CPD in Occupational Medicine

Our CPD course prepares medical practitioners for the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) Diploma in Occupational Medicine (DOccMed) examination.

University of Manchester students have a higher chance of passing the DOccMed multiple choice question (MCQ) exam. The May 2023 pass rate for Manchester students was 95.5%, compared to an overall pass rate of 79.2%.

Our CPD in Occupational Medicine is an approved course, offering preparation for the Faculty of Occupational Medicine Diploma (DOccMed). The course is delivered on a part-time blended learning basis over approximately four months.

Benefits of our CPD course

  • Study in a research-rich university environment. Established in 1945, the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) is the oldest and probably largest academic centre in occupational health in the UK.
  • Successful completion of our course gives you 30 university credits that you can put towards further academic study.
  • We are the only part-time (over 4 months), fully online course offering preparation for the DOccMed.

Course overview

The two units (Fundamentals of Occupational Health and Introduction to Work-Related Ill-Health)  provide a basic level qualification aimed principally at GPs working part-time in occupational medicine, covering the main issues affecting health and work.

On completion of our course, you will have achieved a level of knowledge and competence appropriate to a generalist working in occupational health.

Please note that no formal academic qualification from the University is awarded at this level. However, successful completion of the course gives you 30 university credits that you can put towards further academic study. Students are provided with a certificate of attendance, making the holder eligible to apply for the FOM DOccMed examinations.

More information about the course content can be found on the course details page.

Who this course is for

This course is suitable if you are a GP and anticipate that occupational medicine will take less than 50% of your time.

Our CPD course is also suitable for doctors practising in other areas of medicine who would like to learn more about occupational medicine. Full details of the FOM Diploma examination regulations are available on the FOM website.

CPD points and further progression

Although our CPD course does not result in an academic qualification from the University, students who attend the course are eligible for 10 CPD points towards their re-validation.

Should you wish to continue on to our postgraduate course for a Master of Science (MSc) award, you will be required to successfully pass the summative assessments for the two 15-credit units.

Alternatively, you can provide evidence of successful completion of the FOM's DOccMed so that you can gain the 30 credits for these two units through Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).

Please visit the MSc/PGDip/PGCert Occupational Medicine course page for further details of our postgraduate awards.

University attendance

There are currently two intakes a year for this course (March and October). Both intakes will be entirely online and will not require attendance at the University.

As part of the course, CPD students can also register for our four-day practical occupational hygiene workshop, which is on campus in Manchester. The workshop dates are released after students have registered on the programme. Attendance is optional and non-attendance does not affect your CPD progression.

What our students say

"Distance learning fits in well with my work."


"The course is well organised with excellent speakers. It offers good preparation for the FOM exam."


"This course will appeal to future intakes because of the rich references and the excellent manner in which it is organised."


"The CPD course is well organised and contains detailed relevant material that is practically applicable to everyday practice."

Fees

The fee for the CPD course for 2024/25 entry is:

  • UK students: £1,450 per 15-credit unit (£2,900 per 30 credits)
  • International students: £3,500 per 15-credit unit (£7,000 per 30 credits)

Entry requirements

Potential students must hold a medical degree from an approved institution. No experience in occupational medicine is necessary, although to sit the FOM professional examinations some relevant clinical experience is required.

Students whose first language is not English and who have not received a first degree from a University of a majority English-speaking country should demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system, such as IELTS or TOEFL. We require a minimum of:

  • IELTS level of 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in any one component
  • TOEFL Internet-Based Test 90 with a minimum of 22 in any one component

If you are unable to meet the requirements above, it may be possible to ascertain your English proficiency via an interview with the programme director. However, you would not be able to readmit onto the MSc (if you so wished) unless you met and could provide evidence of the IELTS or TOEFL criteria specified above.

You will also need to provide official degree certificates (certified translation if not in English).

It is your responsibility to liaise with professional bodies on matters of eligibility for professional examinations, and to adhere fully to the DOccMed regulations when applying to take the FOM exams. It is also your responsibility to check the appropriate syllabus when preparing for professional examinations.

Every attempt is made to ensure that course material is as up-to-date as possible. However, the professional bodies will expect candidates to show knowledge of current/changing practice, some of which may not be available within the course materials.

How to apply

Applications for this course are made online via the University's postgraduate applications website.

When you apply, the Programme Description for this level is 'Occupational Medicine (CPD)'. 

Please note: students from overseas may need to apply for short-term student immigration permission if they wish to attend the (non-compulsory) Occupational Hygiene practical course on campus in Manchester.

Application deadlines

The deadline for the October 2024 intake is 20 September 2024.

The deadline for the March 2025 intake is 28 February 2025.

The deadline for the October 2025 intake is 26 September 2025.

Applicants will need to submit all of the required application documentation by the above deadline. Any applicant with information outstanding at this date will be deemed to have missed the deadline.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Contact us

If you need to ask us a question, please use the following contact details:

Email: pgtaught.cbm@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 1798