qualification fee includes UK delivery, an additional charge applies for international delivery).

  3. Unit 1 e-learning

    Approximately 8–16 weeks

    This unit has eight modules of e-learning on advanced occupational safety and health management principles in organisations. You learn about different approaches to workplace safety, including:

    • legal frameworks around the world
    • risk management and incident management
    • integration of safety and health risk processes.

    You take part in a live workshop at the mid-point of the unit (three-and-a-half hours). 

    There's an assessment preparation module and your tutor can provide support.

  4. Unit 1 assessment

    Approximately 10–12 weeks

    You submit a series of reports, presentation slides and recordings for your unit 1 assessment.

    There are four submission points during the year. Before each cut-off date, you can revise your work as many times as you like. All feedback is provided by your tutor.

    Once the cut-off date passes, your last submission becomes the final version.

  5. Unit 1 sign off

    Your tutor confirms you’ve completed unit 1 and are ready to move to on to unit 2.

  6. Unit 2 e-learning

    Approximately 16–28 weeks

    This unit has 13 modules of e-learning on occupational safety and health integration within an organisation. You’ll learn about:

    • organisation-wide approach to occupational safety and health
    • contribution of safety and health at each stage of producing a product or service
    • implications for workplace safety and health of external factors and organisational change
    • how occupational safety and health in an organisation contributes to sustainability.

    You’ll take part in a live workshop at the mid-point of this unit (three-and-a-half hours).

  7. Unit 2 sign off

    Your tutor confirms you’ve completed the unit 2 e-learning and are ready to move on to unit 3.

  8. Unit 3 e-learning

    Approximately 7–14 weeks

    This unit has seven modules of e-learning on leading and influencing in occupational safety and health. You’ll learn about:

    • behaviour and performance
    • supporting others to get results
    • developing an organisation-wide approach to safety and health
    • reviewing your own performance and identifying how you can develop.

    You take part in a live workshop at the mid-point of the unit (three-and-a-half hours). 

    There's an assessment preparation module and your tutor can provide support.

  9. Unit 2 and 3 assessment period

    Approximately 14–18 weeks

    Unit 2 and 3 are assessed together. You produce:

    • a written occupational safety and health strategy proposal for a real-life scenario
    • a presentation of your strategy proposal
    • a reflective report.

    There are four submission points during the year. Before each cut-off date, you can revise your work as many times as you like. All feedback is provided by your tutor.

    Once the cut-off date passes, your last submission becomes the final version.

  10. Final results and graduation

    Final grades are confirmed and you’re awarded your diploma.

Download the factsheet

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