Higher Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health (Online)

Course Summary

ATU Sligo (formerly IT Sligo), has been delivering courses in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for over 20 years. We are the leading provider of online OSH programmes in Ireland and we offer a full suite of online OSH courses at Levels 6, 7, 8 and 9. 

This course is designed for anyone who may be responsible for health & safety within the workplace, that wish to gain a formal qualification in OSH and who may wish to become a Safety Practitioner (e.g. Safety Officer). Course graduates will be able to assist their employer in complying with workplace health & safety regulatory requirements. 

Completing the Higher Certificate in OSH is the first step towards becoming a fully qualified Safety Officer when you continue your studies with ATU Sligo by progressing to the Level 7 BSc. in OSH afterwards.  

This is a two-year course. 

Entry requirements are Leaving Certificate or equivalent. Relevant industrial experience & training may also be considered in relation entry requirements through ATU Sligo’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process. 

12 modules (3 per semester) are studied over 4 semesters. 

3 x live online lectures (also recorded) are delivered per week over 12 weeks each semester. 

Attendance at live lectures is not mandatory, but we do encourage it as it is very beneficial for student participation. 

All live lectures are recorded so students can look back at the recordings anytime afterwards to accommodate those who cannot attend the live lecture (e.g. shift workers). 

Assessments are a mixture of: (exam & continuous assessment) or (100% continuous assessment). 

This course is accredited by the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH). 

If you require further information, please contact the Course Coordinator, John Crummy by clicking here. 

Key Course Information

This course is offered part-time over two years through online lectures and resource materials which are available at anytime to the learner. 

Live Lectures: Typically lectures occur on line one evening per week for approximately one hour. There are opportunities to ask questions and interact similar to a real classroom experience or alternatively the live recordings can be accessed for repeat viewing at any time. Participants require a broadband service to access the material and participate on the course. There will be one workshop per semester where the students will undertake teamwork, case studies, lectures and/or site visits. 

Study hours: Whether you are studying part-time online, blended or full-time online, it is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals. For part-time online or blended learning, it is recommended that you should try to allow for 5-6 hours per week per 5 credit module to your studies.

Assessments: Assessments will be a blend of online and final examinations and students will be instructed in these online methods at the start of the course.

Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate or equivalent award.The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in Occupational Safety and Health that may or may not have any previous qualifications.

Exemptions in specific modules on the Higher Certificate are available to students who have completed the L6 Special Purpose Award in Occupational Safety and Health or who have a QQI (Fetac) award or equivalent in Health and Safety Representation Training.

Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligo’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie

If you require further information, please contact the Higher Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health (Online) Course Coordinator, John Crummy by clicking here

Career Opportunities

All workplaces have legal responsibilities in relation to Occupational Safety and Health. Employment opportunities may exist in all types of industries and organisations.

The Higher Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health Level 6 provides an opportunity to enter third level education with the possibility of progressing to Levels 7 and 8.

Further Study

Holders of this award eligible for entry to BSc in Occupational Safety & Health (Online)  full time or online.Students with a NFQ Level 6 award can easily continue to a NFQ Level 7 award within a similar discipline.

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees

Total Programme Fee: €5,400

To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage.

 
If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.

For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.

If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage. 
 

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4