Although I have a health and safety role at the present moment I feel that I am not going to progress as I only have the Nebosh General Certificate.Although i have about 6 years experience I feel what most employer look at if some one has a diploma relevant of there experience.Could anyone advise me the best distant learing course as I feel I can't more forward without the diploma.

Hi David As i am funding this myself as my employer won't sponser me.I don't see the point of forking out the same money for the NVQ then the same for the diploma.I would rather do the diploma than paying twice to get the same result.As I found out most employers are looking for the diploma.Thanks for the feed back most appreciated. Derek

Hi Clive I have research a few I know Shields are the cheapest but the trouble is sitting my exams in Scotland.RRC is one of the dearest on paper but they include my exam at Glasgow Caledonian Unversity. Derek

Derek, Look at the options and chose what is best for you whether academic of vocational - it’s about you and your learning style. Both options have advantages and disadvantages with these two most popular recognised routes to CMIOSH. If I had my time again I personally would not chose either of the two above - I would look to undertaking an Msc in either safety or risk management - most university's offer pathways so you would commence with a Post Grad Cert - moving onto a Post Grad Dip and then submitting a dissertation for the full award. On being awarded the PGC - this satisfies the IOSH criteria for graduate status. The logic being - the PCG takes approximately 9 months to complete, so you would most likely gain graduate status much quicker and end up with a much higher qualification in the long run…………………….. Each module is about 2.5 to 3 k.

Update of PGC, looked at it this year to start in September 2012 and distance learn from Portsmouth, price likely to be in the high 7 or 8K region in line with new tuition fees as per this government's changes. NVQ 5 maybe 2K and done with evidence of your competence in your own workplace. NVQ 5 is set at level 7 diploma, equivalent level to PGC, PGD and Masters so actually not a lower qualification as intimated in previous posts. When it comes to attaining chartered status you will need to pass the open assessment exam, interview and CPD. If you go the diploma route, Level 6 qualification, for Chartered membership you will need to do a skills portfolio, essentially a mini NVQ, interview and CPD. so pays your money and takes your chances.

I'm fairly certain the NVQ level 5 is at Level 7, check out the link: http://www.direct.gov.uk...onsExplained/DG_10039017 That said, these things change fairly frequently and I could easily be wrong!

I have just completed a post graduate level 6 Diploma with the British Safety Council. This was done using the distance learning facility. I found the course to be most rewarding and informative. (the course notes and content were remarkably similar to NEBOSH Diploma). This will afford me GradIOSH status. As i funded this myself, there was significant saving between the costs of the two. It took me about 18 months to complete and comprises of: Unit 1 - Practical health and safety mangement (3 hour exam) Unit 2 - Safeguarding people's health in the workplace (2 hour exam and 5000 word assignment) Unit 3 - Health and safety culture and business (10,000 word assignment on implementing culture change). The cost to me when i set out on the course was around £2.5k (costs may have risen) if you want any further information, feel free to get in touch.

Finding the quore of £7 - 8K a little on the high side as well, this kind of figure I would put for almost the entire course costs to attain the MSc itself. For my own benefit have looked into several options to achieve the MSc (Safety & Risk Management) via various universities up here in Scotland For Academic Year 2012/2013 Robert Gordon in Aberdeen - •£3,284 Stage 1 (Post Grad Cert) •£3,284 Stage 2 (Post Grad Dip) •£2,192 MSc dissertation stage http://www.rgu.ac.uk/bus...aftey-and-risk-managment Heriot Watt, Edinburgh 8x Courses plus dissertation - £900 per item = £8100 total) http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/course/244/ Strathclyde University, Glasgow •£3,000 Stage 1 (Post Grad Cert) •£3,000 Stage 2 (Post Grad Dip) •£2,600 MSc dissertation stage http://www.strath.ac.uk/srm/ As for the post grad cert giving instant access to Grad IOSH, this is NOT the case, out of the above ONLY the Strathclyde Uni version is approved by IOSH at Grad IOSH status - would suggest contacting IOSH Membership for further details. All the above are via distance learning options. Hope this helps Alex

All very new to Iosh and in a very similar position to Derek B. Just thought I'd pipe up to say that all your posts have been helpful to me and my career progression path. Thanks