NEBOSH

Overview

NEBOSH is a UK awarding body for health, safety and environmental qualifications. It is not a single exam. It offers a ladder of qualifications: Awards, Certificates, Diplomas and Masters-level study run with the University of Hull. Learners sit assessments in more than 130 countries.

This page covers the main health and safety route: the Health and Safety at Work Award, the National and International General Certificates, and the Level 6 International Diploma. NEBOSH also offers sector and topic certificates (construction, fire safety, process safety, environmental management and others), which are not detailed here.

Nobody can self-study for a NEBOSH qualification. Every learner must register with an accredited NEBOSH Learning Partner and complete the learning before taking an assessment.

Who can apply

None of the qualifications below has formal entry requirements. NEBOSH does recommend a minimum English level, because assessments must be understood and answered in that language (the International General Certificate is offered in several languages).

• Health and Safety at Work Award: IELTS 5.0 or higher recommended. Suited to team leaders, supervisors, HR staff and facilities managers.

• General Certificates (National and International): IELTS 6.0 or higher recommended. Aimed at managers, supervisors and people starting a health and safety career.

• Level 6 International Diploma: IELTS 7.0 or higher recommended, and the General Certificate is strongly recommended as prior learning.

Levels or stages

Health and Safety at Work Award

An introductory qualification covering everyday workplace hazards, risk assessment, inspections and incident investigation. It needs at least 18 taught hours, 2 hours of self-study and about 3 hours for the assessment. It is available in English and Arabic.

National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

Built around UK law and practice. The syllabus was updated for 2026: teaching of the revised syllabus began on 2 February 2026 and the first assessments ran from 4 March 2026. Assessment has two steps.

Expect at least 66 taught hours plus about 40 hours of private study. Fast-track learners can finish in 10 working days.

International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

The same structure as the National version, but built around international standards rather than UK law. It was also updated for 2026 with the same start dates. It can be studied in English, Arabic, Russian, Turkish, European Portuguese, European Spanish and French.

Expect at least 63 taught hours plus about 40 hours of private study. Fast-track learners can finish in 10 working days.

Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals

A professional qualification for people who want a career in health and safety. It replaces the older International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. It needs at least 185 taught hours, 144 hours of recommended self-study and 80 assessment hours.

All Diploma assessments are checked with plagiarism software, and each is followed by a closing interview.

Syllabus

The General Certificates teach how to manage health and safety, identify and control common workplace hazards, and measure whether controls work. The National version stresses the UK legal requirements; the International version stresses international standards. Risk assessment is central to both.

The Diploma covers the legislation likely to apply (including ILO and non-government guidance and enforcement), advising on common workplace health and safety issues, developing a health and safety policy strategy, contributing to risk management, building a positive safety culture, auditing management systems, maintaining competence and managing contractors and supply chains.

Important dates

General Certificate unit 1 (GNC1 and GIC1) is a digital paper with fixed sitting dates. Learners have 24 hours to complete and submit it, starting at 11am UK time on the sitting date. As listed on the official National General Certificate page in 2026, the remaining 2026 GNC1 sittings are 7 October (English only), 4 November (English only) and 2 December (all available languages), with results due on 8 January 2027, 5 February 2027 and 5 March 2027 respectively. The International General Certificate page has its own table of GIC1 dates, and the practical unit dates are arranged through your Learning Partner.

Diploma assessment sittings are fixed. For 2026, the sittings listed on the official page from July onward are:

Release and deadline times are 12 noon UK time. Diploma results are sent 50 working days after the submission date, and the combined marks across DI1 to DI3 give a Distinction, Credit or Pass overall. Learners get five years from enrolment (or from the declaration date of their first passed unit, if later) to complete all Diploma units, in any order.

Fees

NEBOSH does not publish one fee. Each Learning Partner sets its own fees, which vary with the mode of study, the support given and whether exam registration is included. Compare several Learning Partners before choosing.

How to apply

1. Choose an accredited Learning Partner through the Where to Study section of the NEBOSH site. Check that it offers your qualification, language and study mode.

2. Enrol with that partner and complete the learning.

3. The Learning Partner registers you for the assessments. For the Diploma, you must be enrolled before registration for an assessment.

After the exam

The International General Certificate gives entitlement to IIRSM associate membership and IOSH affiliate membership, and meets the academic requirements for IOSH technical membership with suitable experience. For IOSH, assessments must be taken in the UK to count towards IOSH membership, unless the learner registered with NEBOSH before 31 August 2022.

The International Diploma is accredited at RQF Level 6 with 42 credits and meets the academic requirements for IOSH membership at the appropriate grade. It is also recognised by bodies such as the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

Preparation tips

• Use the course book NEBOSH publishes for your qualification; many Learning Partners supply it.

• For GNC2 and GIC2, practise carrying out a full risk assessment and writing a clear action plan.

• Be ready to explain your open book answers, since a closing interview follows the submission.

• For the Diploma, plan time around the assessment windows: DI1 alone is expected to take about 40 hours.

FAQs