All occupational health and safety practitioners (OHASPs) need to have a common core of knowledge in order to practise effectively. The NEBOSH National Diploma aims to provide the knowledge and understanding that underpins competent performance as an OHASP. Holders of the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety may use the designatory letters “DipNEBOSH” after their name.
The NEBOSH National Diploma is the qualification for aspiring health and safety professionals, building directly upon the foundation of knowledge provided by the NEBOSH National General Certificate. It is designed to provide students with the expertise required to undertake a career as a safety and health practitioner and also provides a sound basis for progression to postgraduate study.
The qualification meets the academic requirements to apply for Graduate Membership (Grad IOSH) of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). This is the first step to becoming a Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner as a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH). It also accepted by the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) as meeting the academic requirements for full membership (MIIRSM).
Holders of the NEBOSH National Diploma and the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety meet the headline entrance criteria requirements for Registered Construction Safety Practitioner (RMaPS) membership of the Association for Project Safety (APS). They are also eligible to apply for the CSCS Academically Qualified Person (AQP) yellow/white card whilst they gain vocational qualifications or membership of a recognised professional body. This card is valid for five years and is currently non-renewable. All applicants must still pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test.
Course Content
Core Units
Unit A Managing Health and Safety
Unit B Hazardous Agents in the Workplace
Unit C Workplace and Work Equipment
Assessment Units
Unit D Workplace Assessment Report
Units A, B and C are each assessed by one three-hour written examination. All the questions are compulsory. Unit D is assessed by a written assignment of approximately 8,000 words, designed to test knowledge across the syllabus by assessing application of health and safety theory and practice (Unit D). Students may choose to take individual units in any order over a five year period and will be awarded a unit certificate for each unit passed.
Course Programme
Block Release (part time) course - 2 x 1 week blocks, plus 2 days exam & revision per core unit. Total course is 6 x 1 week blocks, plus 6 days exam & revision.
The Block Release (part time) course duration can vary from 12 months to 60 months, depending on when you choose to study each core unit. The average course duration is 18 months.