NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals

The NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals is a perfect choice if you want to make health and safety your career.

The syllabus has been developed with experts for experts! We consulted with over 600 people including, key stakeholders, previous Diploma learners, Learning Partners, subject experts, and employers during its development. 

The resulting qualification will give you the knowledge and practical skills you need to perform as a leading health and safety professional of the future. You will gain confidence in your capabilities to recognise and solve everyday health and safety issues and take opportunities for improvement.

This advanced international health and safety qualification will support your academic and career progression.

This is a replacement qualification for the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. If you are studying the previous syllabus further information can be found here.

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Who is it for? 

This qualification is a perfect choice for anyone who wants to make health and safety their career.

Building upon the foundation of knowledge provided by the NEBOSH General Certificate, it is particularly relevant for:

• Health and safety professionals or those with aspirations to be one
• People with health and safety responsibilities who want to gain an in-depth understanding
  

Employers

Employers looking for more information on how NEBOSH qualifications can benefit your organisation, can find out more on our Guidance for Employers page.

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Course Details

The qualification deliberately looks at general workplace issues so that is can be applied in the many different sectors in which health and safety professionals may work. 

On completion of the qualification, you will be able to:

• advise on the types of legislation likely to apply, the relevance of ILO and non-government bodies’ guidance and possible enforcement actions
• identify and effectively communicate relevant health and safety information
• advise on a range of common workplace health and safety issues including how these can be assessed, controlled and monitored
• develop a health and safety policy strategy (including proactive safety, Corporate Social Responsibility and the change management process)
• contribute to a risk management strategy
• promote a positive health and safety culture
• develop and audit health and safety management systems
• maintain individual and organisational health and safety competence
• manage contractors and supply chains to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

Length of course

The qualification requires a minimum of 185 taught hours plus 144 recommended self-study hours and 80 assessment hours.

Entry Requirements

There are no mandatory qualification entry requirements but it is strongly recommended learners have undertaken the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. The syllabus assumes that learners will have this level of prior learning.

It is important that learners have a suitable standard of English language in order to understand and articulate the concepts contained in the syllabus. NEBOSH recommends that learners undertaking this qualification should reach a minimum standard of English equivalent to an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 or higher in IELTS tests.

Read more about language requirements for NEBOSH qualifications.

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Start studying

Choose a Learning Partner

Every learner must register with a NEBOSH accredited Learning Partner and undertake the relevant learning before taking an assessment and gaining a qualification. It is not possible to self-study for a NEBOSH qualification. 

Our global network of Learning Partners provide excellent learning and support and will help you prepare for your assessments. You can search for Learning Partners in our Where to Study section, and can filter the results by multiple factors, such as location and mode of study.

You should ensure that the Learning Partner you choose offers the qualification in the way you want to study. We recommend that you explore your options before selecting a Learning Partner as it is an important personal choice.

The factors you may wish to consider include:

• Mode of Study – Options available include face to face, distance learning, in-company training and eLearning. Has one method of learning been more effective for you in the past?
• Course Structure – If you opt for classroom training, would you prefer day or evening classes, block release or a modular course?
• Location – Being able to study and sit your examinations locally may be an important consideration for you. NEBOSH examinations are taken in over 130 countries.
• On-going support – Will the support provided during your course and in the run up to your assessments match your expectations?

FIND A LEARNING PARTNER

Cost

Each Learning Partner sets their own fees to reflect the service offered. We recommend you contact a number of Learning Partners to establish what their fees are and what is included in the fee. Costs can vary depending on the mode of study, the level of support given, and the inclusion of examination registration fees, among other factors. 

Read more about our Learning Partner Programme and how to choose the right Learning Partner for you: Choosing a NEBOSH Learning Partner.

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Professional Recognition and Accreditation

Professional body recognition

Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)

Holders of the NEBOSH National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals will now be eligible for certification as a Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) upon completion of the CRST examination.

For those with greater workplace experience and additional qualifications, the BCRSP is offering a streamlined route to Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) certification for people with a NEBOSH National or International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. Read more on the BCRSP website.

South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh)

Members of the Saiosh can now upgrade from Technical membership (TechSaiosh) to Graduate Membership (GradSaiosh) using the NEBOSH International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals to meet the membership level’s academic requirements.

Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)

The International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals is recognized as a Qualified Equivalent Program (QEP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), meeting the qualified credential requirement for the Transitional Safety Practitioner (TSP) certification.

Applications must be made within one year of achieving the Diploma; download the application instructions. For more information on the BCSP and the Transitional Safety Practitioner (TSP) designation, please download the Benefits of Becoming a TSP document, or visit the BCSP website.

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

This qualification is now accredited by Ofqual and, following changes to IOSH's accreditation criteria, we re-applied for IOSH recognition. We can confirm that the NEBOSH Level 6 National and International Diplomas meet the academic requirements to apply for IOSH membership at the appropriate grade. Please see full information on the recent changes and how this applies to learners at different stages of their studies: Diploma Recognition Update.

Learners who achieved the International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals (2020 specification) before August 2024 and were registered with NEBOSH before August 2022 can also apply for IOSH membership at the appropriate grade, irrespective of the country they took their qualification or whether their Diploma parchment features a regulator logo.

Ofqual Accreditation

The NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals (2023 specification) has been accredited and credit rated by Ofqual at RQF Level 6 with 42 credits. See the Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries chart issued by the UK regulators.

We can confirm that the NEBOSH International Diploma meets the academic requirements to apply for IOSH membership at the appropriate grade. More information about recent accreditation changes is available here: Diploma Recognition Update.  

