I had a similar quandry just over a year or so ago. I'd done by NEBOSH cert and wanted to move on. I had a choice of NEBOSH Dip / NVQ4 / PG Dip type courses. Seems I looked at and researched the same orgainsiations that you did, and without a shadow of doubt I would have gone for Lougborough, it came out way on top - the course structure gave a great blend of distance learning and taught courses, but for me personally it would have a big impact on the number of days I have to spend in the UK, so it ended up being ruled out. Personally I detest NEBOSH with a passion, I wouldn't even have bothered with the cert except that employers mistakenly seem to accept it as a standard, and I suppose it is a starting block but I'm really not fond of "NEBOSH speak" and my two week cert course put me off completely, we spent more time learning buzz words and how to write or layout the answers to the questions rather than gaining true quality knowlege behind the question. In short it was crap - academically, I therefore righly or wrongly thought the Dip would be even worse, so discarded it without further thought.... (and I'm not bitter I came out with a distinction so managed it ok) A year later I have just finished NVQ4 (My Grad IOSH is pending)- which I thoroughly enjoyed and have been able to relate every single piece of 144 pieces of evidence to my everyday job. Moving forward I'm now just going through the pre entry material (PG Cert Level) for the PG Dip with Strathclyde - again the quality is very good and you have freedom to express your knowlege how you see it rather than buzz words and layout. In summary, take the PG Dip / Msc route from an well thought of university, Loughborough would be perfect you'll probably end up in a similar place I grant you but the quality and the way you achieve it will be far more satisfying. Disclaimer - I don't know your personal situation, in mine it makes no real difference whether I have the NEBOSH Dip or NVQ I understand for some people it does, you may be one of those, all opinions are personal but I think going NEBOSH Cert - NVQ 4 - Grad IOSH - PG Dip I'm much more rounded and knowlegeable individual than I would have been had I just plumped for NEBOSH Dip, at Academic Dip level you are encouraged to reasearch and form opinon, not just answer parrot fashion. I can't say if this true for the NEBOSH Dip because I never did it, the cert was more than enough pain.... Hope this helps, Rgs Ian

Hi Ian, same as garfield, I agree totally NEBOSH seems to be a machine churning out certain pre-set answers. Uni courses offer a chance for using your imagination, helping you learn in a relaxed way, Strathclyde Uni is another good example.

I agree with the earlier answers on this topic. A postgrad course is a completely different kettle of fish to a 'learning by rote' course and aims to teach you how to apply the knowledge, not just to memorise it. You won't go wrong with the Loughborough course. The Portsmouth one is also very good- the first year gives you a PgC which gives 'fast track' GradIOSH membership and you can then complete the PgD and MSc in subsequent years. The postgrad courses are interesting because you have to apply the knowledge and make structured arguments in essays etc. I understand there is some of that in NEBOSH diplomas but not to the same level. A postgrad qualification will also generally include some elements of wider management skills as well as the H&S content. Good luck.