Programs
International Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (ICMS-IntDip-OSH)
The ICMS International Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (ICMS-IntDip-OSH) a prestigious certification that upholds the highest standards in the field. It is designed for professionals who have completed tertiary education and possess a minimum of Six years relevant work experience. This program is ideal for those who have already obtained the Postgraduate Diploma and seek to advance their expertise in global Safety and Health Management.
The diploma equips candidates with in-depth knowledge not only in operational safety but also in strategic planning and policy development on an international scale. Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience through their safety-related responsibilities within their organization or for clients.
A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae and formal application are required for review. Students on this programme will complete 16 real-world Safety Case Studies and Analysis, Essay Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Practical Application Task, Short Answer Questions, True Or False Questions, Complete 5 mock examinations and a final examination.
Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (ICMS-PGDip-OSH)
The ICMS Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (ICMS-PGDip-OSH) is a prestigious certification that reflects the highest standards in the field. It is designed for individuals seeking to advance their expertise in Safety and Health Management, equipping them with both operational and strategic competencies, including policy development and Safety Management System on a larger scale.
This diploma is intended for professionals with either a tertiary qualification or a minimum of four years of relevant work experience. Applicants must demonstrate their expertise through safety-related responsibilities within their organization or for clients. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae and formal application are required for review.
Students on this programme will complete 14 real-world Safety Case Studies and Analysis, Essay Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Practical Application Task, Short Answer Questions, True Or False Questions, Complete 5 mock examinations and a final examination.
Executive Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (ICMS-ExeDip-OSH)
The ICMS Executive Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (ICMS-ExeDip-OSH) is a professionally recognized credential for individuals who have mastered the technical and operational aspects of Safety and Health Management, including legal and regulatory frameworks. ICMS retains sole ownership of the certification badge.
This program is designed for leaders looking to enhance their knowledge and insight into Safety and Health Management. While no prior degree, knowledge, or experience is required for eligibility, professionals with tertiary qualifications and a minimum of three years of work experience are encouraged to apply.
Students on this programme will complete 12 real-world Safety Case Studies and Analysis, Essay Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Practical Application Task, Short Answer Questions, True Or False Questions, Complete 5 mock examinations and a final examination.
Advanced Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (ICMS-AdDip-OSH)
The ICMS Advanced Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (ICMS-AdDip-OSH) is a prestigious credential designed for individuals looking to deepen their expertise in advanced safety and health management principles. This program provides a strong foundation for those aspiring to build a successful career in occupational safety and health.
It is specifically tailored for university students, working professionals, and newcomers seeking to enter the field. Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience through safety-related responsibilities within their organization or for clients. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae and formal application are required for review.
Students on this programme will complete 10 real-world Safety Case Studies and Analysis, Essay Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Practical Application Task, Short Answer Questions, True Or False Questions, Complete 5 mock examinations and a final examination.
ICMS qualifications regulatory information
All you need to know about each level of our qualifications.
Hours allocated for guided learning.
Hours allocated for guided learning (HGL), represent the duration a learner spends receiving instruction directly supervised by an ICMS Trainer or Supervisor. This instruction may occur through online or in-person methods, encompassing class time, tutorials, live online sessions, and structured online learning.
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
Total Qualification Time, denoted as TQT, signifies the overall hours expected for an average learner to complete a qualification. It encompasses HGL, independent study time, reading, and preparation for scheduled sessions and competency assessments not conducted under the direct supervision of an instructor. In the case of Advanced National qualifications, this is referred to as total notional hours (TNH).
General Benchmark for Learning hours per certification
Internationally, credit hours and total learning hours vary slightly depending on the country, qualification framework, and accreditation system being used, such as those in the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, the United States of America (USA), Australia, Canada, and other global education systems. Despite these variations, most international qualification frameworks are built around a common principle of measuring the total amount of learning effort required for a learner to achieve competence at a particular qualification level.
These learning hours, often referred to as Notional Learning Hours, include:
- Lectures and facilitated sessions
- Practical training and workplace activities
- Reading and independent study
- Case studies and assignments
- Research and project work
- Assessments and examinations
- Simulations and competency demonstrations
Globally, one credit is commonly estimated to represent approximately 10 notional learning hours, although the exact conversion may differ slightly across institutions and countries.
