Strategic HSE Leadership
Analyse safety and environmental performance at management level and help shape organisational policy.
UK-Regulated Qualification • RQF Level 7
NOCN Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability Management
Develop advanced capability in HSE leadership, occupational risk management, environmental performance, ESG and sustainability strategy through a 120-credit UK qualification. Apply through PESS under its associated-centre arrangement with OSHTREE Training & Consultancy.
9 mandatory unitsPortfolio assessment120 UK credits
PESS works with OSHTREE as an associated centre for this NOCN qualification.
Awarding organisation: NOCNQualification 610/7249/7 • PESS Associated with OSHTREE
01 • Course Overview
A strategic qualification for experienced HSE professionals.
An evidence-led diploma that brings health, safety, environment and sustainability decisions together at organisational level.
The NOCN Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability Management is designed for professionals moving towards senior management, advisory and leadership roles. Its nine mandatory units address governance, health and safety legislation, major risks, occupational hygiene, well-being, pollution control, ESG, research and organisational change.
It develops the ability to evaluate evidence, guide improvement and connect workplace protection with wider organisational strategy. The qualification was developed in collaboration with OSHTREE Training & Consultancy.
Integrate HSE and sustainability strategy
Interpret legal and compliance duties
Evaluate complex risks and incidents
Support evidence-based decisions
Understanding Level 7: this is postgraduate-level learning within the UK's qualifications framework. The diploma is not itself a university master's degree; admission to further study is decided by the receiving institution.
02 • Career Benefits
Learn to make stronger HSE and sustainability decisions.
Develop advanced professional knowledge to complement your existing experience. A qualification can strengthen your profile, but employment and progression depend on individual circumstances.
Environmental & ESG Capability
Connect pollution prevention, corporate responsibility and sustainability priorities.
Evidence-Based Practice
Strengthen research, evaluation, risk decisions and continuous improvement in professional settings.
03 • Entry Requirements
Check if this NOCN Level 7 diploma is right for you.
NOCN expects candidates to be able to study at Level 7 and provide suitable professional evidence.
Age 19 or above
Applicants must be at least 19 years old.
Relevant qualifications
Typically a Level 6 qualification or higher in HSE or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Professional responsibilities
A leadership or senior advisory role in HSE, environment or sustainability is expected to support workplace evidence.
English & evidence access
Proficiency in written and spoken English, plus access to suitable assessment opportunities and resources.
Individual eligibility check: there is no automatic admission on the basis of age or a certificate alone. The centre must check prior learning, experience and ability to produce the required Level 7 portfolio. Ask PESS to review your background.
04 • Complete Course Units
All nine mandatory units. Visible and clearly explained.
Each unit below lists its official name, NOCN unit reference, credits and guided learning hours. The highlighted learning themes explain its practical subject areas and do not replace the official assessment criteria.
01
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Strategic Leadership and Governance in Occupational Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability
Lead integrated HSE and sustainability strategy with ethical governance and accountable decision-making.
Key learning themes- Strategic direction and organisational priorities
- Governance, ethics and accountability
- Integrated HSE and sustainability policies
- Leadership, consultation and performance
02
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Occupational Health and Safety Law, Compliance and Management Systems
Evaluate legal duties and management systems that support effective occupational health and safety governance.
Key learning themes- Legislation and compliance obligations
- Management-system processes and controls
- Policy, audit and assurance approaches
- Monitoring and management review
03
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Risk, Incident and Resilience Management
Examine complex risks, learn from incidents and strengthen the organisation’s ability to respond and recover.
Key learning themes- Strategic risk assessment and controls
- Incident analysis and root causes
- Emergency planning and business resilience
- Corrective and preventive improvements
04
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Occupational Hygiene and Exposure Control
Understand health hazards and approaches to assessing and controlling harmful occupational exposures.
Key learning themes- Chemical, physical and biological exposures
- Exposure assessment and monitoring
- Control measures and prevention
- Health protection and effectiveness review
05
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Workplace Health, Well-Being and Ergonomics
Consider practical and strategic approaches to worker health, well-being and ergonomic risk reduction.
Key learning themes- Occupational health and well-being
- Human factors and work design
- Ergonomic hazard identification
- Workplace health improvement strategies
06
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Environmental Management Systems and Pollution Control
Review environmental management systems, significant impacts and practical pollution-prevention strategies.
