Qualification Structure

The Qualifi Level 7 International Diploma in Process Safety Management is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 600 hours and 210 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), with 60 credits.

Assessment for the Qualifi Level 7 International Diploma in Process Safety Management is assignment-based. Learner work is assessed in accordance with Qualifi assessment and quality assurance requirements to ensure that learners demonstrate the required knowledge, understanding and application of process safety management principles.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all four mandatory units.

Core Study Units

Unit 1: Process Safety Management Systems

By completing this unit, learner can:

• Implement a Process Safety Management System (PSM) framework.
• Measure PSM system performance using leading, lagging and near-miss metrics and perform compliance audits of process safety systems.
• Implement Management of Change (MOC) within a Process Safety Management System.
• Review regulatory and legal compliance of process safety systems and implement metrics that measure sustainability in process safety.

Unit 2: Risk Based Process Safety

By completing this unit, learner can:

• Apply HAZOP methods to process safety incidents.
• Quantify risk analysis measures in process safety industries.
• Evaluate operational considerations of process safety systems through Mechanical and Asset Integrity, Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams.
• Evaluate the operational readiness of process safety systems by analysing Safety Integrity Levels, Emergency Relief Systems, Pre-Startup Safety Review and hot work permits.

Unit 3: Process Safety Culture and Human Factors

By completing this unit, learner can:

• Evaluate process safety culture and human factor optimisation techniques.
• Implement strategies that assess worker mental health, including post-COVID considerations and the impact of digitalisation in process industries.
• Develop a stakeholder outreach and contractor management programme.
• Implement a competence development framework.

Unit 4: Development as a Strategic Manager

By completing this unit, learner can:

• Identify personal skills required to achieve strategic ambitions.
• Manage personal leadership development to support the achievement of strategic ambitions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of a leadership development plan.
• Advocate an employee welfare environment that supports organisational values.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The Qualifi Level 7 International Diploma in Process Safety Management is designed for professionals employed in, or aspiring to work in, process industries who are responsible for developing, implementing, managing or improving process safety within an organisation. The qualification is particularly relevant to experienced professionals seeking advanced knowledge of process safety management, risk-based safety, human factors and strategic leadership.

This qualification is suitable for:

• Process Safety Professionals seeking to strengthen advanced process safety management knowledge and professional practice.
• Process Safety Managers and Engineers involved in developing, implementing or reviewing process safety management systems.
• Health and Safety Professionals working with major-hazard environments, operational risk and safety management.
• Chemical, Mechanical and Instrumentation Engineers whose responsibilities include process safety, risk management or asset integrity.
• Engineering and Safety Managers progressing towards greater strategic responsibility within process industries.
• Risk Management Professionals involved in risk assessment, risk-based process safety and strategic risk control.
• Operations and Maintenance Professionals working in environments where process safety, asset integrity and operational readiness are critical.
• Professionals responsible for process safety culture and human factors, including competency development, leadership and workforce engagement.
• Experienced industry professionals seeking a UK-regulated RQF Level 7 qualification relevant to process safety management.
• Professionals planning further postgraduate study, as the qualification provides a foundation for progression to higher-level academic study.

The qualification is also appropriate for part-time working professionals and full-time learners, including those combining study with employment or relevant work placements. The Qualifi specification states that entry is normally through a centre interview and expects an engineering degree or relevant process-safety qualification together with relevant industry experience, although experienced individuals without formal qualifications may be considered in certain circumstances.

For UK and international learners, the qualification provides a structured Level 7 pathway focused specifically on process safety management, risk-based process safety, process safety culture, human factors and strategic management.

Career Opportunities

The Qualifi Level 7 International Diploma in Process Safety Management provides learners with advanced knowledge and practical understanding of process safety management within high-hazard and process industry environments. The qualification develops expertise in process safety management systems, risk-based process safety, process safety culture, human factors, and strategic management, helping learners strengthen their ability to analyse complex safety challenges and apply structured approaches to risk control. It is suitable for learners in the UK and internationally seeking to develop advanced process safety expertise, enhance their professional knowledge, or progress to higher-level academic and professional pathways in process safety, engineering, risk management, and related disciplines.

Future Progression

The Qualifi Level 7 International Diploma in Process Safety Management provides learners with advanced knowledge for further academic development and professional progression in process safety, risk management, engineering, and related disciplines. The qualification develops knowledge of process safety management systems, risk-based process safety, process safety culture, human factors, and strategic management, providing a structured understanding of safety management within process and high-hazard industrial environments.

Academically, learners may progress to postgraduate study or other advanced qualifications in areas such as process safety, occupational health and safety, engineering management, risk management, environmental management, and related disciplines, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution.

Professionally, this diploma can support progression towards roles such as Process Safety Engineer, Process Safety Manager, Process Safety Specialist, Process Safety Consultant, HSE Manager, Risk Management Specialist, Process Safety Advisor, Process Safety Auditor, Asset Integrity Manager, and Operations Safety Manager, depending on the learner’s existing experience, technical background, professional status, and employer requirements. The knowledge developed through the qualification provides a foundation for analysing process hazards, evaluating risk controls, implementing process safety management systems, addressing human factors, strengthening safety culture, and contributing to strategic process safety decisions.