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Existing Learners

This is a replacement qualification for the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. If you are studying the 2015 syllabus further information can be found here.

If you are considering moving between specifications, the transitional arrangements have been outlined in the Frequently Asked Questions document in the resources section below.

Don’t forget, your Learning Partner will be able to answer any questions about the qualification, register you for the relevant assessments, and will be a key point of contact throughout your studies.

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Assessments

The assessments focus on the application of knowledge to help you prepare for the health and safety tasks faced in the workplace.

Assessment Format

The qualification units are assessed in the following way:

DI1 – Know – workplace health and safety principles	Assignment - workplace-based tasks together with simulations and reflective statements and a research topic
DI2 – Do – controlling workplace health issues	Scenario-based case study
DI3 – Do – controlling workplace safety issues	Scenario-based case study

 

Each assessment is a substantial undertaking. We anticipate that it will take you around 40 hours to complete the DI1 assignment and 20 hours each for the DI2 and DI3 case studies. The time-period given for you to complete each assessment reflects this:

Unit DI1: 4 weeks (20 working days)
Unit DI2: 2 weeks (10 working days)
Unit DI3: 2 weeks (10 working days)

Assessment Dates

The following dates have been confirmed for diploma assessment sittings. Assessments are available from 12pm (midday) UK time on the release date, and the submission deadline is 12pm UK time on the submission date shown:

Unit	Release date (12pm UK time)	Submission date (12pm UK time)	Results notification date
DI1	Wednesday 11 September 2024	Wednesday 09 October 2024	Wednesday 18 December 2024
DI2	Wednesday 13 November 2024	Wednesday 27 November 2024	Friday 14 February 2025
DI3	Wednesday 15 January 2025	Wednesday 29 January 2025	Wednesday 09 April 2025
DI1	Wednesday 12 March 2025	Wednesday 09 April 2025	Tuesday 24 June 2025
DI2	Wednesday 14 May 2025	Thursday 29 May 2025	Thursday 07 August 2025
DI3	Wednesday 16 July 2025	Wednesday 30 July 2025	Thursday 09 October 2025
DI1	Wednesday 17 September 2025	Wednesday 15 October 2025	Monday 05 January 2026
DI2	Wednesday 12 November 2025	Wednesday 26 November 2025	Monday 16 February 2026

 

All assessments will be checked via Turnitin plagiarism software and you will be required to have a closing interview with after each assessment.

Assessment Registration

Only Diploma learners who have enrolled with NEBOSH through an accredited Learning Partner are eligible to register for Diploma assessments. You must be enrolled before the deadline of the assessment you wish to register for. Please contact your learning partner directly to confirm their closing date.

Assessment Results

You will receive your results 50 working days after the submission date for your assessment. A unit certificate will be issued 20 working days after the notification date for each successful unit. 

Once you have passed all three unit assessments (DI1/DI2/DI3) your combined percentage mark will give your overall grade for the qualification (Distinction/Credit/Pass).

Distinction 226 or higher
Credit 196 – 225
Pass 150 – 195

A qualification parchment will be issued 20 working days after the results notification date for the third successful unit.  

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What's Next?

Graduation

To acknowledge the achievements of Diploma candidates, NEBOSH organises an annual Graduation & Awards Ceremony. Learners are invited to the next available graduation ceremony following successful completion of their Diploma.

Find out more about the ceremony: NEBOSH Graduation.

Join the NEBOSH Alumni

Its free and easy for NEBOSH Diploma holders to join the NEBOSH Alumni. There are lots of benefits to signing up including the opportunity to network, invitations to CPD events and webinars, access to exclusive resources and the opportunity to help us shape the future of NEBOSH qualifications.

Learn more about joining: NEBOSH Alumni.

Add Designatory Letters after your name

You are entitled to use the designatory letters IDipNEBOSH after your name once you pass the NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals.

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Further Study

NEBOSH offers a range of qualifications that bring you success and advancement in your chosen field.

• Diploma holders wishing to develop their environmental expertise may consider taking the NEBOSH National/International Diploma in Environmental Management.
• In addition, NEBOSH offer specialist qualifications for Construction, Fire, Oil & Gas and Process Industry sectors, as well as Leadership Excellence, and Wellbeing.

Learning at Masters level, with an emphasis on practice-led research

In partnership with NEBOSH, the University of Hull is offering Masters Degrees in Occupational Health, Safety and Environment subjects.

The following taught MSc qualifications in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management are available to NEBOSH Diploma holders:

• MSc in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management
• MSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management
• MSc in Environmental Management

For more information please click here.

Master of Research (MRes) qualifications have been designed to complement the learner’s career through research directly relevant to their own work. The following qualifications are available to Diploma holders:

• MRes in Occupational Health and Safety Management
• MRes in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management
• MRes in Environmental Management

For more information please click here.

Additional Masters programmes

A number of universities offer MSc programs which accept the NEBOSH Diplomas as a full or partial entry requirement. Some MSc courses may require additional qualifications/expertise, such as a degree, further significant work experience or expect learners to complete specific modules e.g. in environmental management.

Listed below are some universities that may accept a NEBOSH International Diploma for entry. Prospective learners should contact their chosen university directly to confirm the entry requirements and check that their specific qualifications are appropriate.

• Loughborough University
• University of Greenwich
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Salford
• Middlesex University
• University of South Wales

Please note that there are additional relevant university MSc courses not listed above. Their positions in relation to NEBOSH qualifications were unavailable at the time of publishing.

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Resources