Key learning themes- Environmental aspects and impacts
- Environmental management systems
- Waste, emissions and pollution control
- Performance monitoring and improvement
07
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Sustainability, Environmental, Social and Governance and Corporate Responsibility
Connect sustainability and ESG priorities with responsible organisational decision-making and stakeholder expectations.
Key learning themes- ESG principles and accountability
- Social and environmental responsibility
- Stakeholder considerations and reporting
- Sustainability governance and planning
08
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Research, Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Use research, critical thinking and innovation to support evidence-led improvement in HSE and sustainability.
Key learning themes- Research questions and evaluation
- Evidence appraisal and interpretation
- Innovation and change opportunities
- Continuous improvement planning
09
NOCN • Mandatory Unit
Project and Change Management for Occupational Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability
Plan and manage organisational projects and change initiatives across integrated HSE and sustainability functions.
Key learning themes- Project scope, planning and resources
- Implementation and stakeholder engagement
- Managing change and communication
- Project monitoring and evaluation
Official structure: 9 mandatory units, 120 total credits and 340 guided learning hours. Successful assessment in every mandatory unit is required. Read the NOCN specification.
05 • Assessment & Quality
Portfolio-based assessment. Real evidence of learning.
The qualification is internally set and internally assessed; the awarding-body rules govern the evidence needed for each unit.
How you are assessed
Complete a portfolio of evidence showing achievement against the learning outcomes and criteria in each mandatory unit. Assessment is Pass / Fail.
There is no separate multiple-choice examination listed as the prescribed method in the official NOCN qualification specification. The centre sets appropriate portfolio tasks and assesses the evidence.
Assessment quality requirements
Submitted evidence must be evaluated using the quality principles identified by NOCN:
✓ Valid
✓ Authentic
✓ Current
✓ Sufficient
✓ Reliable
✓ Quality assured
Examples of possible evidence: professional reports, risk evaluations, policies, improvement plans, analysis and other relevant documents may be considered if accepted by the assessor and mapped to the official criteria. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is considered only under NOCN procedures.
06 • Admission to Certification
The complete six-step learner journey.
A clear route from your initial PESS enquiry to OSHTREE-managed registration, evidence assessment and certification.
Enquire with PESS
Discuss your previous qualifications, current HSE responsibilities and preferred study arrangements.
Eligibility screening
Your academic background, work experience and access to portfolio evidence are reviewed.
Formal learner registration
OSHTREE coordinates enrolment with the relevant awarding-body arrangements after acceptance.
Guided learning & portfolio
Study the required content, undertake relevant activities and collect suitable workplace evidence.
Assessment & quality assurance
The portfolio is reviewed by assessors and subject to required internal and external quality checks.
Qualification achievement
After all unit requirements are successfully met and verified, certification is coordinated through the authorised route.
07 • Support & Delivery
Know who supports your studies and who awards the diploma.
Transparent responsibilities help applicants understand where their application, assessment and certification are handled.
PESS • Associated Centre
Enquiries, initial suitability guidance, learner recruitment and approved learning support.
OSHTREE • Programme Administration
Formal learner registration, assessment arrangements, internal quality assurance and certification coordination.
NOCN • Awarding Organisation
Qualification standards, award requirements and applicable external quality assurance.
Learner access: the supplied PESS–OSHTREE programme terms indicate an 18-month learner-portal access period. Please confirm that this term, study mode, trainer approvals, fees and any extensions apply to your current enrolment before payment.
08 • Career Pathways
Grow towards senior HSE and sustainability roles.
Roles and opportunities depend on relevant work experience, employer requirements and local professional rules.
Head of HSE
Strategic oversight of organisational safety priorities.
Health & Safety Manager
Leadership of risk, compliance and management systems.
Environmental Manager
Environmental impacts, controls and performance.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability initiatives and organisational responsibilities.
ESG Manager
Environmental, social and governance programmes.
Risk & Compliance Manager
Strategic assurance, regulatory responsibilities and risk.
HSE Consultant
Advice, programme evaluation and organisational improvement.
Senior HSE Adviser
Technical and strategic support for management decisions.
Progression after the diploma
The official qualification specification identifies potential progression to senior management and advisory work, professional consultancy, and suitable postgraduate or MBA programmes. This Level 7 diploma is not itself a master’s degree and does not guarantee admission to a university top-up.
