One combined course, two qualification routes
Study online with the Healthy Working Lives Group at the University of Glasgow. Explore the teaching, meet the team and find practical information about preparing for DOccMed or DipOHPrac.
Course questions · The people behind the course · Research and course guidance
Course dates & fees
Spring 2027
Course runs from Monday 1st February until June 2027. £3,000 per delegate (VAT not applicable).
Venue: Fully online/remote with live interactive tutorial sessions held on Microsoft Teams.
Course overview
The University of Glasgow Diploma preparatory course provides structured preparation for the Faculty of Occupational Medicine’s Diploma in Occupational Medicine (DOccMed) and Diploma in Occupational Health Practice (DipOHPrac) examinations.
- Approved by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine
- Designed and delivered by experienced occupational health clinicians and academics. The course combines flexible university-standard online learning with interactive teaching grounded in contemporary occupational health practice.
- The course helps participants develop the practical skills required to assess the relationship between health, work and the workplace, recognise occupational risks, manage occupational health cases and communicate appropriate evidence-based advice.
- High-quality teaching, expert academic-led knowledge and dedicated candidate administrative support.
What will you learn?
The course provides a broad foundation in occupational health and prepares candidates to apply their knowledge to real workplace and clinical situations.
Key areas include:
- The role, scope and principles of occupational health
- The relationship between work, health and wellbeing
- Occupational history taking and clinical assessment
- Workplace hazards, hazard identification and risk assessment
- Occupational hygiene and principles of exposure control
- Toxicology and hazardous substances
- Ergonomics and musculoskeletal health
- Occupational respiratory and skin disease
- Mental health, workplace stress and psychosocial risk
- Physical workplace hazards, including noise and vibration
- Fitness for work and functional assessment
- The biopsychosocial approach to occupational health
- Workplace adjustments, rehabilitation and return to work
- Sickness absence and presenteeism
- Health surveillance, screening and biological monitoring
- Occupational health law, ethics, consent and confidentiality
- Workplace culture and organisational approaches to health and wellbeing
- Occupational health case management and communication of professional advice
Who is the course for?
Diploma in Occupational Medicine (DOccMed)
Designed for medical practitioners working in, developing a role in, or seeking a foundation in occupational medicine. It is particularly relevant to doctors working part-time in occupational medicine or those whose wider clinical role requires an understanding of health and work.
Diploma in Occupational Health Practice (DipOHPrac)
Designed for registered healthcare professionals developing their occupational health practice. Current Faculty of Occupational Medicine eligibility includes registered nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Teaching & Learning Structure
Participants have access to:
- Structured online distance-learning modules
- Short, interactive live tutorials with occupational health clinicians and academics
- A dedicated online learning resource centre
- Case-based learning and interactive workshops
- Practical occupational health scenarios
- Bespoke workplace videos focusing on hazard identification and risk assessment
- Occupational health consultation scenarios linking clinical assessment with workplace decision-making
- Interactive activities and knowledge checks
- Opportunities to apply learning to realistic occupational health cases
Dedicated examination preparation
The course includes structured preparation for the Faculty of Occupational Medicine assessment process alongside the development of practical occupational health knowledge.
Support includes:
- MCQ-style knowledge assessment and examination preparation
- Regular opportunities to test and consolidate learning
- Practice applying knowledge to occupational health scenarios
- Guidance on developing the Diploma portfolio
- Mock portfolio activities
- Preparation for discussing and defending occupational health decisions arising from portfolio cases
Learning objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Recognise how work can positively and negatively affect physical and mental health
- Identify common physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial workplace hazards
- Apply principles of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
- Assess the potential relationship between a health condition and work
- Take a structured occupational and employment history
- Apply a biopsychosocial approach to fitness-for-work assessment
- Consider appropriate workplace adjustments, rehabilitation and return-to-work strategies
- Understand the principles and appropriate use of health surveillance
- Apply relevant ethical and legal principles to occupational health practice
- Assess occupational health cases and formulate proportionate, evidence-informed advice
- Apply course knowledge to the FOM Diploma assessment process
Why study with the University of Glasgow?
