Who should consider the International Diploma?
The Diploma is aimed at people pursuing professional health and safety responsibilities and those wanting to develop beyond General Certificate-level knowledge. It supports work that involves evaluating risks, advising management and leading improvements across an organisation.
There is no mandatory entry qualification, but the syllabus assumes relevant prior learning. NEBOSH strongly recommends General Certificate-level knowledge or an equivalent RQF Level 3 or 4 qualification. For English-language study it recommends ability equivalent to IELTS 7.0 or higher.
Qualification level and credits
The current International Diploma follows the 2023 specification and is regulated at RQF Level 6 with 42 credits. Its qualification number is 610/2230/5. Level describes the difficulty of the learning; credits describe its size.
This is a different framework from the IGC’s SCQF Level 6, which is comparable to RQF Level 3. The matching number 6 does not mean that the IGC and Diploma are at the same academic level.
What will you study in DI1, DI2 and DI3?
The units connect organisational decision-making with the control of health and safety risks. You need to explain and evaluate arrangements, not simply recall definitions.
- DI1 — workplace health and safety principles: international legal and regulatory influences, leadership and culture, human factors, competence, risk-management approaches, monitoring, investigations and auditing.
- DI1 also develops professional ethics, influencing skills, policy strategy, organisational change, contractor management and supply-chain responsibilities.
- DI2 — workplace health: occupational health services, mental health and well-being, violence and lone working, health surveillance, hazardous substances and exposure controls, noise, vibration, radiation and musculoskeletal risks.
- DI3 — workplace safety: fire and explosion, process hazards, dangerous substances, work equipment and machinery, electrical systems, construction, work at height, excavations and workplace transport.
Teaching, independent study and assessment time
NEBOSH specifies at least 185 taught hours, 144 recommended self-study hours and approximately 80 assessment hours. The distribution below separates learning time from assessment work; the submission windows are longer than the estimated hours needed to complete each assessment.
- DI1: 71 taught hours, 58 recommended self-study hours and approximately 40 assessment hours.
- DI2: 60 taught hours, 45 recommended self-study hours and approximately 20 assessment hours.
- DI3: 54 taught hours, 41 recommended self-study hours and approximately 20 assessment hours.
How are the three units assessed?
DI1 is an assignment split across two papers, both submitted in the same sitting. Paper 1 uses simulation questions. Paper 2 includes workplace activities, reflective tasks and a research project. A suitable workplace or organisation is needed for the applied work; it does not have to be your own workplace.
DI2 and DI3 use scenario-based case studies. You apply the syllabus to the information and supporting material provided, explaining your reasoning rather than reproducing notes.
The normal submission window is four weeks (20 working days) for DI1 and two weeks (10 working days) each for DI2 and DI3. Registered release dates, deadlines and instructions govern the actual sitting. Each assessment includes a closing interview, and submitted work is subject to plagiarism checks.
Pass marks and the final Diploma grade
The provisional pass mark is 50% for each unit. You must pass DI1, DI2 and DI3 individually; a strong result in one unit cannot compensate for a failed unit. NEBOSH’s awarding process applies to the final unit marks.
The overall grade is determined by adding the three unit percentage marks, giving a combined total out of 300.
- Pass: combined total 150–195, after all three units are passed.
- Credit: combined total 196–225.
- Distinction: combined total 226 or above.
- Example: 60 + 65 + 75 = 200, which falls in the Credit band. All three unit results in this example meet the pass standard.
Completion period, resits and improving your grade
The enrolment period is five years, starting from enrolment or the declaration of the first successful unit, whichever is later. Units can be taken in any order. An unsuccessful unit can be retaken within that period, with an additional assessment fee.
You may also retake a passed unit to improve your overall grade. NEBOSH requires notice of that intention within 20 working days of the result declaration for the final successful unit. When a unit is taken more than once, the highest result is used for the final grade.
What should you arrange before starting?
Plan tutor-supported study, independent reading and substantial assessment work separately. DI1’s workplace tasks also require access to suitable organisational information. If access is difficult, discuss an appropriate organisation with the Learning Partner before assessment.
Every learner must register and undertake the relevant learning through a NEBOSH Learning Partner. HSE Promo can help with course enquiries and available training arrangements; assessment registration and completion requirements follow NEBOSH’s rules.
How can the Diploma support your next step?
The qualification develops the depth needed for senior advisory and management responsibilities. Successful holders may use the designatory letters IDipNEBOSH. It can meet academic requirements for relevant professional membership and can support applications for further university study.
Membership grade, Chartered status and university admission have separate experience or application conditions. The Diploma provides an academic foundation for those routes rather than awarding them automatically.
Official qualification resources
- NEBOSH: qualification, recognition and assessment information
- NEBOSH: Diploma learner guide (PDF)
- NEBOSH: full syllabus and learning outcomes (PDF)
- NEBOSH: digital assessment guide (PDF)
- NEBOSH: applying knowledge to scenario-based assessments (PDF)
Reviewed 25 October 2026. The current specification and registered assessment instructions apply.