Based on international qualification benchmarking practices, the general learning hour expectations are commonly structured as follows:
| Qualification | Typical Total Learning Hours | Typical Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 120 – 300 hours | 10 – 30 credits |
| Diploma | 600 – 1,200 hours | 60 – 120 credits |
| Advanced Diploma | 1,200 – 1,800 hours | 120 – 180 credits |
| Associate Degree | 1,800 – 2,400 hours | 180 – 240 credits |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 3,600 – 4,800 hours | 360 – 480 credits |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 600 – 1,200 hours | 60 – 120 credits |
| Master’s Degree | 1,800 – 2,400 hours | 180 – 240 credits |
These benchmarks are widely used to support:
- International comparability of qualifications
- Professional competency recognition
- Workforce capability development
- Credit transfer and progression pathways
- Quality assurance and accreditation processes
At Imperial College of Mines and Safety (ICMS), programme structures are designed around competency-based professional learning principles that combine practical application, technical knowledge, workplace assignments, industry case studies, independent learning, and professional development activities to strengthen global workforce readiness.
ICMS Credit / Learning Hours by Certification Level
Below is a reworked ICMS structure aligned to common international credit-hour practice, where 1 credit is commonly treated as 10 notional learning hours, and many diploma qualifications target about 1,200 learning hours. The ICMS International Diploma remains the highest award at 1,600 learning hours, followed by the Postgraduate Diploma at 1,400 hours, Executive Diploma at 1,200 hours, and Advanced Diploma at 1,000 hours.
| ICMS Certification Level | Case Studies | Proposed Credits | Target Learning Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Diploma | 16 | 160 credits | 1,600 hours |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 14 | 140 credits | 1,400 hours |
| Executive Diploma | 12 | 120 credits | 1,200 hours |
| Advanced Diploma | 10 | 100 credits | 1,000 hours |
Summary
- International Diploma: 1,600 Credit/Learning Hours
- Postgraduate Diploma: 1,400 Credit/Learning Hours
- Executive Diploma: 1,200 Credit/Learning Hours
- Advanced Diploma: 1,000 Credit/Learning Hours
Current Weekly Learning Structure
| Activity | Estimated Hours |
|---|---|
| Weekend Lectures (Sat & Sun) | 3 hrs/week |
| Practical Assignments (Mon–Fri) | 15 hrs/week |
| Daily Reading | 7 hrs/week |
| Total Weekly Learning Hours | 25 hrs/week |
Translation of the Revised Global Standard Learning Hours into Months
| ICMS Certification Level | Target Learning Hours | Months |
|---|---|---|
| International Diploma | 1,600 hrs | 16 months |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 1,400 hrs | 14 months |
| Executive Diploma | 1,200 hrs | 12 months |
| Advanced Diploma | 1,000 hrs | 10 months |
ICMS International Positioning
Imperial College of Mines and Safety (ICMS) is strategically positioned as a leading competency-based professional training, research, assessment, and certification institution dedicated to workforce development within the mining, extractive, industrial, manufacturing, and occupational safety sectors.
Unlike traditional academic institutions, ICMS focuses on practical industry competence, applied learning, workplace readiness, and professional capability development aligned with global industry expectations and international competency-based training standards.
ICMS programmes are structured around intensive practical case studies, workplace assignments, guided reading, live weekend lectures, industry-based assessments, and professional development activities designed to strengthen technical, leadership, safety, operational, and managerial competencies.
The ICMS certification structure is internationally benchmarked to reflect progressive professional learning pathways:
- Advanced Diploma
- Executive Diploma
- Postgraduate Diploma
- International Diploma
The International Diploma represents the highest professional qualification offered by ICMS and is designed to develop globally competitive professionals capable of operating effectively across international industries and multicultural working environments.
Through its strong emphasis on competence development, practical application, leadership, safety excellence, and industry relevance, ICMS continues to position itself as a modern Pan-African professional institution committed to building competence, promoting safety, and inspiring global impact.
| Certification | Suggested Duration | International Standing |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Diploma | 10 months | Strong professional diploma |
| Executive Diploma | 12 months | Higher professional diploma |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 14 months | Advanced professional specialization |
| International Diploma | 16 months | Highest ICMS professional qualification |