OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
Build advanced capability in occupational health and safety management through a seven-unit UK-regulated diploma covering risk control, workplace hazards, legal and regulatory practice, incident management, health and safety culture, and professional leadership for modern organisations.
A professionally focused diploma designed for learners who want advanced competence in occupational health and safety management, compliance, hazard control, organisational improvement, and progression toward senior HSE roles or further study.
Explore Your OTHM Level 6 Professional Pathway
Use the premium accordion tabs to review qualification facts, eligibility, all seven units, assessment, learner support, IOSH recognition, progression and official verification links.
Advanced OHS Management Capability
Learners examine the legal and regulatory background to occupational health and safety policy, evaluate policies, understand management systems and assess a wide range of workplace risks.
The programme also develops the ability to promote positive culture, manage incidents, influence organisational decisions and demonstrate ethical professional practice.
OTHM Level 6 qualifications are comparable in academic level to bachelor's-degree-level study. This describes the qualification level and does not mean the 60-credit diploma is the same as a complete bachelor's degree.
Why Learners Choose OTHM Level 6
Develop senior-level policy and management knowledge
Build evidence-based competence relevant to advanced occupational health and safety practice and progression.
Strengthen risk, incident and workplace-control competence
Build evidence-based competence relevant to advanced occupational health and safety practice and progression.
Study seven connected mandatory units
Build evidence-based competence relevant to advanced occupational health and safety practice and progression.
Demonstrate learning through applied assignments
Build evidence-based competence relevant to advanced occupational health and safety practice and progression.
Prepare for Level 7 and postgraduate progression
Build evidence-based competence relevant to advanced occupational health and safety practice and progression.
Meet the academic qualification element for relevant IOSH membership review
Build evidence-based competence relevant to advanced occupational health and safety practice and progression.
Who Should Join the Level 6 Diploma
HSE Officers & Advisors
Progress towards higher responsibility and strategic work.
Safety Supervisors
Develop management, risk-control and compliance capability.
Engineers & Managers
Build structured occupational safety leadership competence.
Career Progression Learners
Prepare for Level 7, professional membership and senior roles.
Check Whether Your Profile Fits Level 6
PESS reviews qualifications, practical background, age and English readiness before formal registration.
- Age 18 or Above: Learners must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the course.
- Relevant H&S Qualification: A recognised certificate or diploma covering the required foundation concepts.
- Mature Experience Route: Applicants over 21 with at least two years of practical experience may be considered.
- English Competency: Evidence may be required for applicants from non-majority English-speaking countries.
Not a Beginner-Level Programme
The source page positions Level 6 for learners who already possess relevant safety knowledge or practical experience and are ready for management, legal, technical and leadership study.
Professional Direction
Suitable for HSE officers, advisors, supervisors, engineers, managers and career-progression learners seeking higher occupational health and safety responsibility.
Eligibility Review First
PESS confirms the correct entry route and required evidence before enrolment so learners are placed on an appropriate qualification.
Entry Requirements & Admission Evidence
Relevant Prior Qualification
A relevant NQF, QCF or RQF certificate or diploma—or an equivalent recognised qualification—covering occupational health and safety foundation concepts.
Required Foundation Concepts
Prior learning should cover science and technology, legal systems, workplace safety, risk, management principles, occupational hygiene, psychology, IT, literacy and numeracy.
Mature Learner Route
Mature applicants over 21 with at least two years of practical experience may be considered following an individual centre assessment.
Age and English
Learners must be at least 18 at the start of the course. English-language competency evidence may be required where applicable.
Admission is confirmed only after PESS reviews the applicant against the applicable OTHM requirements. Applicants may be asked to provide identification, prior education and safety qualifications, an updated CV, employment evidence for the mature route and English-language evidence where required.
Seven Mandatory Units
Health and Safety Management Principles and Policy
Unit focus: Develop a critical understanding of health and safety management principles, organisational systems and policy review.
