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 Digital Learning, Classroom, or Virtual Classroom
Demo
Check out one of our lessons from the course. This will give you a good idea of how we have structured the learning.
"The British Safety Council is miles ahead in all areas: tutor, materials and examination technique."
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.
What's in it for me?
The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety 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.
What do I get?
Digital Learning resources
If you chose to study with us, by Digital Learning, Classroom, or Virtual Classroom, you will get access to our excellent online resources. They have been designed to give you everything you need to know to pass the exam and assessment.
Study Support Hub
The Study Support Hub is a central hub for all students where you can arrange 1-2-1 support with a tutor, chat with tutors and fellow students, access additional guidance and prepare for assessments all in one place.
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]).
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.
Live Online
Online
2022
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
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
Bristol
Mercure Bristol North the Grange Hotel
Old Gloucester Rd Frampton Cotterell, Northwoods Bristol BS36 1RP United Kingdom View in google maps
2022
August
October
December
Cardiff – Llanedeyrn
Mercure Cardiff North Hotel
Circle Way East Llanedeyrn Cardiff CF23 9XF United Kingdom View in google maps
2022
July
September
October
Leeds - Wellington Street
Crowne Plaza Leeds
Wellington St Leeds Leeds LS1 4DL United Kingdom View in google maps
2022
July
September
November
London – Heathrow
The Sheraton Hotel
SHERATON HEATHROW HOTEL Colnbrook by Pass West Drayton Middlesex UB7 0HJ United Kingdom View in google maps
2022
July
September
November
London - Marble Arch
Thistle Marble Arch
AMBA Hotel Marble Arch Bryanston Street London W1H 7EH United Kingdom View in google maps
2022
June
Monday 6 June 2022
If you wish to purchase a late booking for this date, please contact our customer services department on +44 (0)20 3510 8355.
July
August
September
October
November
December
Nottingham - Eastwood
Eastwood Hall
Mansfield Rd, Eastwood Nottingham Nottingham NG16 3SS United Kingdom View in google maps
2022
August
October
Warrington - Knutsford Old Rd
Warrington Fir Grove Best Western Hotel
Knutsford Old Rd Grappenhall Warrington WA4 2LD United Kingdom View in google maps
2022
August
October
December
West Bromwich – Birmingham Road
Mercure Birmingham west Hotel
Birmingham Rd West Bromwich Birmingham West Midlands B70 6RS United Kingdom View in google maps
2022
July
August
September
October
November
December
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