The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Sports Nutrition (Dip Sports Nutrition) is a specialised qualification designed for professionals seeking to advance their expertise in nutrition for athletes and physically active individuals. This course equips learners with comprehensive knowledge of nutritional science, performance optimisation, dietary planning, and evidence-based strategies to support athletic performance and overall health. It is particularly suitable for sports coaches, fitness trainers, nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare practitioners who wish to enhance their professional skills and career prospects in the field of sports nutrition.
By completing this qualification, learners will expand their professional knowledge, strengthen their practical competencies, and improve their Continuing Professional Development (CPD), enabling them to deliver informed nutritional guidance to athletes and active populations. The curriculum covers essential areas such as macronutrient and micronutrient requirements, hydration strategies, supplementation, performance nutrition for different sports, and dietary interventions for recovery and injury prevention.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Sports Nutrition are required to maintain the highest standards of training. This includes employing competent and qualified staff, providing comprehensive learning resources, and ensuring access to all necessary materials for effective teaching and assessment. By adhering to these standards, centres guarantee that learners receive a high-quality educational experience that maximises skill acquisition, knowledge development, and professional success.
This qualification offers learners the opportunity to gain practical, evidence-based skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on athletic performance, health, and wellbeing through informed nutritional practices.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Sports Nutrition (Dip Sports Nutrition
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2201031
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Sports Nutrition (Dip Sports Nutrition) , applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201031-1 |
Fundamentals of Sports Nutrition |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201031-2 |
Energy Metabolism and Exercise |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201031-3 |
Hydration and Fluid Balance |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201031-4 |
Dietary Planning for Performance |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201031-5 |
Supplements and Ergogenic Aids |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201031-6 |
Professional Practice and Evidence-Based Sports Nutrition |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Sports Nutrition
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Explain the principles of sports nutrition and its role in supporting athletic performance and recovery
- Identify essential macro- and micronutrients required for athletes and describe their functions
- Analyse the impact of nutritional imbalances on performance, health, and recovery
- Discuss how nutrition contributes to overall physical and mental wellbeing in athletes
Unit 2: Energy Metabolism and Exercise
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Explain the energy systems used during different types of physical activity
- Describe the roles of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in energy production
- Analyse the effect of exercise intensity, duration, and type on nutritional requirements
- Apply knowledge of metabolism to optimise energy availability for athletic performance
Unit 3: Hydration and Fluid Balance
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Explain the importance of hydration for performance, recovery, and overall health
- Identify signs, causes, and consequences of dehydration in athletes
- Develop strategies to maintain optimal fluid balance before, during, and after exercise
- Advise on hydration protocols tailored to different sports and environmental conditions
Unit 4: Dietary Planning for Performance
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Design personalised nutrition plans based on sport, training schedule, and competition demands
- Apply evidence-based strategies for pre-, during-, and post-exercise nutrition
- Monitor, evaluate, and adjust dietary interventions to optimise performance outcomes
- Integrate individual needs, preferences, and goals into sports nutrition planning
Unit 5: Supplements and Ergogenic Aids
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Evaluate the role of dietary supplements and ergogenic aids in supporting athletic performance
- Analyse the benefits, risks, and legal considerations associated with supplement use
- Advise athletes on safe and effective use of supplements and ergogenic aids
- Apply evidence-based guidance when recommending or assessing supplementation strategies
Unit 6: Professional Practice and Evidence-Based Sports Nutrition
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Apply research and evidence-based practice to sports nutrition decision-making
- Understand ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities in sports nutrition practice
- Communicate nutritional guidance effectively to athletes, coaches, and support teams
- Plan and engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain professional competence
The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Sports Nutrition is designed for learners who want to develop advanced expertise in nutrition for athletic performance and physical wellbeing. This course is particularly suitable for:
- Sports coaches, personal trainers, and fitness instructors seeking to enhance their nutritional knowledge
- Nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare professionals supporting athletes or physically active individuals
- Professionals working with teams, clubs, or community sports programmes aiming to optimise performance outcomes
- Learners looking to provide evidence-based dietary guidance for training, competition, and recovery
- Individuals committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and enhancing their professional skills
- Those aiming to advance career prospects in sports, fitness, healthcare, or nutrition sectors
This course equips learners with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional competence required to make a meaningful impact on athletic performance, recovery, and overall health through informed nutritional practices.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Sports Nutrition must maintain high standards to ensure learners receive quality training and achieve successful outcomes. Key requirements include:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ instructors with relevant qualifications and professional experience in sports nutrition, exercise science, or healthcare, capable of delivering evidence-based teaching.
- Comprehensive Learning Resources: Centres should provide learners with access to textbooks, digital learning materials, assessment tools, and practical resources to support effective learning.
- Safe and Suitable Training Environment: Training facilities must meet health and safety standards and provide appropriate spaces for both theoretical instruction and practical activities.
- Assessment and Feedback Systems: Centres must implement robust procedures for monitoring learner progress, conducting assessments, and providing constructive feedback.
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Staff should engage in ongoing CPD to maintain current knowledge and deliver high-quality training.
- Supportive Learner Experience: Centres should provide mentoring, guidance, and pastoral support to help learners achieve their full potential.
- Compliance with LICQual Standards: Centres must adhere to LICQual’s quality assurance, governance, and operational requirements to ensure excellence in course delivery.
By meeting these requirements, centres ensure learners gain comprehensive knowledge, practical skills, and professional competence in sports nutrition, preparing them for successful careers and improved athletic performance outcomes.
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.