- University-standard learning developed specifically for distance delivery
- Expert-led teaching from experienced occupational health clinicians and academics
- Practice-focused learning linking theory to genuine workplace and clinical problems
- Flexible online delivery designed to fit alongside professional practice
- Interactive rather than purely lecture-based learning
- Dedicated examination and portfolio preparation
- Candidate support throughout the programme
Accreditation
This course has received Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) CPD approval.
Important information
This is a preparatory course for the Faculty of Occupational Medicine Diploma examinations. Successful completion of the University of Glasgow preparatory course does not itself confer the DOccMed or DipOHPrac qualification. Candidates must satisfy the Faculty of Occupational Medicine’s examination, portfolio and eligibility requirements.
Cancellation policy
- Cancellations must be made in writing at least 28 days prior to the course date
- Refunds are subject to a 15% administration charge
- No refunds are available after this period
- Delegate substitutions are permitted
The people behind your learning
Our course brings together clinical practice, occupational health research and educational design. The people behind that work include:
Professor Ewan Macdonald CBE
Clinical leadership
Founder and Head of HWLG and an Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow. His work spans occupational medicine research, professional education and health and work policy.
Professor Drushca Lalloo
Clinical and academic leadership
Deputy Head of HWLG and Honorary Professor in Occupational Medicine. Her work connects clinical practice, occupational health research and postgraduate professional education.
Dr Sergio Vargas-Prada Figueroa
Occupational health research
Honorary Senior Research Fellow with expertise in applied epidemiology, musculoskeletal health and work-related health outcomes.
Dr Simon Walker
Course co-design and digital learning
Research Associate and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He contributes to the course’s educational design, drawing on his teaching experience and work in accessible digital learning.
Our wider teaching network includes Munna Roy, Imran Ghafur, Cheryl Liew, Anne Harriss, Mairi Gaffney and Alice Rutter.
Meet the wider Healthy Working Lives Group team and contact us about the teaching timetable for your intake.
Questions about DOccMed and DipOHPrac preparation
Which diploma route should I consider?
DOccMed is the Faculty of Occupational Medicine’s Diploma in Occupational Medicine, designed for medical practitioners. DipOHPrac is its Diploma in Occupational Health Practice, designed for registered healthcare professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The course team can help you identify the appropriate route and check the Faculty’s current eligibility requirements before booking.
Are DOccMed and DipOHPrac taught separately?
The University of Glasgow offers a combined preparatory course covering both diploma routes. Teaching brings candidates together around the shared principles and practical skills of occupational health, while the qualification you pursue depends on your professional background and the Faculty’s requirements.
Do I need to travel to Glasgow for the teaching?
The preparatory teaching is fully online, combining distance-learning modules with live tutorials on Microsoft Teams. Glasgow is our academic base in Scotland. Candidates should check the Faculty’s separate examination and portfolio requirements for their chosen qualification.
When is the next intake and what is the course fee?
The advertised Spring 2027 course runs from Monday 1 February until June 2027. The preparatory course fee is £3,000 per delegate, with VAT not applicable. Check the University of Glasgow CPD listing for current information.
Can I study alongside work, and how much time should I allow?
The course combines flexible online learning with scheduled live tutorials. Before booking, ask the course team for the intake timetable, attendance expectations and expected weekly study commitment so you can plan around work and other responsibilities.
Are live sessions recorded?
Please check recording availability and arrangements for missed sessions with the course team before booking. This will help you judge whether the timetable and available support fit your circumstances.
What examination and portfolio support is provided?
Preparation includes MCQ-style knowledge activities, opportunities to apply learning to occupational health cases, guidance on developing the diploma portfolio, mock portfolio activities and preparation for discussing occupational health decisions.
Does completing the course award me the diploma?
This is a preparatory course. Completing the University of Glasgow teaching does not itself confer DOccMed or DipOHPrac. Candidates must satisfy the Faculty of Occupational Medicine’s examination, portfolio and eligibility requirements.
What does the advertised fee cover?
The advertised £3,000 is the preparatory course fee. Ask the course team to confirm the fee inclusions and any separate Faculty examination charges before making your booking.
How do I ask a question or register?
For advice about the course, email shw-healthyworkinglivesgroup@glasgow.ac.uk. When you are ready, use the course registration form to begin your booking.
Enquiries
For further information, please contact:
