NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
The most popular health and safety qualification in the UK – essential for anyone wanting a successful career in health and safety. Gain a NEBOSH General Certificate today with our new Live Online delivery.
A National General Certificate (NGC) is specified in most health and safety job adverts, which means that people who hold the NGC have far better job prospects.
The British Safety Council is one of NEBOSH’s Gold Learning Partners. This means we “greatly exceed” six key learning excellence principles.
Our pass rates are significantly higher than the national average and we produced the top candidate nationally in 2017/18.
Live Online Learning
Get all the benefits of structured classroom learning but with the convenience of the digital world, studying where you like.
Students join remotely using a PC, laptop or tablet and download the relevant software in advance to enable access to the tutor run class. Throughout the course, students can see and interact with the tutor and with each other. See course dates.
Why choose the British Safety Council
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We are one of the world’s leading health and safety organisations
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Our tutors are experts in health and safety and are excellent teachers
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No 'death by PowerPoint' – learning is student-centred and interactive
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Study skills and examination techniques are embedded throughout
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Pass rates are consistently above the national average
What's in it for me?
The NEBOSH National General Certificate is valued by employers.
Holders of the NGC can apply for technical membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (Tech IOSH). Many students then progress to the NEBOSH National Diploma (Grad IOSH) and from there to chartered status (CMIOSH).
If you have any questions about our occupational health and safety training courses, please visit our FAQs page.
Information for students
Qualification Structure
The qualification comprises two units:
Unit NG1: Management of health and safety
Why we should manage workplace health and safety
How health and safety management systems work and what they look like
Managing risk – understanding people and processes
Health and safety monitoring and measuring
Unit NG2: Risk assessment
Physical and psychological health
Musculoskeletal health
Chemical and biological agents
General workplace issues
Work equipment
Fire
Electricity
Assessment
NG1: Open book examination (approximately 4 hours within a 24-hour window)
NG2: Workplace-based risk assessment task
Qualification Level
The NEBOSH National General Certificate is accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) at Level 6 in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). For users in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this is comparable to a vocationally-related qualification (VRQ) at Level 3 in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). A Level 3 VRQ is comparable (in academic terms) to an A-Level.
Professional Recognition
The NEBOSH National General Certificate meets the academic requirements for:
- Technical membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (Tech IOSH).
- Associate membership of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (AIIRSM).
Language Requirements
Assessments are available in English only.
Your standard of English must be such that you can both understand and articulate the concepts contained in the syllabus.
NEBOSH recommends that non-native speakers undertaking this qualification should have a minimum standard of English equivalent to an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher in IELTS tests. For further information please consult the IELTS website: www.ielts.org
Enrolment Period
When you start the course, we enrol you as a student with NEBOSH. Your initial enrolment period lasts for 5 years. This means that you must pass your first unit within 5 years. If you fail to pass your first unit within 5 years, you will need to re-enrol and pay another registration fee.
When you pass your first unit, your enrolment period is automatically re-set and you have a further 5 years to pass the remaining unit. In other words, your first unit has a shelf-life of 5 years. If you do not pass the remaining unit within 5 years, your first unit will expire and you will have to retake this unit in order to pass the qualification.
Learning Agreement
When you join the course, we ask you to enter into the following agreement with us:
The British Safety Council will:
- Use suitably qualified and experienced tutors to deliver the tuition
- Cover all the specification learning outcomes
- Provide or direct you to the information you need to pass the qualification
- Provide you with expert advice on revision and examination technique
- Respond in a timely manner to any queries
- Be diligent and courteous at all times.
You must:
- Attend all scheduled sessions
- Contribute to group discussions in a positive manner
- Endeavour to be active, rather than passive in terms of learning
- Complete the required number of revision hours
- Pay particular attention to advice regarding revision and examination technique
- Bring any learning difficulties to our attention at the earliest opportunity.
NEBOSH Learner Terms and Conditions
The NEBOSH Learner Terms and Conditions can be found here.
Qualification Specification
The qualification specification (syllabus) can be found here.
Learning Resources
Classroom and live online learners will receive a hard copy handbook for each unit at the start of the course. If you are studying live online, these will be posted to your home address. E-Learners will receive a digital copy.
You will be given access to an online portal containing the following PDF documents:
British Safety Council resources:
- Textbook
- Unit handbooks
- Open book examination guidance
- Revision tutorials.
NEBOSH resources:
- Guide to the NEBOSH National General Certificate (‘Syllabus Guide’)
- Open book examination learner guide
- Open book examination technical learner guide
- NG2 assessment template
- NEBOSH Learner Terms and Conditions.
Tutor Support
Your tutor will provide support in relation to subject content and assessment preparation. They can be contacted by telephone, video call or email at any time.
Results and Certificates
Results are issued 10 weeks after the assessment date.
Each unit is reported as ‘Pass’ or ‘Refer’. You must pass both units to achieve the qualification.
Qualification grades are awarded as follows:
Pass 45 – 64% in NG1 and Pass in NG2
Credit 65 – 74% in NG1 and Pass in NG2
Distinction 75% + in NG1 and Pass in NG2
Unit and qualification certificates are despatched by NEBOSH within 20 working days of the result notification date.
