Posted By Andy Wignall Can someone tell me if the NEBOSH Diploma is equivalent to a BSC in occupational health and safety? And is it not to much hard work to study the NEBOSH diploma in a year? ( i am near completion of my NEBOSH certificate and I'm not finding it relatively hard) Thanks

Posted By Rob Campbell Whilst the above post is correct, it's a bit of a unique situation. The Diploma is a Post Graduate qualification, thus in theory superceeds a degree (whilst i appreciate this may not be the view of many potential employers). This is reinforced by the fact you can complete a dissertation at the end of the PG Dip and get a Masters (MSc) which in no doubt is a higher qualification than a BSc. So in effect it's a higher qualification but (often) uses experience as a prerequisite instead of a Degree.

Posted By Rob Campbell did you stipulate it was a post graduate diploma and not an RSA (or other under grad) diploma? The way it works academically is on a credit basis x course = x credits.. with the requirement for the course above being set at x credits. I'll find out the credit values for all the courses mentioned and hopefully this will quantify it and make it a bit clearer.

Posted By Rob Campbell There is confusion here.. The NEBOSH Diploma IS a Post Graduate qualification. For confirmation check any university offering this course. Also the continuation (via dissertation) to a Masters wouldn't be available to an undergraduate diploma. as you correctly state these are usually a precurser to a Ordinary/Honours degree programme. They are often confused, mainly because a lot of people with the NEBOSH Diploma don't have a BSc in Health & Safety. This is exactly why i specify it's a Post Grad Diploma everytime i mention the Diploma.

Posted By anon1234 Rob, I'm struggling to find any university quoting the NEBOSH diploma as being a post graduate diploma - in fact all the ones I've looked at so far either count it as an entry qualification to their undergraduate courses (i.e. BSc, MSc) or include it as part of their undergraduate course - I've being following the links from the NEBOSH website. Can anyone identify a University claimming the NEBOSH diploma is a postgarduate qualification? NOTE: a postgraduate qualification is one that is done after having achieved a degree.

Posted By Rob Campbell Also for the record you don't need to have a degree to do a post graduate qualification just equivalent experience (much like any other qualification there is never one route of entry). Though a Bachelor's degree is by far the most common path.

Posted By anon1234 Rob, Agreed the Salford diploma is a postgraduate diploma but it is not the NEBOSH diploma - good to see you are man enough to admit a genuine error on your part. Also, you are quite right in pointing out that you don't have to have a degree to undertake a postgraduate diploma - me over simplifying it.

Posted By jason preston The best option from here is MSc at Loughborough uni where you only have to do a project and dissertation to complete an MSc. Does suggest really that the NEBOSH Diploma is a post graduate diploma.

Posted By Gina Browse Hi, So, essentially a Project and Dissertation would effectively 'upgrade' me to an MSc? Presumably this can be done by distance learning. Thanks Gina

Posted By jason preston Gina, Yes you are correct in what you say. Jay, All that information was given to vetassess but they are not interested. However a degree in mandarin would be good enough to get you the 50 point health and safety officer post. What a joke eh!

Posted By Jay Joshi I am not simply saying it out of the blue based on my personal perception. There is what is referred to as a "National Qualification Framework" and that is what is in my contribution. In 2004,the process of revising the NQF was started so that it could recognise qualifications more precisely. To achieve this, the number of levels were increased in the NQF from five to nine. The current levels 4 to 8 (previously levels 4 and 5) broadly compare to the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ), which covers qualifications provided by universities and other higher education institutions. It is only since 2006 onwards when the new NQF with nine levels was launched that gave a clearer mapping with FHEQ The term used is "broadly covers" and we have to recognise that National Qualifications Framework (NQF)and Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)are have diffrent scope, but there is an equivalence. At no time did I state that they are one and the same. In fact it is a pity that not more people are aware of National Qualifications Framework (NQF)and Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)and its broad equivalence. It is entirely a different matter regarding the performance/competence of individuals with either of the qualifications. This can be down to background/expereince and also the quality of teaching etc.

