How long does it take to complete the NEBOSH General Certificate?

This blog has recently been updated, August 2022, to reflect the latest course updates and modifications.

Most people thinking about taking a qualification want to know two things: how much will it cost me? how long will it take me? One of the many advantages of the NEBOSH General Certificate is its flexibility. Being able to take the course online or in a classroom means you can spend as much or as little time as you need to complete the course.

The NEBOSH General Certificate requires a total of 80-120 hours of study. This is broken down into ‘tuition hours’ and ‘self-study hours’. But how long it actually takes you to achieve your qualification will largely depend on your daily commitments, availability and chosen learning method. 

Tuition hours

Tuition hours are the time you spend on your core learning either through an online course or in a classroom. The NEBOSH General Certificate has a minimum of 68 tuition hours.

Online courses offer the most flexibility. You’ll have all the materials you need for your core learning hours, but when and how long you study for is up to you. 

Ideally you should factor in time to study every day, including weekends. If you can’t then it may take you longer to complete the course and feel confident to sit your exams. Most course providers will put a limit on how long you have access to your online course and support for so always check this before you start.

Online courses are available for the national and international version of the course. 

As well as the time spent in the classroom, you’ll also be expected to complete homework and your own additional study in the break between your sessions, so make sure you factor in time for this.

It is also important to factor in your preferred learning method, as different methods can sometimes have different durations. 

• If you choose to study the course in the Online format, it will take your approximately 110-125 hours to complete the NEBOSH General Certificate. 
• The course is also available in the Astutis exclusive Virtual Classroom, which infuses the structured and traditional feel of classroom learning with the flexibility and comfort of virtual learning. If you choose to study in the Virtual Classroom, the course should take approximately ten working days which is split over two weeks.
• The OnlinePlus+ format balances the flexibility of online learning whilst providing a more structured training plan and exclusive workshop events. The NEBOSH General Certificate should take approximately 113 hours. Which is split into sixteen hours of live tutor-led tutorials and over 90 hours of self-study. 
• Companies can also opt to train their staff on the NEBOSH General Certificate at their premises. which should take no longer than ten hours to complete.  

Self-study hours

As with any qualification, you’ll be expected to dedicate a certain amount of time to your own research. You’re recommended to spend approximately 40 hours on private study. This can be anything from reading journals and websites, to attending webinars, completing homework and watching videos.

Additional resources – like interactive activities, past exam questions and links to relevant research – are all included within your online course, so you’ll have everything you need to complete your self-study hours in one place.

If you’re studying in the classroom, you’ll be given printed course materials and workbooks, as well as recommendations on where to find additional information. 

Exams

There are 2 assessments for the NEBOSH General Certificate.

NG1/IG1 is an online open-book exam to assess what you know.

NG2/IG2 is a practical risk assessment to assess what you can do. It can be completed in your own time and submitted by email or post. You're recommended to spend around 3 hours on this assessment. 

If you're studying in a classroom, your exam will usually be scheduled for the week after your last session. If you're studying online, you'll need to let your course provider know when you're ready to sit your exam and they'll make all the arrangements for you.

All information about the NEBOSH General Certificate exams can be found on our Exam Hub.

Access the latest NEBOSH General Certificate Syllabus here.

How long is your NEBOSH General Certificate valid for?

There’s no expiration date on your NEBOSH General Certificate. Once you’ve passed it, that’s it!

Saying that, if you want to progress onto other NEBOSH qualifications, like the NEBOSH Diploma or specialist NEBOSH Certificates, you’ll need to do so within 5 years of passing your NEBOSH General Certificate.

This blog post has been updated in to reflect the changes in the NEBOSH General Certificate syllabus.