Queries and Complaints
Should you have any queries, please contact our Education Team ([email protected])
If you are not satisfied with the service provided by your tutor or our Education Team, please contact our Customer Service Team ([email protected]).
You can also refer the matter to NEBOSH ([email protected]).
If you are not satisfied with the service provided by NEBOSH, please contact the Scottish Qualifications Authority ([email protected]).
"The British Safety Council is miles ahead in all areas: tutor, materials and examination technique."
Frequently asked questions
What level is the NEBOSH National General Certificate?
NEBOSH National General Certificate is a Level 3 qualification, equivalent in academic terms to an A Level.
What is the difference between the ‘NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety’ and the ‘NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety’?
The NEBOSH National General Certificate is for those starting their careers in health and safety. It is taught over two weeks and leads to Technical membership of IOSH (Tech IOSH). The NEBOSH National Diploma is for those seeking a more senior position in health and safety. It is taught over six weeks and leads to Graduate membership of IOSH (Grad IOSH).
How hard is the ‘NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety’ and how long does the course take?
The NEBOSH General Certificate is equivalent in academic terms to an A Level. It is achievable through study and preparation. Our tutors guide learners through the course work and prepare them for the assessments.
The NEBOSH General Certificate takes 80-120 hours to study, depending on what delivery method you choose. There are set times when the exams are held which will need to be taking into consideration if trying to complete it in a short timeframe.
How much does the NEBOSH General Certificate cost?
The cost of the NEBOSH General Certificate varies depending on what method of delivery you choose and the location. Please see the ‘How can I study’ section below for further information.
How can I study?
We recognise that everyone is different, which is why we offer a choice of study routes.
Learners can attend a course at one of our training centres, complete the course live online, complete the course online or we can deliver the course in your workplace.
Online - instant access
New Syllabus
The NGC online programme allows you to study at your own pace and in your own time without the need to take time off work or stay away from home.
This new online programme includes tutorial videos, interactive exercises, student forums, tutor support, and practice questions to make sure you are fully prepared for the NG1 examination and NG2 risk assessment task.
Student interaction is strongly encouraged, and students can discuss ideas, help and support each other and get help from tutors in the new forums.
The open book examination can be taken online. You have 24 hours to complete the assessment which should take approximately 5 hours.
The workplace-based assignment is submitted one week after the examination. The first exam of the new syllabus will be held in November.
Additional fees for NEBOSH Examination and Assessment.
Why online?
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Structured and easy to follow programme
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Study wherever and whenever suits you
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Perfect for people with busy lives
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Most cost-effective way to study for this qualification
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Course includes comprehensive range of materials
Live Online
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Study remotely and learn ‘live’ with a tutor just as you would in a classroom.
Students join via the web using a PC, laptop or tablet. The course is run using Zoom, but students don’t need to download any software. Throughout the course, students can see and interact with the tutor and with each other.
The open book examination and workplace-based assignment are taken online. The examination takes about 4-5 hours during a 24-hour window.
Please note: Assessment fees are charged separately.
Why study Live Online?
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Expert teaching by an experienced tutor
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Tutor support for individual learners
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An opportunity to interact with and learn from other students
In your workplace
In your workplace training is currently delivered remotely with students joining using a PC, laptop or tablet. Request a call back to find out more.
We can visit your workplace and deliver the 9-day course on dates of your choice.
This is an effective way of training a group of people as it saves on travel costs and allows learners to keep in touch with work.
The written examination is taken at your venue on the morning of Day 10. The workplace-based risk assessment task is submitted one week after the examination.
Why in your workplace?
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Cost-effective option for a group of learners
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Face-to-face courses have the highest pass rates
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Expert teaching by an experienced tutor
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Class discussions can be company-specific
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Allows students to keep in touch with work
At a training centre
Birmingham
Birmingham (TBC Education)
London United Kingdom View in google maps
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Bristol
Bristol (TBC Education)
Bristol United Kingdom View in google maps
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Cardiff
Cardiff (TBC Education)
Cardiff United Kingdom View in google maps
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Leeds
Leeds (TBC Education)
Leeds United Kingdom View in google maps
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London
Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury
Coram Street London WC1N 1HT United Kingdom View in google maps
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London
London (TBC Education)
London United Kingdom View in google maps
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Manchester
Manchester Airport Stanley Hotel
Stanley Road Handforth Wilmslow cheshire SK9 3LD United Kingdom View in google maps
2021
November
Nottingham
Nottingham (TBC Education)
Nottingham United Kingdom View in google maps
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Reading
Reading (TBC Education)
Reading United Kingdom View in google maps
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Warrington
Warrington(TBC Education)
Warrington United Kingdom View in google maps
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Training centre course dates are subject to change due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Live Online courses may be added to replace training centre courses if the face to face versions are not able to run.
Our well-equipped training venue allows you to get away from the distractions of the workplace and focus on your qualification.
The 9-day course (delivered in 5 and 4-day blocks) is delivered by a highly qualified and experienced tutor in an interactive and engaging manner which makes learning easier.
The open book examination and workplace-based assignment are taken online. The examination takes about 4-5 hours during a 24-hour window.
Why study at a training centre?
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Face-to-face courses have the highest pass rates
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Focused study away from workplace distractions
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Expert teaching by an experienced tutor
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Tutor support for individual learners
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An opportunity to interact with and learn from other students