NEBOSH General Certificate

Course overview

NEBOSH qualifications are designed to provide a broad understanding of health and safety management in the workplace. They introduce learners to key principles, including how to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective control measures to prevent injury and ill health.

The NEBOSH National General Certificate provides a practical introduction to health and safety management in the workplace. It covers core principles such as risk assessment, hazard control, and legal responsibilities, helping learners build the knowledge and confidence to create safer working environments. Suitable for managers, supervisors, and newcomers to health and safety, it provides a strong foundation for professional development.

Suitable for managers, supervisors, and newcomers to health and safety, it provides a strong foundation for professional development.

What you will learn

Through a practical, real-world approach, learners will develop the confidence to investigate incidents, conduct safety inspections, produce risk assessments, and implement effective control measures. The course also builds critical skills in influencing positive safety culture, engaging colleagues, and communicating health and safety responsibilities at all levels of an organisation.

The Course Tutor will facilitate sessions by guiding learners through a well-structured course workbook that leads them through the content step by step. The handbook reinforces key concepts, provides practical examples, and helps learners prepare effectively for assessments.

By the end of the qualification, students will be able to:

• Understand the foundations of health and safety management systems
• Identify common workplace hazards and assess associated risks
• Apply practical control measures to prevent accidents and ill health
• Investigate incidents and recommend improvements
• Contribute to a safer, more compliant, and more productive working environment

How the course is assessed

• Through a combination of practical and knowledge-based tasks.
• You will complete an open-book examination to demonstrate your understanding of health and safety principles and a workplace-based risk assessment in which you identify hazards and recommend improvements.
• This flexible approach allows you to apply your learning to real-life scenarios, ensuring you develop practical skills you can use immediately in the workplace.

Number of days per week

• Sessions will be held on a part-time day-release basis.
• These sessions will take place on the Sighthill Campus, every Wednesday from 8.45 AM to 4.30 PM. 
• The course commences on Wednesday, 26 August, and runs through to the end of November.
• The course fee will be £1386.
• You will be registered for the NEBOSH examination, which takes place on 2 December 2026.
• The National General Certificate will involve a minimum of 66 taught hours and approximately 40 hours of private study and background reading.

Entry requirements

• You will meet with the Course Tutor prior to undertaking the course. This valued informal and constructive conversation will help you decide if this is the right professional course, the right time and the right mode of study. 
• The Course Tutor will be able to discuss course expectations.  

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• Assessment consists of an online open-book exam (NG1) and a practical workplace risk assessment (NG2).
• Both assessments are designed to test practical understanding and the ability to apply health and safety knowledge in real-life situations.

English Proficiency Requirements

It is recommended that students have English skills at IELTS 6.0 or higher, and, as the course involves written assignments and an open-book examination, learners should be able to read and interpret information and communicate their ideas clearly in writing.

Progression and Articulation Routes

On successful completion, you will be professionally recognised by NEBOSH and awarded the NEBOSH Certificate.  You will also be entitled to:

• Affiliate membership (AIOSH) of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).  The qualification also meets the academic requirements for Technical Membership (Tech IOSH) of IOSH with appropriate experience
• Associate Membership (AIIRSM) of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management  (IIRSM)

Achieving the NEBOSH National General Certificate opens the door to further professional development in health and safety. You can progress to higher-level qualifications such as the NEBOSH National Diploma, which develops advanced knowledge and strategic skills for senior roles.

Career options

• Those looking to specialise may also progress into areas such as fire safety, construction safety, or environmental management.