OTHM Qualifications Level 5 Diploma Occupational Health and Safety Practice, online from 6 months
Awarded by OTHM Qualifications and Ofqual-regulated at RQF Level 5: 120 credits, 7 units, assessed by assignment with no exams. Delivered 100% online by LEAP Education.
£10 to apply · Offer within 24 hours · Apply with qualifications or relevant work experience
Stanmore School of Business Limited — UK registered learning provider since 2017.
- Duration
- 9 months
- Credits
- 120
- Level
- RQF Level 5
- Assessment
- Assignment-based (no written exams)
- Start date
- Any time
- Fees from
- £190 / month
What this qualification is
The OTHM Qualifications Level 5 Diploma Occupational Health and Safety Practice is awarded by OTHM Qualifications and regulated by Ofqual at RQF Level 5. The qualification totals 120 credits across structured mandatory units. Listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. LEAP Education delivers this programme 100% online with tutor support.
Standard completion is 9 months; accelerated completion in 6 months is offered on this programme where shown below. Fees from £950. Assessment is through coursework and assignments — there is no requirement to attend a UK campus.
Health and safety practitioners in UK workplaces subject to HSE regulations. Progress toward IOSH membership and Level 7 strategic safety management.
Senior hiring panels for Head of EHS roles stop interviewing candidates who can only recite compliance regulations and start asking how they reduced incident rates while keeping production lines running. The difference between a mid-level safety officer and a strategic safety director is the ability to translate regulatory requirements into operational efficiency that protects the bottom line.
You will move from reactive incident reporting to designing proactive risk frameworks that executive boards actually fund and support. This qualification enables you to lead cross-functional safety audits, negotiate complex liability protocols with multinational stakeholders, and implement health systems that reduce downtime. You gain the authority to enforce safety standards not as administrative hurdles, but as critical components of business continuity and asset protection.
- Awarding organisation: OTHM Qualifications
- Regulation: Ofqual, RQF Level 5
- Credits: 120
- Units: 7
- Duration: 9 months (accelerated 6 months)
- Progression: Progress toward IOSH membership and Level 7 strategic safety management.
Key facts
- Qualification:
- Level 5 Diploma Occupational Health and Safety Practice
- Awarding organisation:
- OTHM Qualifications
- Level:
- RQF Level 5
- Credits:
- 120
- Study mode:
- 100% online
- Duration:
- 9 months
- Assessment:
- Assignment-based (no written exams)
- Fees from:
- £190 / month
- Entry requirements:
- A Level 4 qualification or equivalent (e.g., HNC, Level 4 Diploma), or equivalent; or relevant experience. Minimum age 18.
- Progression:
- Progress toward IOSH membership and Level 7 strategic safety management.
- Last verified:
- 5 September 2026 by Dr Namita Singh, Head of Academics
Related: Occupational Health and Safety Qualifications, browse related courses.
Explore: Level 3 OHS technical certificate, Level 5 OHS practice diploma.
See how the programme works, how you're assessed and how online study fits around your job.
What you'll study
Health and Safety Management Systems
Design and audit integrated safety frameworks that satisfy global certification requirements and drive operational efficiency across international sites.
Risk Assessment and Control
Execute rigorous threat analysis to prioritize mitigation strategies that protect high-value assets and maintain business continuity in volatile environments.
Occupational Health and Safety Law
Interpret and apply cross-border regulatory obligations to minimize legal exposure and ensure compliant operations within multinational supply chains.
Hazard Identification and Control
Deploy systematic detection methods to eliminate root causes of workplace incidents before they disrupt production or compromise brand reputation.
Safety Procedures and Protocols
Standardize operational safety guidelines to ensure consistent compliance and risk reduction across geographically dispersed and culturally diverse teams.
First Aid and Emergency Response
Orchestrate decisive crisis interventions that safeguard personnel welfare and minimize operational downtime during critical workplace emergencies.
Workplace Safety and Health Monitoring
Leverage performance metrics to demonstrate safety ROI to senior leadership and drive data-backed improvements in organizational risk culture.
Every unit is assessed by written assignments submitted online, with tutor feedback and sample assignments to guide you.
Two ways in
Qualifications
A Level 4 qualification or equivalent (e.g., HNC, Level 4 Diploma), or an international equivalent. Higher qualifications are also accepted.
Work experience
Candidates with 2+ years of relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply. Your practical knowledge counts.
