Posted By Tarquin Farquor L, An MSc is a level 7 and the NEBOSH Diploma a level 6 as you have stated. In the framework a BSc also sits at level 6. I think the answer is that CMIOSH is a membership level in a Chartered Institution not a qualification, therefore it cannot be comparable to the NQF. Although I don't know 100%. Regards, TF

Posted By Hazel Harvey L, You have been given some accurate information by the posters in what is a very complex subject. However,The NQF does not cover qualifications awarded by the higher education sector so it is not strictly accurate to say that a PGDiploma is at level 7.Qualifications awarded by the HE sector are made by the individual university at which the qualification was studied. These qualifications are known on the QAA framework as M level. An agreement by European countries about the level of these awards called the Bologna Accord sets these as a common framework for universities. So in fact the NQF is mirroring this structure rather than vice versus. Just to add to the confusion there is also a framework of national occupational standards (NOS) with a 1-5 scale. The OHS Practice standards on which the NEBOSH Diploma and the NVQ are based use the level 4 standards from this framework. In the interests of a level playing field approach IOSH adapted the national standards to outline learning objectives for the HE sector. So all the qaulifications accepted by IOSH as meeting the academic requirements for Graduate Membership are based on the same standards. Chartered Membership of IOSH is not a qualification it is professional recognition of a person's ability to practice. The assessment of CMIOSH covers the elements of competence - knowledge skills and experience is therefore more than just a qualification itself. The Royal Charter held by IOSH allows the Institution to make these judgements. Hazel Harvey Director of Professional Affairs