Which route to CMIOSH?

NEBOSH National Diploma or ProQual NVQ Level 6

Are you looking to achieve CMIOSH status and further your safety career? This table compares the two main routes – the NEBOSH National Diploma, and the ProQual NVQ Level 6 Diploma. Outlining the pros and cons of each, it’s the ideal safety training guide to help you plan your next step.

If you’re currently working in a safety role, possibly (though not necessarily), with the NEBOSH General Certificate already under your belt, then you may well be considering what safety training is now right for you. Weighing up the NEBOSH National Diploma, and the NVQ Level 6, we hope that this table helps you to decide which route to CMIOSH status is best for you. If however you’re still unsure, a member of our training team will be happy to help so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

	NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health	ProQual NVQ Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice
Aimed at	Safety Supervisors, Safety Officers and Safety Managers	Safety Supervisors, Safety Officers and Safety Managers
Study mode	Primarily classroom based, with additional home study expected. Unit A taught over three weeks (10 days)Unit B taught over two weeks (10 days)Unit C taught over two weeks (10 days) Combined total of 30 days classroom study.	A vocational qualification, therefore work based. The pace depends on the candidate.
Assessment	Units A, B and C are each assessed by a three hour written exam. Unit D is an 8,000 word review of the health and safety performance of an organisation.	A portfolio of evidence is submitted using RoSPA’s online system. This portfolio is assessed against the required competencies, all of which must be demonstrated.
Duration	The four units can be taken in any order over a five year period.	A flexible study option: complete within 24 months
Price	Classroom: £5999.00 + VAT Online: £1800.00 + VAT	£1795.00 + VAT
Pros	An academic, degree level qualification. Highly regarded and sought after by employers. Gives an understanding of a broad range of issues, therefore provides a transferable knowledge base that is applicable across industry sectors and job roles. Can be taken at a pace to suit the candidate, up to maximum of 5 years.	Work based, therefore easier to combine with daily tasks. There are no exams so candidates who know that they do not perform well under pressure may find this advantageous. Flexible pace, ranging from 4 months to 2 years.
Cons	Employers must be convinced of the business benefits as the time away from work and cost of the course represents a considerable investment. The rigorous nature of the course requires a high degree of commitment from the candidate.	Rewards competencies within the current work situation, therefore only really suitable for Safety Supervisors, Managers etc. who are currently in the right role and arguably less transferable to future roles and organisations.
End result	GradIOSH status (Graduate Membership of the Institution of Safety and Health); meaning holders meet the academic requirements of Chartered status (CMIOSH) but are undergoing professional development.	GradIOSH status (Graduate Membership of the Institution of Safety and Health); meaning holders meet the academic requirements of Chartered status (CMIOSH) but are undergoing professional development.
Next step	In order to achieve CMIOSH status holders of the NEBOSH Diploma must submit a mini-portfolio of evidence from their current job role.	To achieve CMIOSH status NVQ Level 6 holders must take an open book exam over a period of two weeks.
	Find out more	Find out more