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Dafydd Jenkins MSc, BSc (Hons), FdSc, GradIOSH, SIIRSM

Astutis Introduces: NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety New Online Course

Discover everything you need to know about the online course and why you should consider online learning over a classroom course!

October 2019

Taking the NEBOSH General Certificate Online format is one of the most convenient ways to get your entry qualification into health and safety. You can work from anywhere, from any device with the online course meaning you can complete the Certificate in your own time, at your own pace.

What’s the difference between the NEBOSH General Certificate Online and Classroom courses?

In theory, very little. Whether learning online or in the classroom environment those who pass the assessment will ultimately receive the same NEBOSH General Certificate qualification.

The only real difference is the route taken to reach that point. Classroom learning requires you to be present and attend a venue at specific times. By contrast, e-learning allows for greater flexibility, which means you can learn from the comfort of your own home, on a train or anywhere.

This means you can take the course around your existing responsibilities including family life, work commitments or even other courses! It means less disruption and it is often a more cost effective way of learning.

Why pick the online e-learning course?

Home learning is becoming a hugely popular way to study. In fact, since the year 2000 e-learning has grown by 900% which is reflected in the growth in students choosing to take the NEBOSH Certificate online. This is largely down to the flexibility it brings.

Companies can be reluctant to grant extended time out of the business for employees to work towards qualifications. E-learning provides the option of studying in your spare time, meaning everyday productivity will remain high.

There is also no real urgency to pass the course quickly. Students have 12 months to complete all modules and the assessment itself which actually only requires a recommended 113 hours of study. With online learning, this time can be broken down in a way that works best for you. Just over 2 hours a week over a year will bring you up to that total for example.

The course material is bright, engaging and interactive – helping those with limited prior experience in health and safety to gain insight and context. Research shows that e-learning increases retention rates by 25 – 60%! Similarly, those with a background in the sector are free to focus only on modules in which they are less experienced, as opposed to following a set structure laid out by a tutor in a classroom.

Research conducted by Astutis found no real difference in the rate of first time passers between classroom and online learners, proving there is no disadvantage to studying in your own time.

There is little in the way of entry requirements for the NEBOSH General Certificate online. You don’t need any special software or a state-of-the-art computer. All you need to access your training materials is a laptop, PC, tablet or smartphone.

NEBOSH General Certificate online taster

If you want to get a feel for the materials for the online NEBOSH General Certificate, a short trial version of the course is available. It is identical to the real thing and you can make sure that you get the training you’re expecting before committing. Access your online course preview here!

What is the NEBOSH General Certificate Online like?

  • The e-learning platform is a modern, interactive and engaging experience that is designed by in-house learning designers and multimedia developers. Everything you need to pass is in this course. It will teach you what you need to know and prepare you to complete activities that test your knowledge and reinforce your learning.
  • A thriving online community and active tutor will be available to you and you'll have continual access to your tutor via email and over the phone if needed. The forum meanwhile, provides an excellent way to communicate with other learners to share study techniques.
  • Exam guidance and help using a step-by-step guide to prepare you for the exam and practical. It builds your knowledge on all the topics with activities, short answer questions and practice exam questions with feedback at every stage. You also have practice exams (that are marked) using past papers, webinars and revision guides!

Is the e-learning NEBOSH Certificate the same value as the classroom?

The NEBOSH Certificate is awarded no matter what method you choose to study, there is no difference between a qualification earned by studying online or in the classroom. Everyone has different demands from their employer and it won’t affect your qualification if your circumstances require you to study the e-learning version of the NEBOSH Certificate.

Astutis are proud to offer the NEBOSH General Certificate in a myriad of learning formats to help maximise the potential of each and every learner. Take a look at all of our formats on the NEBOSH General Certificate page.

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  • "Astutis were recommended to me by a health and safety manager so booked NEBOSH general certificate with them, and they are a really good training provider. The course materials are well laid out and there is plenty of help and support. Really can't fault them."

    Peter
    25.08.2026
  • "The NEBOSH general certificate is a difficult course and the hours have to be put in to pass. There is no short cut. The course materials from Astutis are really good and as well as that there are videos available that help you to prepare, my advice, listen to the course and watch the videos over and over until it is engrained into you."

    Peter
    25.08.2026
  • "Excellent service and a great learning experience. The course content was clear and well-structured, and the support provided throughout the learning journey was very helpful. I would highly recommend Astutis."

    Ghadeer
    13.08.2026
  • "The course was well-structured, informative, and easy to follow. I found the content very useful and relevant to my professional development."

    Ghadeer
    13.08.2026
  • "Very good service the tutor was very good."

    06.08.2026
  • "Very good"

    06.08.2026
  • "Very good, helpful tutors that would go over any points that I was unsure of. Tutors had a deep under standing of the course they where presenting."

    31.07.2026
  • "Ideal pace for my learning needs."

    31.07.2026
  • "Very helpful and responsive, Highly recommend in terms of online learning and courses."

    Grace
    21.07.2026
  • "It additional knowledge for me cos I’m working in construction industry."

    Grace
    21.07.2026