Posted By Derrick Robinson Is an NVQ 4 equivalent to a degree? I did my NVQ 4 at the same time that my daughter was completing her A levels and starting a degree and on many levels it was clearly not equivalent. However it was demanding, it developed me considerably in my professional role and it was appropriate for me at that time. IOSH ultimately recognised its appropriateness by granting me membership. The reality is that this profession needs both people who follow an academic route and those who follow a more vocational path, IOSH recognise this by continuing to provide both routes into membership. Many people will continue to enter the profession without qualification as some employers will continue to value experienced people who can retrain over qualified people without industry experience from outside their organisations. Out of interest I am currently studying part time for an MSc. All of the people I have worked with are full time H and S professionals and they are all diploma qualified. I have not found so far that I am at any disadvantage when compared to them. Employers will have different needs and will judge peoples qualifications and experience accordingly. Similarly as professionals we should judge fellow professionals according to the appropriateness of their skill set to the job they are trying to do. With great respect to the original questioner I think you may have missed the point, don't worry about what is equivalent to what, select the qualifications and professional development that are appropriate to your job and where you want to go with your career and good luck. Derrick

Posted By ChrisinMalta I think there is often some confusion over the term, "level". A flock of birds is composed of many individual birds, but each bird does not constitute a flock! Regards, Chris

Posted By Steve Cartwright My my we have touched a nerve. Right as I explained in my first answer to the original question which was, is the NVQ Level 4 equivelant to a Degree? Answer no My answer is based on the following facts, which are. A Degree takes 3 years full time study at least, 6 years if you are studying part time, 43 assignments and at least 5 exams. When I studied NEBOSH Cert, Dip 1 & Dip 2 (all part time) it took just under 2.5 years, 10 assignments and 7 exams. Which was the same for most students. NVQ Level 4, one poster has already said it took them 13 months of part time study, 7 assignments, no exams. I also know of people who took far less time to complete the NVQ Level 4. If you think it is the equivelant you are entitled to your opinion. As for NVQ's being restrictive. Example A student works in the construction industry. All his evidence will be based on this industry. Where as those studying Degree or Diploma will study a broader range of subjects. You guys who opted for the NVQ route must be far cleverer than those who opted for Degree/Diploma route, as it takes you far less time to absorb the equivelant information and are not even required to do exams. I'm impressed. As for the system of NVQ. When completing my D32/33 Trainer/Assessor course, which took less than a day I might add. All I had to do was show someone how to do a particular task. Then I had to assess another person doing a task who had been trained by someone else, fill out a few forms and that was it. Job done. As for being a absolute know it all, your way off the mark. That is why I'm continueing with my studies and I continue to fill out my CPD. I wish I could say I learn something new every day, but I think I've got it down to about every other now.

Posted By MCK Or going through your apprenticeship - once you are a tradesman that is when you really learn your trade.

Posted By Steve Cartwright Sen Sar As I said in one of my earlier posts to this question. I'm not knocking the NVQ and I believe it can be very useful. However I do not believe it is the equivelant of a Degree which was the original question. As for the time it takes to do a degree, 3 years full time study, 6 years part time are you telling me that the NVQ will have the equivelant information in it. If you are then why do so many students go off to uni for 3 years run up debts in excess of £15000 when all they had to do was a NVQ in approximately a third of the time, no exams for a fraction of the price. Steve

Posted By Sen Sar I have a slight issue with the term "full time" exactly how many hours per week are spent on study ? As for students, ohhhhhhhh thats another debate!!! I do believe a NVQ 5 is equivelant. Onwards and upwards.

Posted By Carolyn Issitt Rommel I do hope you are not inferring by your posting that there is any difference between the CMIOSH status of a member who acheived CMIOSH via IPD Routes 1, 2 or indeed 3. The whole point of the IPD process is to ensure members who successfuly complete the programme are fully competent Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners however they achieve their Graduate status. There is only one designation CMIOSH not cmiosh. Carolyn Issitt Membership Development Manager IOSH

Posted By Rob T Just as a matter of interest - has anyone ever failed to get NVQ level 4 if they've completed all their required components?

Posted By A Campbell My own view is... people who go via degree route choos to attain academic qualifacation... Those who go down the NVQ route have to show evidence of how they personally have dealt with issues etc. Thus is also a practical and theory (to complete the section) they also must know how systems are defined/resolved?

Posted By IOSH Moderator This thread has now been locked as it is no longer addressing the original question which asked; "is the NVQ4 qualification equivalent to a degree and the Level 5 equivalent to a Masters Degree." This enquiry would appear to have been answered with a range of views, and is now not specifically taking into consideration the original question that was first posted. IOSH Moderator