NEBOSH, NVQ, or NCRQ?

NEBOSH have operated for over 30 years, and used to be the only option for those wishing to gain a qualification in health and safety. NEBOSH qualifications are assessed largely by formal examinations, with a final project report. NEBOSH have a general certificate at Level 3 - which is equivalent to A-level standard, and a general diploma at Level 6 - which is equivalent to degree level standard.

NVQ - National Vocational Qualifications - are available at two levels, broadly equivalent to NEBOSH and NCRQ. An NVQ is simply an assessment of existing knowledge and skills, and does not necessarily involve any learning. These are suitable if you are already working in a safety-related role with some degree of autonomy, and simply require formal recognition of your existing knowledge and skills. Assessment is undertaken by the creation of a detailed portfolio of evidence that you will have generated in your current employment. Because of the lack of exams or assignments, they are also most suitable for those with lots of discipline, and who are able to generate a quantity of written reports

NCRQ qualifications include the same knowledge outcomes as NEBOSH, however recognising that knowledge alone does not make a competent safety professional. NCRQ also teach and assess softer skills, such as confidently making and justifying decisions, and managing organisational and cultural change. Students are taught how to teach and problem-solve themselves, encouraging independence, rather than being given a textbook and powerpoint slides to digest and memorise. Assessment is by a series of assignments - more reflective of real life than exams - and the focus is often on the application of knowledge and analysis that has been undertaken, rather than the actual final conclusions by the student. NCRQ qualifications are most suitable for those who prefer realistic assignments than exams or academic-style essays, those who also want to learn skills in addition to knowledge, and those who prefer learning by doing rather than memorisation of lists of facts. There is no need to be working in a safety-related environment, in contrast to NVQs. Unlike NEBOSH, both the certificate and diploma level qualifications are at Level 6 - so that the basic principles learned in the certificate count as one-third of the full diploma. For those unsure about embarking on a Level 6 qualification from the outset, a sample of the workbook is available below for you to get an idea if the academic challenges are suitable for you. The NCRQ Diploma is now the most popular Diploma-level health and safety qualification in the UK.