Choosing a health and safety course

NEBOSH or IOSH - Which is right for me?

17th April 2023

Are you trying to decide between a NEBOSH or IOSH qualification? Want to find out more about the difference between these qualification providers? In this blog we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the providers, so you can pick your course with confidence.

NEBOSH and IOSH provide widely recognised qualifications in health and safety. They both offer a selection of courses, tailored to different industries and job roles. Similarly, they are both members of the OSHCR, a public register of UK-based health and safety advice consultants.

There are, however, several differences between the two. The main distinction is that NEBOSH is an awarding body, whereas IOSH is a member organisation, as well as an awarding body.

Let’s look at a few more differences between IOSH and NEBOSH below.

A Quick look at a few more differences between IOSH and NEBOSH.

What is NEBOSH?

NEBOSH stands for the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health.

Since 1979, the awarding body has been offering health and safety qualifications recognised by membership organisations, including IIRSM and IEMA.

The NEBOSH General Certificate is highly recognised throughout the health and safety industry and shows that the candidate has a strong understanding of health and safety.

Phoenix provides the most popular NEBOSH certificates and diplomas, including:

These NEBOSH certificates are internationally recognised and can be studied in-house, in a classroom, or via online, via the virtual classroom or e-Learning. These options allow participants to complete the training at their own pace before undertaking the final assessment to gain the relevant certificate or diploma.

What is IOSH?

IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) is a professional membership organisation for health and safety professionals. The not-for-profit institution is independent and was originally known as the Institution of Industrial Safety Officers (ISO) when founded in 1953.

There are a selection of IOSH training courses available, including Working Safely, Managing Safely and Leading Safely. The higher-level courses are best suited to individuals in supervisory and management roles, whereas entry-level IOSH courses (like Working Safely) are suitable for staff who want to learn the basics of workplace health and safety.

There are no entry requirements and no need to be an IOSH member to complete any IOSH course. Workplace safety is the responsibility of everyone, which is why there are IOSH qualifications available for people working in different organisational roles.

You can find out more about the IOSH courses available below:

The difference between NEBOSH and IOSH courses

IOSH and NEBOSH are two well-known organisations in the field of occupational health and safety. While both IOSH and NEBOSH are focused on improving workplace safety and health, they have some key differences in terms of their focus, qualifications, and approach to training.

NEBOSH qualifications tend to be more comprehensive in both course length and subject matter, whereas IOSH courses are modular.

IOSH is primarily a membership organisation that focuses on promoting excellence in occupational safety and health. It offers a range of training courses and qualifications to support its members and the wider profession. NEBOSH, on the other hand, is a provider of health and safety qualifications and training courses that are recognised globally.

IOSH offers a range of membership levels, including Affiliate, Associate, Technical, and Chartered memberships. It also offers a range of training courses, including the IOSH Managing Safely course, which provides an introduction to health and safety management. NEBOSH offers a range of qualifications, including the NEBOSH National General Certificate, which is widely recognised as a leading qualification in the field of occupational health and safety.

IOSH's training courses focus on providing practical guidance on how to manage health and safety in the workplace. NEBOSH's qualifications are more focused on providing in-depth knowledge of health and safety principles and practices, and they require a significant amount of study and preparation.

For example, the NEBOSH General Certificate training takes 9 days via classroom learning, or 113 hours of online learning. IOSH Managing Safely takes 3 days of classroom learning or 24 hours of online learning. NEBOSH Diplomas require a more intensive study period, with 6 weeks of classroom study required.

IOSH qualifications are typically built for non-health and safety personnel who are looking to increase their workplace efficiency and manage risk and resources.

NEBOSH is designed for health and safety professionals who already have a career or want to further their career in the industry, and achieve a professional certification at a high level.

Ultimately, the choice between IOSH and NEBOSH will depend on your specific needs and career goals.

NEBOSH Courses

NEBOSH is designed for professionals who want or already have a career in Health and Safety.

It is suitable if you’re looking to further your career within the Health and Safety industry, especially if you want to study towards a comprehensive qualification. NEBOSH courses can also qualify you as a "competent person" in your organisation for legislative requirements such as the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the management of health and safety at work regulations.

NEBOSH training courses take considerably longer than IOSH and provide qualifications, not just training certificates.

NEBOSH Certificates are Level 3 qualifications and provide a strong foundation in health and safety principles, covering the key knowledge needed to start a career in the industry.

NEBOSH Diplomas are Level 6 qualifications and degree-level. They are more advanced than IOSH courses and NEBOSH Certificates and require far more study time. Completing a NEBOSH Diploma prepares candidates for a lifelong health and safety career.

IOSH Courses

IOSH is suitable for non-health and safety personnel who are looking to manage risk and resources.

You will study on a modular basis, gaining smaller qualifications more quickly that build towards higher-level knowledge and practical skills.

It provides health and safety awareness to individuals who might have an interest in workplace safety or some responsibility for the welfare of others, but who do not normally work specifically in health and safety roles.

IOSH courses are suitable for team members or managers looking to get up to speed on health and safety fundamentals. If you're already qualified or working as a health and safety professional and have other qualifications, then a NEBOSH qualification is more suitable.

What is IOSH membership?

By taking IOSH courses, you can pass through five different levels of membership:

  • Student Membership of IOSH is available to individuals who are studying for a career in occupational health and safety for a small membership fee, providing tools to improve employability post-study.

  • Affiliate Membership of IOSH is open to everyone who pays the membership fee

  • Associate Membership (AIOSH) is achieved by completing a diploma-level qualification

  • If you then go on to join a CPD (continuous professional development) programme, you can progress to Technical Membership (Tech IOS) - this level is mainly for people who work in a full-time or part-time health and safety role and is dependent on maintaining your CPD programme

  • Graduate membership (Grad IOSH) is open to those who have completed an IOSH-accredited degree-level qualification

  • Chartered membership (CMIOSH) is recognised as the pinnacle of the health and safety profession.

  • Chartered Fellow (CFIOSH) is awarded to those who have been chartered members for 5 years or more and demonstrate outstanding commitment to their profession.

10 questions to ask yourself when deciding between IOSH & NEBOSH

Choosing between IOSH and NEBOSH will depend on your individual needs and career goals. To help you make an informed decision, here are some questions you could ask yourself:

1. What are my career goals in the field of occupational safety and health?

2. What specific skills and knowledge do I want to gain from a training or qualification program?

3. How much time and resources am I willing to invest in a training or qualification program?

4. Where do I want to work geographically, and which organisation is more recognized in that region?

5. Am I looking for professional membership and networking opportunities, or primarily seeking qualifications?

6. What is the reputation of the training or qualification programs offered by each organisation?

7. What are the costs and potential returns on investment for the training or qualification program?

8. Are there any prerequisites or requirements for the training or qualification program, and do I meet them?

9. How do the training or qualification programs align with my personal values and goals?

10. What are the opinions of other professionals in my network about these two organisations, and what are their experiences with each?

Answering the above 10 questions will help you clarify your goals, preferences, and requirements in terms of choosing between IOSH and NEBOSH. By doing so, you will be able to make a more informed decision that is aligned with your health and safety aspirations.

Based on your answers to the questions, you may have a clearer idea of which organisation is a better fit for you. For example, if you are seeking a globally recognised qualification that focuses on in-depth knowledge of health and safety principles and practices, NEBOSH might be a better option for you. On the other hand, if you are seeking a professional membership organisation that provides practical guidance on managing health and safety in the workplace, IOSH might be a better fit.

If you're looking to book a course then head over to our training pages:

Or, if you have any questions, contact us today.