OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management
Safety leadership is now a board-level responsibility. Organisations need people who can do more than follow procedures: they need managers who can design management systems, judge their effectiveness, and turn organisational strategy into safe, healthy day-to-day operations.
The OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management is built for exactly that. It is a postgraduate-level qualification, regulated by Ofqual, for managers and practitioners who develop and apply health and safety arrangements in their organisation and want to progress into senior and strategic roles.
M2Y Global Academy delivers this diploma online with tutor support, so you can study around work wherever you are based, including India, the UAE and the wider GCC.
Qualification at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Qualification | OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management |
| Awarding organisation | OTHM Qualifications (Ofqual Recognition Number RN5284) |
| Qualification number | 603/7782/3 |
| Level | RQF Level 7 (same level as a master’s degree) |
| Credits | 120 |
| Total Qualification Time (TQT) | 1,200 hours |
| Guided Learning Hours (GLH) | 600 hours |
| Structure | 6 mandatory units of 20 credits each |
| Assessment | Internally assessed by the centre, externally verified by OTHM; criterion-referenced (pass when all learning outcomes and assessment criteria are met) |
| Professional route | Learners who complete the diploma are eligible to apply for Certified membership of IOSH (CertIOSH) |
| Study mode with M2Y | Online, with tutor support |
Source: OTHM official qualification page and the official specification (PDF).
About the OTHM Level 7 Diploma in OHS Management
The qualification aims to develop occupational health and safety management skills in managers who have the authority and personal attributes to translate organisational strategy into effective operational performance. It reflects current practice in the field and helps learners build and extend a high-level understanding of occupational health and safety in the workplace.
It is aimed at people who are responsible for developing and applying health and safety procedures on a day-to-day basis, and who are likely to be managers looking to improve their knowledge and skills.
Is it equivalent to a master’s degree?
OTHM Level 7 diplomas sit at the same level on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) as a master’s degree. They are shorter, at 120 credits, so to complete a full master’s you would normally move on to a 60-credit dissertation stage with a university partner. See OTHM’s university progression page for details.
Why Choose This Qualification?
- Strategic focus. Move beyond compliance and learn to evaluate and improve health and safety management systems across an organisation.
- Regulated and recognised. Approved and regulated by Ofqual, the qualifications regulator for England.
- Professional membership route. Completing the diploma makes you eligible to apply for CertIOSH, the gateway to Chartered membership of IOSH.
- Academic progression. Where appropriate, learners can progress to a master’s top-up at many UK and overseas universities with advanced standing.
- Research skills built in. The Advanced Research Methods unit prepares you for postgraduate study and evidence-based practice.
- Flexible for working professionals. Study online at your own pace with guidance from experienced tutors.
Course Structure: 6 Mandatory Units
The diploma has six mandatory units, each worth 20 credits (100 GLH and 200 TQT per unit).
| Unit | Credits | What it develops |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Safety Management Practice | 20 | Applying health and safety management principles and practice at managerial level |
| Effectiveness of Health and Safety Management Systems | 20 | Evaluating how well management systems work and how to improve them (see also ISO 45001) |
| Factors Affecting Risk and Strategic Risk Intervention | 20 | Understanding what drives risk and planning strategic interventions |
| Strategic Commitment to Health and Well-Being | 20 | Building leadership commitment to worker health, wellbeing and safety culture |
| Sustainability and Ethics in Health and Safety Practice | 20 | Linking safety practice with sustainability, ethics and professional responsibility |
| Advanced Research Methods | 20 | Research design and critical evaluation skills for postgraduate-level work |
| Total | 120 | 1,200 TQT / 600 GLH |
Unit titles and credits follow the OTHM specification. The “what it develops” column is a plain-language summary; the full learning outcomes are in the official specification.
Key terms explained
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TQT | Total Qualification Time: the estimated total learning time, 1,200 hours for this diploma |
| GLH | Guided Learning Hours: teacher-supervised or directed study time, 600 hours here |
| Credit | One credit represents about 10 hours of learning, so 120 credits is about 1,200 hours |
| RQF Level 7 | Regulated Qualifications Framework level equivalent to master’s-level study |
Entry Requirements
To enrol on the OTHM Level 7 Diploma in OHS Management, learners are expected to have:
- A minimum of a Level 6 qualification, such as the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or another equivalent Level 6 qualification; or
- An honours degree (2.2 or above) together with relevant knowledge and experience in the occupational health and safety sector; and
- Be aged 21 or over at the start of the course.
