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Faculty of Science and Engineering

MSc/MRes Environmental Management (in partnership with NEBOSH)

Postgraduate - Taught MSc/MRes

Open for admission in 2023/24

Start in September

Qualification Part time
MSc/MRes 2 years

About the course

These Masters-level programmes in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management have been created to address the important need for up-skilling employees in advanced, specialist topics in health, safety and environmental management.

They are the only courses of their kind created with and endorsed by NEBOSH at Masters-level, and offer those already working in industry and holding a NEBOSH diploma or BSc the chance to enhance their skills and techniques. Studying these courses will help students identify and resolve real issues relating to them in their day-to-day roles - enhanced by the final dissertation, which is written on a research project from their own work.

The programmes are completely employer focused, using current employment to evidence achievement, and are studied part-time using e-learning modules to enable study anywhere in the UK - or overseas. There are three specific pathways that can be chosen; Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management, Occupational Health and Safety Management, or Environmental Management. Each pathway can be studied either as a taught-focused MSc or more research-focused MRes making it easier to tailor the course to individual needs and study-styles.

What you'll study

For MSc students the taught modules are taken in the first year and the first semester of the second year, using the University’s e-learning environment. You also supplement learning with your own background reading. Once these have been completed, the last six months of the course consist of the research dissertation.

For MRes students, after completing the modules covering research methodology, the programme is followed by a 12 month 120 credit research project on a workplace-based topic in health, safety and/or environmental management.

The online nature of the programme means access to a stable broadband internet connection is required for access to course materials, to communicate with University staff and undertake course assessments.

Both the MSc and MRes start with core modules relating to techniques for undertaking research:

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.


  • Research Methods (NEBOSH Programmes)

    This module looks at various methods used to collect and analyse data in research projects. You'll explore the uses, advantages and disadvantages of the methods and choose the most appropriate for your main research project.

  • Literature Review

    Topics include the purpose of reviewing the literature in research, practicalities of carrying out a literature review and writing a literature review in a suitable format.

  • Designing Research Projects

    Examine what's required in writing a research proposal. You'll explore how a research problem is formulated, constructing relevant hypotheses, evaluating alternative research methods for suitability and how to create a suitable research design.

MSc students then study two core modules of their programme and one optional taught module:

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.


  • Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility

    Topics covered include sustainability and sustainable development concepts, policy considerations of climate change; resource efficiency, measuring environmental sustainability (including ecological, carbon and water footprinting) and tools for SD evaluation.

  • Ecological Services and Environmental Economics

    Examine the importance of biodiversity and relevant UN, EU and UK policies, ecological services, and the ecosystems services approach to planning and environmental management. You'll also explore the economics of climate change, including the Stern Report and economic instruments for gaining environmental outcomes.

Optional modules are themed around

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.


  • Disaster and Emergency Management

    Develop an understanding of the potential impact of a disaster on an organisation and methods of managing disasters and emergencies. You'll study historical development, definitions and institutions; law, guidance and sources of information; major incident investigation and public inquiries; and management of disasters and emergencies.

  • Safety Case Production and Assessment

    Topics studied on this module include the purpose of the safety case, safety analysis techniques, safety case production and safety case structure.

  • Flood Risk Management

    Explore the different types of flooding, the impact of flooding on people and property, and flood defences such as land use management and sustainable drainage systems, working with natural processes, channel works, banks, barriers, pumping stations and managed realignment of banks.

  • Mental Health at Work

    Examine the characteristics and consequences of common types of mental ill-health within the workplace and their effects on an individual’s health and behaviour. You'll also cover employer obligations under health and safety and disability discrimination law / conventions, and the size of the mental health ‘problem’ within the working population.

Our teaching staff

Fees and funding

  • Home (part-time) £5,775 (90 credits)

UK students can take out a Masters Loan to help with tuition fees and living costs. For 2023 entry, they provide up to £12,167 for full-time and part-time taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Find out more about Postgraduate Loans.

  • International (part-time) £6,000 (90 credits)

Fees are paid at the start of each year of these courses and the fees stated above are for the first year only.  Fees can change from year to year so the fee for the second year may be higher than that for the first year.

Some values include NEBOSH exam fees, and these may change before the course starts.

Please see the terms and conditions for International fees 2022/23

Graduate PGT Scholarship

The University of Hull is pleased to offer graduates progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate taught study a £1,000 scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Graduate PGT Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

For a list of all scholarships and bursaries for international students, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Scholarships and Bursaries

The University offers a range of scholarships to help you with your studies.

For more information, please visit the Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Cutting-edge facilities include synthesis laboratories, a state-of-the-art microscopy suite, NMR, microfluidic fabrication facilities and mass spectrometry facilities.

Industry links include projects with AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, RB (formerly Reckitt-Benckiser), Schlumberger and Unilever.

In the latest national assessment of research, 79% of our outputs were classed as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Entry requirements

Either a science or management-based Bachelors degree (2:2) or international equivalent, or at least one of the following:

  • NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or Environmental Management
  • NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or Environmental Management or equivalent
  • A professional qualification in health and safety management that satisfies the criteria for GradIOSH membership of the Institution of Occupational Health and Safety.  Examples include the NCRQ Level 6 Diploma in Applied Health and Safety, the City and Guilds National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, The British Safety Council Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health.  The full list of qualifications accredited by IOSH to GradIOSH standard can be found on the IOSH website.
  • Practitioner membership (PIEMA) of the Institution of Environmental Management and Assessment or higher.

Applicants should be practising health, safety and/or environmental professionals or be employed within an industrial or commercial environment and able to show that they can undertake health, safety and environmental based assignments and a research project at their workplace.

Application deadlines for MSc

There is one intake a year for MSc in September. As this is a very popular programme and as places are limited, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. You can now apply for September 2022 start. We generally accept applications up to 8 September unless places fill sooner.


In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group, if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved. In addition, existing undergraduate students at the University of Hull have a guaranteed ‘Fast Track’ route to any postgraduate programme, subject to meeting the entry criteria (excluding Social Work).

International students

Language requirements

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you must provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other accepted English language proficiency qualifications.

If your English currently does not reach the required standard, you may be interested in our pre-sessional English Language programmes.

Visit your country page to find out more about entry requirements.

Future prospects

The programmes are completely employer-focused, using current employment as a research base in which to evidence the skills and experience obtained. Completing one of these courses will enable you to advise on and develop systems to improve health, safety and environmental performance of organisations at a strategic level.

Due to our consistent recognition for providing NEBOSH courses to a high standard, the University and our graduates have an excellent reputation with professionals in the Humber and Yorkshire area.

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