Muscat Diver...

You may have followed the marking criteria, but did you get enough depth into your Unit D Report. Of all the people I have talked to on this subject there are two big areas that consistently let people down.

1) After passing Units A, B. and C, they rush Unit D wanting to get it out of the way and get the 'Big' certificate. This is a mistake, as marking of the Unit D Report is as tight as any of the other units and simple errors and mistakes loose marks.

2) The depth of the content and 'significance' of the areas reviewed wthin the report are not of substantial depth to get the marks required. (e.g. really significant issues covered in reasonable depth do well; areas not so significant and not dealt with in the degree of depth required do not score well...)

The other areas that let people down are:

- spelling (spell checkers make errors too especially if you rely on MS Word)
yes it does count, how often have you picked up mis-spelt words in reports !
- Referencing of work where required (e.g. Havard and Vancouver)
- Use of achronisms (e.g. ACoP, SI, HSE, HSG etc) without first having written it
out in full (i.e. Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) etc, which then allows you
to use ACoP freely thereafter without further reference)
- front covers with huge lettering on (where does it say use 36 point bold on the
front cover)
- going over 1 A4 page for the Executive Summary (for each 1/4 page over you
loose 10% of your marks for that section)
- writing waffle to make up the minimum number of works required for the
report (8000), if yur report is in-depth enough, you should be looking to
reduce the odd word or 200 when completed to get it down to 8000, not the
other way around...
- Using one reference to something in one section and a different reference in
another (e.g. OHSAS 18001 and BS OHSAS 18001)

I did my Diploma by distance learning too, via Northumbria University, it was well supported, good 'E' access, with assigments to complete and mock exams etc that were marked and comments recieved from examiners etc, plus email and phone support that was unlimited (and much cheaper than a lot of other courses available).

For those who think there is some kind of 'magic Nebosh language' I can tell you, sorry there is not, its all a myth... they use words to describe what is required from you in your examination, and there is no big secret to that, the words are; outline, describe, explain, etc or can be, with the aid of sketches/ drawing describe etc... nothing to it, and like all exam questions its useful to know the depth of answer required to be able to put in sufficient information to be able answer what is asked and get the necessary marks for that question - no dark secret here then....

For those who say that 'distance learning' is not a good option, I say you get out of it what you put into it... Muscat Diver has done well, and just needs to 'nail' the Unit D report...

If you want to email me a copy I'll look at it and give you an honest opinion... just don't expect it not to be critical, if there's problems I'll tell you and won't pussyfoot around doing it, you'll get it straight.

Many thanks SD1 - yes I did pass Unit D. Your offer will be appreciated by current students, Best regards

I have the dubious honour of being responsible for H and S in a manufacturing company these days. I thought to get an understanding I'd send myself on NEBOSH diploma.

The course is designed to pass an exam. I did that no worries with a distinction, but the course was a crock. It is purely an academic exercise and offers little for day to day management.

The above post by skydiver reminds me why it was such a steaming pile.... size of the bloody lettering on the front sheet? Not explaining that HSE stands for Health and Safety Executive? FFS that is not examining knowledge but style, and part of the reason I hold NEBOSH as a body in so low regard. The whole examination system parallels modern "learning", they are teaching people to pass an exam and not to apply knowledge. There is just too much of a disconnect with NEBOSH.

30% of the time spent on the "exam" that I didn't give a hoot about. I was wholely unimpressed and blocked NEBOSH training for the rest of the company as being unsuitable.

OP.. to do the practical nip down to any local shed and walk around for an hour. You'll find enough, give them a report and they'll be happy too.

Originally Posted by crabthebuilder

Thinking of doing the diploma, distance learning through Phoenix health and safety. anybody know if they are any good.

Just making enquiries into the diploma with Phoenix myself, they are ELCAS registered and the price £1800 + VAT seems a fair price. I got a distinction on the Gen Cert (god only knows how) so am hoping I can scrape a pass on this!