Applicants with substantial relevant professional experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
English language: If you are not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need to show evidence of English language competence. See OTHM’s English language expectations.
Not sure whether you qualify? Speak to an M2Y advisor and we will check your background against the entry criteria.
How the Diploma Is Assessed
All units are internally assessed by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualification is criterion-referenced: to pass a unit you must provide evidence that you have met all of its learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Assessors keep an audit trail showing how they reached their judgement.
Unit-specific assessment guidance and marking criteria are set out in OTHM’s Assignment Brief documents, which centres receive once learners are registered. M2Y tutors guide you through each assignment brief and its expectations.
Who Should Enrol?
This diploma suits:
- Health and safety managers and senior officers moving into strategic roles
- HSE and QHSE professionals who already hold a Level 6 qualification
- Consultants who want a recognised postgraduate-level credential
- Professionals planning to apply for CertIOSH and work towards Chartered status
- Graduates and practitioners who want a route to a master’s top-up
Professional Recognition: CertIOSH and the Route to Chartered Status
OTHM states that learners who successfully complete this diploma are eligible to apply for Certified membership of IOSH (CertIOSH). IOSH sets its own membership requirements, so check the current conditions, including experience and CPD, on the IOSH Certified membership page.
From Certified level, the next step is Chartered membership (CMIOSH). IOSH offers Chartered status through its Professional Development Assessment (PDA) route, and its Chartered membership page sets out the current requirements, routes and fees. Note that IOSH has closed new registrations on its older Initial Professional Development (IPD) route, so confirm the current process with IOSH before you plan your timeline.
Career and Study Progression
Career paths
- Head of HSE / Safety Manager
- QHSE or Safety Consultant
- Corporate or Regional Safety Lead
- Policy, compliance and risk advisory roles
- Safety leadership in construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, logistics and facilities management
Academic paths
- Master’s top-up programmes with partner universities (dissertation stage, 60 credits)
- Further postgraduate study and research in safety, risk, sustainability or management
Build your qualification pathway with M2Y
| If you are… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Starting out in OHS | OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in OHS |
| Building towards degree level | OTHM Level 6 Certificate in OHS or OTHM Level 6 Diploma in OHS |
| Preferring a competence-based route | ProQual Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Strategic Health & Safety Leadership and Management |
| Comparing Level 6 options | NEBOSH International Diploma or IOSH Level 6 Diploma |
| Adding management-system skills | ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS Lead Auditor Course |
| Broadening into risk or sustainability | OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Risk Management or OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Environmental and Sustainability Management |
Preparing for interviews as you progress? Read our guide to the top 50 HSE job interview questions.
Why Study with M2Y Global Academy?
- Online study with tutor support designed around working professionals
- Learners across India, the UAE and the GCC, with real-world examples from construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing
- Guidance on assignments so you understand the assessment criteria from day one
- Support before you enrol: eligibility checks, pathway advice and registration help
- Current offers on selected programmes: see M2Y course offers and the training calendar
Learn more about M2Y Global Academy.
What you need to study online
- A reliable internet connection and a modern laptop, computer or tablet
- Good academic reading and writing skills (postgraduate-level study)
- Time each week for study and assignments
- Self-motivation and good time management
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an Ofqual-regulated RQF Level 7 qualification (120 credits, 1,200 TQT, 600 GLH) for managers and aspiring senior practitioners who develop and apply health and safety procedures in organisations. The qualification number is 603/7782/3.
It is at the same RQF level as a master's degree, but it is a 120-credit diploma. To gain a full master's you would normally progress to a dissertation stage (60 credits) with a university partner.
Learners need a Level 6 qualification (or equivalent), or an honours degree (2.2) with relevant OHS knowledge and experience, and must be 21 or over. Applicants with substantial professional experience may be considered case by case.
Units are assessed internally by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. There are no exams specified by OTHM for this qualification: learners must meet all learning outcomes and assessment criteria in each unit's assignment.
OTHM states that learners completing the diploma are eligible to apply for CertIOSH. IOSH decides membership, so check its current requirements before applying.
Yes. OTHM leaves the delivery mode to approved centres, and M2Y delivers the programme online with tutor support.
Where appropriate, yes. Learners can progress to a master's top-up at many UK and overseas universities with advanced standing. Entry depends on each university's own requirements.