Posted By Duncan Webb Andy, Hi I also contemplated obtaining the nebosh diploma initially but decided to opt for the BSc(Hons)in Safety, Health and Environmental Management instead (the degree is of a higher standing than the diploma) Speaking from experience I have throughly enjoyed my time at Leeds Uni with the lecturers and module leaders being extreamly knowledgeable and supportive. Of course it is your choice but I would deffinatly reccommend the BSc option. Regards Duncan

Posted By Rob Campbell I don't think anyone could over estimate the value of experience in the job, that is certainly the most important factor. However, talking specifically about the qualifications it is up to the person taking the Diploma if they want to treat it as an Under Graduate qualification (using it to access a Degree) or as a Post Graduate qualification (using it to access a Masters). To say that few universities accept it as Post Grad simply isn't true as has been pointed out the level of the qualification is Post Graduate as a standard that ALL universities will use. I think the massive factor between Diploma or BSC should be the experience one. I chose the Diploma because i'm already working full time in H&S and i wouldn't want to give that up to persue a purely eductional (and thus theoretical) qualification, With the Dip i can carry on working and back up my experience with a recognised qualification. I personally think that a Degree could be a better option for students currently in education wishing to continue this without on the job experience in H&S, where as the Diploma (Again only in my opinion) is much more a support to experience all ready gained. The other consideration would be continuation after the Degree, this would inevitbly lead to the Diploma/Masters route.. all be it with the extra 3 years theoretical work behind it.. but still the same qualification. I'd rather have the extra 3yrs working experience + Diploma + Masters than Degree + Diploma + Masters. This was the approach i took whilst deciding which to study. I realise that my situation may not fit all.. but the point of all these qualifications having multiple entry points is so different people can chose different paths.

Posted By martin oldroyd Hi Jason If it helps you feel less offended i have 27 years experience with 21 of it in hazardous industries - i still feel that graduate courses mean more to employers than NEBOSH diploma's and that chartered status should become the acceptable level of acceptance. This would be with a caveat that 10 years proven experience would also be acceptable. As head of health and safety for an large organisation i know from experience that board members many whom have MBA's seem to find it hard to accept a professional who does not have the same level of academic attainment as them, regardless of "experience" - i do not agree with that myself but it is a fact. As soon as we recognise that and move to more academia based qualifications the better standing our organisation will be taken. That said i do not wish to say the NEBOSH diploma is less effective than degrees but it does seem to me to be learning buy numbers rather than exploration of fact Ronny

Posted By Jay Joshi It seems that several contributors have not properly read the broad NQF equivalence I had referred to, i.e. "level 6 (current system) diplomas are broadly equivalent to Bachelor degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas" It DOES NOT state that an NQF level 6 qualification is equivalent to a University Post-gradute qualification. Masters degrees, post-graduate certificates and diplomas are broadly equvivalent to a Level 7 NQF qualification (NEBOSH & British Safety Council Diplomas are at Level 6) Regarding references competences of candidates with first degrees and those without, it depends upon individuals.

Posted By Alison Roberts Hi, I read about half way down... Just thought I would add... All the qualifications are obviously going to be different, but in my experience of a recruiter specialising in H&S recruitment: The main thing that matters when employers are looking to recruit is the level at which you can join IOSH... therefore the following are all seen as the same level in a recruiters eyes: H&S Degree NEBOSH Diploma (either the new level 6 or the old part 1 & 2) NVQ Level 4 British Safety Council Diploma (The new one) Nottingham Trent Diploma Post Graduate Diploma Might be some more but those are the main ones, and they should all give you Grad IOSH. A lot of people like to think they are better if the have the Diploma or if they have the Degree but at the end of the day, most employers will recognise them both as one and the same. So if we have two candidates, one with the NEBOSH Diploma and one with the Degree, it will always come down to experience at the end of the day as the qualifications are equal in this market. On the other hand, referring to someone elses post about travelling to Oz - the degree will be more recognised because Degree's are pretty much the only qualifications to be recognised worldwide as the same level - for example people who come here who have NOSA qualifications have to do NEBOSH qualifications before they will qualify even though they are effectively the same, but if they have a degree then that is normally instantly recognised by IOSH. Sorry this is a bit of a long winded post, but I speak to hundreds of safety professionals everyday - and there are so many different views on each qualifications out there! Just thought I would share my opinion... Thanks for reading ! Ali