Course contact details
Postgraduate Admissions
Email:pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk
Phone:01224 272090
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of Global Engagement, Marketing and Recruitment
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
Human Factors and Safety (Taught)
- PgCert
- 8 Months
- Online study
- January 2026
- Postgraduate
- Distance learning
Course summary
Access flexible online human factors training. Study with psychologists and industry experts, and earn human factors qualifications. 10% discount for NHS staff. Join this flexible online postgraduate certificate (PgCert) and develop your qualifications in human factors and safety.
You’ll learn to make valuable contributions to improving safety, efficiency, and human performance in sectors including aviation, energy, manufacturing, and healthcare. With the support of human factors experts from academia and industry, you’ll explore human factors principles and how to apply them in a range of work environments.
You’ll develop specialist expertise in:
-
human factors in industrial practice
-
safety critical skills in industry
-
organisational culture and conflict, and
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organisational safety and risk.
Who is this online human factors training for?
This distance-learning PgCert is ideal for professionals who want to move into a career in human factors, or who work in human factors already and want to develop and formalise their expertise.
Modules
This PgCert is delivered by our School of Psychology. You’ll learn from practising psychologists who have extensive research and university teaching experience. You’ll also learn from your fellow students. You’ll be studying online alongside individuals from a range of backgrounds who may be based all over the world.
Assessment method
This PgCert is assessed online. We use several types of assessment throughout the programme, including multiple-choice tests and your contribution to discussion boards.
How to apply
International applicants
This programme is delivered flexibly, 100% online. You can learn with us anywhere, with no need for a study visa.
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Entry requirements
A 2:2 UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent), or relevant experience that supports this level of study.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations.
We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology.
Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in January 2026. The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.
Our tuition fees will rise by 3% for the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years. Our indicative cost includes a 3% fee rise each year.
Sponsorship information
The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
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