The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Epidemiology (Cert Nutritional Epidemiology) is a specialised qualification designed to provide learners with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in the study of nutrition-related health patterns within populations. This course explores the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and disease, emphasising evidence-based approaches to assess and interpret nutritional data, identify public health trends, and inform policy and intervention strategies.
Ideal for healthcare professionals, nutritionists, dietitians, researchers, and public health practitioners, this qualification enhances career prospects by equipping learners with the ability to critically evaluate nutritional research, design population-based studies, and apply epidemiological findings to improve health outcomes. Completing this programme also contributes to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), strengthening professional credibility and practical expertise.
The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring learners can analyse epidemiological data, understand risk factors, and develop strategies for promoting healthy dietary behaviours at a community or population level. Centres delivering this qualification must have competent and qualified staff, supported by all necessary teaching materials, facilities, and resources to ensure high-quality training, effective learner engagement, and successful achievement of learning outcomes.
The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Epidemiology is an excellent pathway for learners aiming to build a strong foundation in nutritional research, public health assessment, and evidence-based intervention, while expanding their professional development and career opportunities in healthcare, research, and public health nutrition.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Epidemiology (Cert Nutritional Epidemiology)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2201003
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Dietetics (Cert Clinical Dietetics), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201003-1 |
Fundamentals of Nutritional Epidemiology |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201003-2 |
Research Methods and Study Design |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201003-3 |
Data Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201003-4 |
Nutrient Intake Assessment and Population Health |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201003-5 |
Evidence-Based Nutrition Interventions and Policy |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201003-6 |
Professional Practice, Ethics, and CPD in Nutritional Epidemiology |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Nutritional Epidemiology
Learners will be able to:
- Explain the principles and scope of nutritional epidemiology in public health.
- Analyse the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and disease in populations.
- Identify key factors affecting nutritional status and health outcomes in communities.
- Apply foundational epidemiological concepts to support population health assessment.
Unit 2: Research Methods and Study Design
Learners will be able to:
- Describe different research designs used in nutritional epidemiology, including observational and experimental studies.
- Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of various study designs.
- Develop research questions and plan studies to investigate dietary patterns and health outcomes.
- Apply ethical principles in the design and conduct of nutritional research.
Unit 3: Data Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation
Learners will be able to:
- Collect nutritional and health data using validated tools and methodologies.
- Analyse population-level dietary and health data using appropriate statistical methods.
- Interpret findings to identify trends, associations, and potential causative factors.
- Present data effectively to support evidence-based decision-making in public health.
Unit 4: Nutrient Intake Assessment and Population Health
Learners will be able to:
- Assess nutrient intake and dietary patterns in different population groups.
- Identify nutrient deficiencies, excesses, and diet-related health risks.
- Analyse the impact of diet on population health outcomes.
- Apply evidence-based approaches to monitor and improve nutritional status in communities.
Unit 5: Evidence-Based Nutrition Interventions and Policy
Learners will be able to:
- Develop strategies for population-level nutrition interventions based on research findings.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of public health nutrition programmes and policies.
- Apply evidence-based principles to influence nutrition policy and health promotion.
- Communicate recommendations to stakeholders, policymakers, and healthcare teams.
Unit 6: Professional Practice, Ethics, and CPD in Nutritional Epidemiology
Learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical decision-making in research and public health practice.
- Engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Communicate complex nutritional and epidemiological information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Apply legal, regulatory, and professional standards to ensure safe, ethical, and effective practice.
This course is designed for learners aiming to enhance their knowledge, research skills, and career prospects in nutritional epidemiology, public health, and healthcare nutrition. Ideal candidates include:
- Aspiring Nutritional Epidemiologists: Individuals looking to build a career in research, public health, or population nutrition.
- Healthcare Professionals: Dietitians, nurses, and allied health practitioners seeking to expand expertise in nutrition research and population health.
- Public Health Practitioners: Professionals involved in designing, implementing, or evaluating community nutrition and health programmes.
- Researchers and Academics: Individuals pursuing evidence-based research in diet, lifestyle, and disease relationships.
- Career Changers: Professionals transitioning into public health, nutrition research, or healthcare sectors who require a recognised qualification.
- Adult Learners Focused on CPD: Learners committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional growth in healthcare, nutrition, and epidemiology.
- Students of Nutrition, Health, or Life Sciences: Learners seeking a strong foundation in nutritional epidemiology for further study or specialised practice.
This course is ideal for learners who want to analyse population dietary patterns, design evidence-based interventions, improve public health outcomes, and advance their professional development in healthcare, research, and public health nutrition.
To effectively deliver the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Epidemiology (Cert Nutritional Epidemiology), centres must meet the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ experienced trainers with appropriate qualifications in nutritional epidemiology, public health, nutrition, or related fields to ensure high-quality teaching and learner support.
- Comprehensive Learning Materials: Centres should provide textbooks, digital resources, case studies, research tools, and assessment materials to facilitate effective learner engagement and knowledge retention.
- Access to Suitable Facilities and Equipment: Appropriate classrooms, practical learning spaces, or online platforms with reliable technology must be available to support both theoretical learning and practical research activities.
- Compliance with International Standards: Teaching, assessment, and learning activities must adhere to recognised international quality assurance and educational standards.
- Robust Assessment and Feedback Systems: Centres must implement effective assessment procedures and provide timely feedback to monitor learner progress and support the achievement of learning outcomes.
- Support for Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Centres should encourage and facilitate CPD for learners and staff, promoting ongoing professional growth and skill enhancement.
- Health and Safety Compliance: Centres must ensure safe learning environments, particularly for research activities and practical sessions, in line with relevant regulations.
Meeting these requirements ensures learners receive high-quality training, achieve learning outcomes successfully, and develop practical skills for professional practice in nutritional epidemiology, public health, and research.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