01 • Complete NOCN Level 7
02 • Apply learning in senior practice
03 • Explore further study or leadership
09 • Recognition & Verification
Clear awarding-body information. Independent verification links.
The diploma is awarded by NOCN. PESS is associated with OSHTREE for promotion, recruitment and support; PESS does not claim independent NOCN centre approval.
NOCN Level 7 Diploma
Official qualification number 610/7249/7, with nine mandatory units, 120 credits and prescribed portfolio assessment. Verify the specification and regulated status.
PESS Associated with OSHTREE
Under the associated-centre arrangement, PESS provides learner-facing support while OSHTREE coordinates formal registration, assessment and certification.
IOSH Qualification Directory
The NOCN Level 7 Diploma is listed by IOSH. Membership is separately assessed by IOSH; no grade, chartered status or professional title is awarded automatically.
Why discuss your Level 7 route with PESS?
PESS is an ISO 9001:2015 certified training and consultancy organisation based in Hyderabad, Sindh. The team can help you understand programme eligibility, required documents and the associated enrolment route before you make a decision.
For applicants in Pakistan, the Gulf or other countries, acceptance for employment, local certification or academic equivalence depends on the receiving authority or employer. PESS does not guarantee HEC equivalence, visas, employment or a particular IOSH membership grade.
Ask PESS about admissions and recognition →Official NOCN Specification ↗NOCN Qualification Directory ↗IOSH Qualification Directory ↗UK Regulated Qualification Register ↗
NOCN and OSHTREE logos identify their respective qualification and programme roles; they do not represent independent NOCN centre approval for PESS. Use of logos and final promotional content remains subject to the parties’ branding and approval terms.
10 • Frequently Asked Questions
NOCN Level 7 Diploma questions answered clearly.
All answers are visible without clicking or expanding anything.
What is the full name of the qualification?
NOCN Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability Management. Its qualification number is 610/7249/7.
Is the NOCN Level 7 Diploma regulated in the UK?
The NOCN specification identifies it as a UK Level 7 qualification. Check the NOCN specification and the UK Register of Regulated Qualifications using qualification number 610/7249/7.
How many mandatory units are included?
Nine mandatory units, making 120 credits in total. All nine units must be achieved for the diploma.
What are the learning hours?
The official specification sets 1,200 Total Qualification Time (TQT) hours, of which 340 are Guided Learning Hours (GLH). These are learning-hour measures, not a promised calendar duration.
What is the minimum age?
Learners must be at least 19 years old.
Do I need a Level 6 qualification?
Applicants typically have a relevant Level 6 qualification or higher, or equivalent professional experience. PESS and OSHTREE must assess the applicant’s suitability and ability to produce Level 7 evidence.
Do I need current HSE or environmental work experience?
The qualification expects access to relevant workplace experience and assessment opportunities. A leadership or senior advisory role helps applicants produce appropriate evidence.
Is there a written examination?
The specified assessment method is a portfolio of evidence, internally set and internally assessed. Evidence must meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for each unit.
How is the portfolio assessed?
Assessors review evidence for validity, authenticity, currency, sufficiency and reliability. Assessment is subject to internal quality assurance and applicable external quality assurance.
Does the diploma use grades?
The NOCN specification states Pass / Fail grading.
Can previous learning count towards the diploma?
Recognition of Prior Learning may be considered under NOCN policies where appropriate. Any recognition requires assessment and is not an automatic exemption.
Does PESS independently award the diploma?
No. NOCN is the awarding organisation. PESS supports enquiries, recruitment and learning under its associated-centre arrangement with OSHTREE, which coordinates formal registration, assessment and certification.
Is the diploma equivalent to a master’s degree?
Level 7 is postgraduate-level study on the UK framework, but this diploma is not itself a university master’s degree. Any advanced standing or further-study offer is determined by the receiving institution.
Is the qualification accepted in Pakistan and Gulf countries?
Its UK qualification status can be independently checked, but acceptance for employment, licensing or local academic equivalence depends on the relevant employer, university or authority in each country.
Does completion give automatic IOSH membership?
No. The qualification appears on the IOSH qualification directory under NOCN, but IOSH membership grades and professional status require a separate application and fulfilment of its current criteria.
How can I apply or ask about fees?
Contact PESS on WhatsApp 0300 0837473 or use the online registration page. The team can confirm current fees, availability, delivery method, required documents and formal registration arrangements.