Programme Overview
This diploma is OTHM's most advanced occupational health and safety qualification — safety management practice, systems effectiveness, strategic risk intervention, and a genuine treatment of sustainability and ethics in safety practice, for managers translating organisational strategy into operational safety performance.
Why Study This Programme?
Workplace safety leadership at this level means influencing organisational strategy, not just enforcing procedure — and this diploma is built for managers with exactly that scope of responsibility, with a credential that carries real weight in the safety profession.
Who Is This Programme For?
- Safety managers responsible for organisational safety strategy
- Holders of a relevant Level 6 qualification (e.g. OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety) or an honours degree with relevant OHS experience
- Professionals aiming toward senior safety, risk or compliance leadership
- Consultants working in occupational health and safety
Is This Programme Right for You?
This programme may be suitable if you:
- Want to develop genuine, structured knowledge in health & safety
- Want a GTEC-approved, internationally structured qualification
- Want a credible academic pathway rather than a one-off certificate
- Are ready to meet this programme's specific entry requirements
- Want assignment-based, coursework-led learning
- Want to keep options open for further OTHM study or university progression
What Does Level 7 Mean?
Level 7 is a Postgraduate / Master's level qualification (RQF Level 7) — the same RQF level as a master's degree. OTHM's Level 7 Diplomas represent practical knowledge, skills and competences assessed as equivalent to a master's degree programme. However, at 120 credits they are shorter than a full master's (typically around 180 credits); learners normally need to complete a further dissertation stage (around 60 credits) with a university partner to convert the Diploma into a complete master's degree.
Qualification Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management |
| Level | 7 |
| Qualification Type | Postgraduate Diploma (Master's Level) |
| Awarding Organisation | OTHM Qualifications |
| Ofqual Reference | 603/7782/3 |
| Regulation Start Date | 11/08/2021 |
| Operational Start Date | 11/08/2021 |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Credits | 120 |
| TQT | 1,200 Hours |
| GLH | 600 Hours |
| Assessment | Coursework |
| Grading | Pass / Fail |
| Delivery Mode | [CIC TO CONFIRM] |
| Language | English |
| GTEC Status | GTEC Approved |
Entry Requirements
Standard Entry
Learners should typically hold a minimum of a Level 6 qualification (such as the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or a similar Level 6 qualification), or an honours degree (2:2 or above) with relevant knowledge and experience in the occupational health and safety sector.
Mature Learner Entry
Applicants over the qualification's standard age threshold with relevant work or life experience may also be considered, subject to CIC's and OTHM's mature-entry provisions. This should be confirmed with CIC Admissions at the point of application.
Programme Structure — Units
| Unit | Credits |
|---|---|
| Health and Safety Management Practice | 20 |
| Effectiveness of Health and Safety Management Systems | 20 |
| Factors Affecting Risk and Strategic Risk Intervention | 20 |
| Strategic Commitment to Health and Well-Being | 20 |
| Sustainability and Ethics in Health and Safety Practice | 20 |
| Advanced Research Methods | 20 |
Programme Objectives
This programme is designed to build health and safety management practice and evaluating safety management system effectiveness, alongside the broader subject knowledge summarised in the Programme Overview above. Detailed, unit-level learning objectives are set out in the official OTHM qualification specification.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion, learners are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate health and safety management practice
- Demonstrate evaluating safety management system effectiveness
- Demonstrate strategic risk intervention
- Demonstrate strategic commitment to health and wellbeing
- Demonstrate sustainability and ethics in safety practice
- Demonstrate advanced research methods
Skills You Will Develop
Assessment
Assessment is conducted through coursework and structured assignments in accordance with the applicable OTHM qualification specification. Learners are assessed on their achievement of each unit's specified learning outcomes and assessment criteria, with work internally assessed and quality assured by the centre, and externally verified by OTHM.
Why Assignment-Based Learning?
Coursework and structured assignments let you apply what you're learning directly, build genuine research and critical-thinking skills, and demonstrate your understanding through written, evidence-based work rather than a single exam. This is not "easier" — it still requires meeting the qualification's full learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Career Opportunities
Potential career areas may include:
- Safety management
- Workplace risk management
- Construction safety leadership
- Industrial safety management
- Environmental health and safety
- Compliance and risk leadership
Career Sectors
Professional Development
Academic Progression
Progression from one level to the next is subject to meeting that level's own entry requirements — it is never automatic, and not every learner progresses through every level.
University Progression
Graduates may be able to progress to a Master's degree top-up or Doctoral programmes (postgraduate level), subject to the admission, recognition and credit-transfer requirements of the receiving university.
International Progression
International progression opportunities may be available, subject to the receiving institution's admission, recognition and credit-transfer requirements. Recognition is not guaranteed by every university worldwide.
Career Pathway
Why CIC?
- GTEC-approved academic programme portfolio
- Internationally structured OTHM UK qualifications
- Student-centred, assignment-based learning
- Guidance on realistic academic and career progression
- A college that treats this qualification as one step in a longer pathway, not a one-off certificate
Student Experience
[CIC TO CONFIRM — specific facilities, support services and student life information for this programme area.]
Illustrative Student Profile
The Safety Leadership Professional
Background: An experienced safety manager or Level 6 OHS qualification holder.
Motivation: Wants advanced, strategic-level safety management capability and professional recognition.
Why this level:
Potential next step: Advanced safety leadership capability, with a credential recognised toward CertIOSH-level professional standing.
Academic Integrity
Learners are expected to submit original work, reference sources appropriately, and follow CIC's and OTHM's academic policies on research ethics and plagiarism. Academic misconduct, including undisclosed collaboration or unattributed sources, may affect a learner's results.
Responsible Use of AI (proposed website guidance)
Where AI tools are used in study, they should support — not replace — independent learning. Students remain fully responsible for submitted work, must verify any AI-assisted content, and must follow CIC's and OTHM's assessment rules. Undisclosed or prohibited use of AI-generated work may constitute academic misconduct.
How to Apply
- Choose your programme.
- Check entry requirements.
- Submit application.
- Provide supporting documents.
- Application review.
- Admission decision.
- Enrolment.
- Begin studies.
Documents Required
- Identification [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Academic certificates [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Academic transcripts [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Passport photograph [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- CV, where required [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Proof of English proficiency, where applicable [CIC TO CONFIRM]
Fees
Programme Fees: Contact CIC Admissions for current fees and payment information.
Next Intake
Next Intake: Contact CIC Admissions for the current intake schedule.