- Performance objectives and targets
- Effective health and safety systems
- Policy development and critical review
- Recording and communication systems
- Organisational change and governance
- Continual improvement
Health and Safety Management Practice
Unit focus: Translate policy into effective planning, organising, leading, controlling, reviewing and auditing practice.
- Planning and organising safety practice
- Leadership and operational control
- Performance review
- Proactive and reactive indicators
- Audit and management review
- Worker health and wellbeing
Risk and Incident Management
Unit focus: Evaluate risk, loss events and incidents using structured assessment, investigation and control strategies.
- Hazard identification
- Risk evaluation
- Hierarchy of control
- Loss causation and data
- Incident investigation
- Corrective and preventive action
Promoting a Positive Health and Safety Culture
Unit focus: Understand the organisational, human and leadership factors that influence behaviour, culture and performance.
- Organisational culture
- Human and organisational factors
- Leadership styles
- Worker consultation
- Behaviour and communication
- Culture-improvement strategy
Maintaining a Safe Workplace Environment
Unit focus: Apply critical technical knowledge to control workplace, occupational health, equipment and hazardous-substance risks.
- Workplace contexts and transport
- Work at height and confined spaces
- Noise, vibration and radiation
- Hazardous substances and PPE
- Work equipment and machinery
- Fire, electricity and emergency control
Health and Safety Law, Regulation and Influence
Unit focus: Interpret international legal and regulatory frameworks and evaluate how practitioners influence compliance.
- International legal frameworks
- Duties and responsibilities
- Regulatory systems
- Enforcement approaches
- Organisational compliance
- Professional influence
Development of the Health and Safety Practitioner
Unit focus: Strengthen practitioner competence, ethics, communication, leadership and continuing professional development.
- Practitioner roles and responsibilities
- Ethical professional practice
- Competence assessment
- Training and recruitment strategy
- Communication and influence
- CPD and career planning
Assignments, Portfolio Evidence & RPL
Evidence-Based Assessment
The qualification is criterion referenced. Learners must provide sufficient evidence to meet every learning outcome and all assessment criteria for each unit.
Pass / Fail Grading
The overall grading type is Pass or Fail rather than percentage or distinction grading.
Evidence-Based Work
Assignments should demonstrate analysis, evaluation, professional application and reliable referencing.
Feedback and Reassessment
PESS provides assessor feedback and manages reassessment according to policy and OTHM requirements.
Recognition of Prior Learning
RPL may be considered for units, but the entire diploma cannot be claimed through RPL.
Structured Support from Admission to Completion
Eligibility Review
Review of qualifications, experience, English readiness and required admission evidence.
Learner Induction
Clear guidance on units, assessment criteria, academic integrity, policies and learner responsibilities.
LMS Access
Course materials, assignment briefs, submission areas, feedback and learner activity through Moodle.
Tutor Guidance
Scheduled teaching, subject explanations, learning activities and support with applied understanding.
Academic Writing
Guidance on report structure, critical discussion, Harvard referencing and evidence-based conclusions.
Assessment Feedback
Clear assessor feedback linked to learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Internal Quality Assurance
IQA sampling and standardisation help maintain fair and consistent assessment decisions.
Progress Monitoring
Attendance, LMS activity, submissions, feedback actions and completion progress are monitored.
From Eligibility Check to OTHM Result
Apply
Submit your registration information and supporting documents.
Eligibility Review
PESS checks qualification, experience, age and English readiness.
Induction & Registration
Complete learner induction and formal registration arrangements.
Study & Submit
Attend learning, use the LMS and submit evidence for seven units.
Assessment & IQA
Receive assessment decisions, feedback and internal quality assurance.
OTHM Verification
Assessment decisions are externally verified before final results and certification.
IOSH Membership & Professional Recognition
IOSH Membership Review
IOSH lists the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in its accredited qualification directory for Certified grade. Current CertIOSH requirements also include at least two years of professional experience and CPD. Membership is not automatic.
Check Current IOSH Requirements →Academic Qualification Element
The supplied page states that IOSH lists the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in its accredited qualification directory for Certified grade.
