The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Counseling (Cert Nutritional Counseling) is a comprehensive qualification designed for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in nutrition, improve client outcomes, and advance their career prospects. This course equips learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to provide effective nutritional guidance, promoting healthier lifestyles and well-being for individuals and communities.
Throughout this programme, learners will explore key principles of nutritional science, dietary planning, and counselling techniques. The qualification emphasises evidence-based practices, enabling learners to confidently assess dietary needs, develop personalised nutrition strategies, and support behavioural change in clients. By completing this course, learners not only gain recognised professional credentials but also strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD), enhancing their credibility and employability within the health, wellness, and counselling sectors.
Centres offering this qualification are required to maintain high standards of training by employing competent and qualified staff, providing learners with access to all necessary learning materials and resources. This ensures a supportive and engaging learning environment, where learners can achieve their full potential and apply their knowledge effectively in practical settings.
The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Counseling is ideal for aspiring nutritional consultants, wellness coaches, healthcare support staff, and anyone aiming to expand their understanding of nutrition and its impact on health. With a focus on practical application, professional development, and learner-centred instruction, this qualification offers a robust pathway to career advancement in the growing field of nutritional counselling.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Counseling (Cert Nutritional Counseling)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2201011
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Counseling (Cert Nutritional Counseling), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201011-1 |
Introduction to Nutritional Science |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201011-2 |
Human Physiology and Nutrition |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201011-3 |
Dietary Assessment and Planning |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201011-4 |
Nutritional Counselling Techniques |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201011-5 |
Public Health and Nutrition |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201011-6 |
Professional Practice and CPD in Nutritional Counselling |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Introduction to Nutritional Science
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the key principles of nutrition, including macro- and micronutrients
- Describe energy requirements and factors influencing individual dietary needs
- Understand the processes of digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients
- Analyse the role of nutrients in maintaining overall health and preventing disease
Unit 2: Human Physiology and Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Identify major human body systems and their functions relevant to nutrition
- Explain how nutrition affects physiological processes and metabolic health
- Evaluate the relationship between diet and disease risk in different populations
- Apply physiological knowledge to support nutritional assessment and advice
Unit 3: Dietary Assessment and Planning
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Conduct accurate dietary assessments using standard tools and techniques
- Analyse nutritional intake in relation to recommended dietary guidelines
- Develop personalised nutrition plans tailored to individual needs and goals
- Monitor and adjust dietary plans based on client progress and feedback
Unit 4: Nutritional Counselling Techniques
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective communication and active listening skills in nutritional counselling
- Apply motivational interviewing and behaviour change strategies to support clients
- Recognise ethical and cultural considerations in providing nutritional guidance
- Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling strategies and adapt approaches accordingly
Unit 5: Public Health and Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the role of nutrition in public health and disease prevention
- Analyse strategies for promoting healthy eating in communities and populations
- Assess the impact of socio-economic and cultural factors on nutritional status
- Recommend evidence-based interventions to improve public nutritional outcomes
Unit 6: Professional Practice and CPD in Nutritional Counselling
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional behaviour and ethical practice in nutritional counselling
- Maintain accurate records and adhere to client confidentiality standards
- Identify personal learning needs and engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Evaluate the impact of professional practice on client outcomes and service quality
This qualification is ideal for learners who wish to develop expertise in nutritional counselling and advance their careers in health, wellness, and related fields. The course is suitable for:
- Aspiring nutritional consultants and counsellors looking to gain recognised professional credentials
- Healthcare support staff aiming to enhance their knowledge of nutrition and client care
- Wellness coaches and lifestyle advisors seeking to expand their service offerings
- Individuals working in gyms, fitness centres, or wellness programmes who wish to provide informed nutritional guidance
- Professionals in public health or community health initiatives who want to improve population nutrition outcomes
- Learners seeking to enhance their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in nutrition and health-related disciplines
- Anyone with a keen interest in nutrition, dietary planning, and evidence-based counselling techniques
This course provides learners with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies required to confidently support clients in achieving healthier lifestyles, while also improving career prospects within the growing field of nutritional counselling.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Counseling must ensure high-quality training and learner success by meeting the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ trainers and assessors who are appropriately qualified in nutrition, health, or counselling and have relevant experience in delivering Level 3 qualifications. Staff should be capable of providing practical guidance and professional support to learners.
- Adequate Learning Resources: Centres must provide learners with access to up-to-date textbooks, course materials, digital resources, and tools required for practical nutritional assessments and counselling exercises.
- Suitable Facilities: Training facilities should be safe, accessible, and equipped for both theoretical and practical learning activities. This includes classrooms, meeting spaces, and areas for practical demonstrations or role-play sessions.
- Assessment and Quality Assurance Systems: Centres must implement robust assessment methods to evaluate learner progress and achievement. A clear internal quality assurance system should be in place to maintain high training standards.
- Learner Support Services: Centres should offer guidance, mentoring, and support to learners throughout the course, ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and engagement for all participants.
- Commitment to Professional Standards: Centres must adhere to ethical and professional standards in line with national and international best practices in nutritional counselling.
By meeting these requirements, centres ensure learners receive a professional, engaging, and effective learning experience, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the field of nutritional counselling.
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.
