As far as I understand it NVQ5 is a postgraduate equivalent qualification. NVQ4 & L6 are roughly equivalent in breadth to a bachelor degree, though a degree is typically much broader hence takes three years of full time study. I have heard NVQ equated to a masters.

Whether I would take it would depend on what I wanted; I would expect NVQ5 to be much more concerned with strategic aspects of H&S, planning, project management and so on, though I am only guessing here,

John

The current level 4 NVQ is being renamed the Level 5 NVQ Diploma at the end of this year. This is part of the development of the new 8 level Qualifications and Credit Framework being introduced in England,Wales and N.Ireland.
The current NEBOSH Diploma at level 6 has been on a similarly levelled framework for vocational qualifications for some time. However, NEBOSH will be moving to the Scottish Framework at the same time and will become level 8or 9 (SQA is 12 levels).
This clearly adds a little more confusion to the education market again!
It does however, indicate that the current NVQ level 4, at level 5 is only being recognised at a level slightly below the degree level that is recognised by level 6.This indicates that the NVQ is not at as higher level as the NEBOSH Diploma (or the university degrees in OSH).
However, for the time-being the NVQ will still be recognised as meeting the IOSH academic level for Graduate Membership.

Hazel Harvey
Professional Affairs Director

We are actually talking about two different things here. The current level 5 (which is at a similar level to a Post-graduate qualification) is likely to be withdrawn as part of the revision of the framework. It is meant to be a strategic level management qualification and is accepted as a cognate qualification for IOSH Graduate membership (It is mainly management not the technical part of safety covered in the level 4).

The new level 5 will be the old level 4. If the current level 5 were to continue it could well be at level 8 on the new framework.

This levelling has always been a confusing area and unfortunately it is currently getting more so.
Any queries relating to qualifications can be addressed by IOSH Membership department.

Hazel Harvey
Professional Affairs Director.

DP,
The change won't occur until the end of the year. There is normally a three year completion period when these sort of changes are made so if you are thinking about doing the current level 5 you should enquire about this when you enrol.
There has been very little take up of the qualification, which is why it isn't being replaced.

Hazel Harvey
Professional Affairs Director.

So how will the change affect those members who have obtained Grad. status via NVQ4 route? Will they still be accepted as Grad members?