Membership Is Not Automatic
Successful completion of the diploma does not itself automatically confer Certified membership. Current IOSH requirements must also be met.
Professional Experience
The supplied page notes that current Certified-grade requirements include at least two years of relevant professional experience.
Continuing Professional Development
Current IOSH requirements referenced in the supplied page also include CPD. Learners should check IOSH directly for the latest criteria.
Career Value
A recognised Level 6 OHS qualification can strengthen professional credibility, but employment, title and salary depend on employer and role requirements.
Verification First
Professional-body criteria may change. Always verify current membership requirements directly with IOSH before making an application.
Level 7, Master’s Progression & Official Links
RQF Level 6 Equivalence
OTHM states that Level 6 qualifications are comparable in academic level to bachelor's-degree-level study. The 60-credit diploma is not a complete bachelor's degree.
Review Official Specification →IOSH Membership Review
IOSH lists the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in its accredited qualification directory for Certified grade. Current CertIOSH requirements also include at least two years of professional experience and CPD. Membership is not automatic.
Check Current IOSH Requirements →Level 7 and Master's Progression
Successful learners may progress to the OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management or seek entry to relevant master's programmes, subject to admissions criteria.
Explore OTHM Progressions →OTHM Level 6
Complete the advanced OHS diploma.
Professional Practice
Apply knowledge and build senior experience.
OTHM Level 7
Progress to strategic OHS management study.
Master’s Route
Seek relevant postgraduate admission where eligible.
Senior HSE Career
Develop toward advanced leadership responsibility.
OTHM Level 6 Qualification Page
Review the awarding organisation’s official qualification information, entry requirements, units, assessment and progression.
View Official Qualification →OTHM Level 6 Specification PDF
Review the published OTHM specification used for detailed qualification structure and regulatory information.
Open Specification PDF →IOSH Certified Membership Requirements
Check the current professional experience, qualification and CPD criteria directly with IOSH.
Check IOSH Requirements →PESS OTHM Level 7 OHS Management
Explore the next PESS progression route into strategic occupational health and safety management.
Explore OTHM Level 7 →OTHM University Progression
Review OTHM progression information for relevant university and postgraduate opportunities.
Explore OTHM Progression →Important Questions Before You Enrol
What is the full qualification name?
The full title is OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, qualification number 603/5002/7.
What are the official entry requirements?
Applicants must normally hold a relevant recognised occupational health and safety certificate or diploma covering the required foundation concepts. Mature learners over 21 with at least two years of practical experience may also be considered. Learners must be at least 18 years old, and English-language evidence may be required.
How many units are included?
The diploma contains seven mandatory units. Successful learners complete 60 credits, 600 hours Total Qualification Time and 220 Guided Learning Hours.
How is the qualification assessed?
All units are internally assessed by the approved centre and externally verified by OTHM. Assessment is criterion referenced and normally uses assignments and portfolio evidence. Every learning outcome and assessment criterion must be achieved for a Pass.
Is there a final written examination?
The official assessment methods are assignment and portfolio of evidence. The qualification is not based on one final written examination.
Can a learner resubmit referred work?
Where a learner has not achieved a Pass, the centre must provide a clear feedback and reassessment process in accordance with OTHM requirements and the centre assessment policy.
Can Recognition of Prior Learning be used?
RPL may be considered for individual units where valid evidence meets the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. The complete qualification cannot be claimed through RPL.
Does the qualification automatically give CertIOSH membership?
No. IOSH lists the OTHM Level 6 Diploma as an accredited qualification for Certified grade, but membership is not automatic. Current IOSH requirements also include relevant professional experience and continuing professional development.
What can I study after Level 6?
Successful learners may progress to the OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management or seek entry to relevant master's degree programmes, subject to the receiving institution's admission requirements.
What support does PESS provide?
PESS provides admission review, induction, LMS access, scheduled teaching, tutor guidance, academic-writing support, assessment feedback, internal quality assurance and learner progress monitoring.
Submit your details for an eligibility review. PESS will confirm the applicable entry route, documents, current intake, timetable and delivery arrangement before registration.