Minimum age 18. International applicants welcome. Send us your certificates and we'll confirm eligibility within 24 hours.
Fully online
No campus visits. Study on any device, in any time zone.
Materials included
Study notes, sample assignments and resources from day one.
24/7 study assistant
Instant explanations and assignment guidance from our AI study assistant.
Tutor feedback
Qualified tutors mark assignments and give feedback by email and chat.
Where this can take you
Office for National Statistics, ASHE Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time — Health and safety managers and officers (SOC 3582). Data year: 2025 provisional (released 23 October 2025). Geography: UK. Occupation: Health and safety managers and officers. Data type: Median gross annual earnings of full-time employee jobs. Not a minimum, maximum, or average of a range. https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/occupation4digitsoc2010ashetable14/2025provisional
This figure is the UK median gross annual earnings of full-time employees in the cited occupation. It is not a minimum or a maximum, and it is not the pay of people who completed this qualification. Actual pay varies by location, hours, experience and employer. Completing this qualification does not guarantee employment or this salary.
Indicative UK salary information for related occupations. Figures reflect the referenced occupation and data source, not guaranteed earnings after completing this qualification.
Progression: Progress toward IOSH membership and Level 7 strategic safety management.
Universities that recognise this qualification for progression
- University of Greenwich
- Edith Cowan University (Australia)
Progression routes vary by university and programme. Contact admissions for current entry requirements.
Choose your pace
All plans are interest-free and include every unit, study material and tutor support. A £10 enrolment fee applies.
| This page9 monthsStandard mode | 6 monthsFast-track | |
|---|---|---|
| Total fee | £950 | £1,250 |
| Monthly | £190 × 5 | £416.67 + £416.67 + £416.66 (total £1,250) |
| Quarterly | £475 × 2 | — |
| Pay in full | £902.50 (save 5%) | £1,187.50 (save 5%) |
| Apply | Apply |
- Monthly£190 × 5
- Quarterly£475 × 2
- Pay in full£902.50 (save 5%)
- Monthly£416.67 + £416.67 + £416.66 (total £1,250)
- Pay in full£1,187.50 (save 5%)
* Programme fees shown include online learning, study materials and tutor support for the qualification. A separate £10 enrolment fee is payable when you submit your application. Interest-free instalment plans and a 5% discount for paying the full programme fee upfront are available where shown.
Need a different payment plan? Our admissions team can help.
Talk to an adviser on WhatsApp →Who awards your qualification
This qualification is awarded by OTHM Qualifications, an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation. OTHM qualifications are regulated on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and recognised by employers and universities in the UK and internationally.
Regulation
Ofqual-regulated at RQF Level 5, 120 credits.
Find OTHM Qualifications qualifications on the Ofqual Register →
Provider
Stanmore School of Business Limited · Company No. 10591140 · UKPRN 10085235.
OTHM Qualifications →
Start in three steps
- 01
Apply online
Complete the short form and pay the £10 enrolment fee. About five minutes.
- 02
Receive your offer
We confirm eligibility and email your start date and payment options.
- 03
Start learning
Pay your first instalment and get access to your units.
Insights and Q&A
Extra detail beyond this page — written for learners researching fees, assessment and outcomes.
Common questions
Is this qualification regulated by Ofqual?
Yes. This qualification is awarded by OTHM Qualifications at RQF Level 5 and is listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications.
Can I study from outside the UK?
Yes. The programme is 100% online with no campus visits, so you can study from anywhere in the UK or internationally.
Are there any exams?
No. Every unit is assessed through written assignments submitted online. There are no written examinations.
What are the entry requirements?
Applicants should hold a Level 4 qualification or equivalent (e.g., HNC, Level 4 Diploma) or an equivalent credential. Candidates with 2+ years of relevant professional experience are also encouraged to apply. Minimum age 18.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
You can choose 9 months (Standard mode, £950); 6 months (Fast-track, £1,250). Interest-free instalment plans are available on each option.
When can I start?
You can enrol at any time. Once your application is accepted and the first payment is made, you receive access to the learning platform and study materials.
What can I progress to?
Progress toward IOSH membership and Level 7 strategic safety management.
Who operates LEAP Education?
LEAP Education is a brand of Stanmore School of Business Limited (Company No. 10591140, UKPRN 10085235), a UK learning provider.
Last reviewed 5 September 2026 by Dr Namita Singh, Head of Academics
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