The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology (Dip Nutritional Epidemiology) is a specialised qualification designed for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in the study of nutrition and its impact on population health. This course equips learners with the knowledge and skills required to analyse, interpret, and apply nutritional data to improve public health outcomes and inform evidence-based strategies. It is ideal for nutritionists, dietitians, healthcare practitioners, public health professionals, and researchers aiming to advance their professional careers and enhance their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Learners will gain comprehensive insight into the principles of nutritional epidemiology, including dietary assessment methods, research design, data analysis, and the interpretation of population-level nutritional trends. The curriculum emphasises evidence-based approaches to investigating the relationships between diet, health, and disease, enabling learners to make informed recommendations that positively influence public health nutrition policies and programmes.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology are required to uphold the highest standards of training. This includes employing competent and qualified staff, providing access to up-to-date learning resources, and ensuring all materials necessary for effective teaching and assessment are available. By maintaining these standards, centres guarantee that learners receive a high-quality educational experience that maximises knowledge acquisition, analytical skills, and professional competence.
This qualification equips learners with the practical, research-based skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in nutritional epidemiology, supporting evidence-based practice, improving community health outcomes, and advancing professional careers in nutrition and public health.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology (Dip Nutritional Epidemiology)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2201035
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology (Dip Nutritional Epidemiology), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201035-1 |
Principles of Nutritional Epidemiology |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201035-2 |
Research Design and Methodology |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201035-3 |
Dietary Assessment Techniques |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201035-4 |
Data Analysis and Interpretation |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201035-5 |
Public Health Nutrition and Policy |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201035-6 |
Professional Practice and Evidence-Based Nutritional Epidemiology |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles of Nutritional Epidemiology
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Explain the role and scope of nutritional epidemiology in public health
- Identify key concepts, definitions, and approaches used in the field
- Analyse the impact of dietary patterns on population health outcomes
- Discuss the importance of evidence-based research in nutrition policy and practice
Unit 2: Research Design and Methodology
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Describe different study designs used in nutritional epidemiology, including observational and experimental studies
- Apply principles of research methodology to nutrition studies
- Identify strengths, limitations, and potential biases in research designs
- Evaluate research studies for validity, reliability, and applicability to public health nutrition
Unit 3: Dietary Assessment Techniques
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Examine methods for assessing dietary intake in populations
- Evaluate tools such as food frequency questionnaires, 24-hour recalls, and dietary records
- Interpret dietary data for nutritional analysis and research purposes
- Assess the accuracy and reliability of different dietary assessment methods
Unit 4: Data Analysis and Interpretation
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Apply basic statistical methods to analyse nutritional and epidemiological data
- Interpret research findings to identify diet-disease relationships
- Evaluate data critically for evidence-based decision-making in public health
- Present analytical results clearly and accurately to support professional practice
Unit 5: Public Health Nutrition and Policy
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Explore the role of nutritional epidemiology in informing public health policy
- Analyse population health data to identify nutrition-related challenges
- Develop evidence-based recommendations to improve community health outcomes
- Assess the effectiveness of nutrition interventions and public health programmes
Unit 6: Professional Practice and Evidence-Based Nutritional Epidemiology
By the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Apply research findings to professional practice in nutrition and public health
- Understand ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities in nutritional research
- Communicate evidence-based nutritional information effectively to stakeholders
- Plan and engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain and enhance professional competence
The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology is designed for learners who wish to develop advanced skills and expertise in population-level nutrition research and public health. This course is particularly suitable for:
- Nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of nutritional epidemiology
- Public health practitioners involved in population health assessments, policy development, or nutrition interventions
- Researchers and data analysts working in nutrition, healthcare, or public health sectors
- Professionals aiming to apply evidence-based strategies to improve community nutrition and health outcomes
- Learners committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and enhancing their professional knowledge and skills
- Individuals seeking to advance career prospects in nutrition research, public health nutrition, or allied health fields
This course equips learners with research-based knowledge, analytical skills, and practical expertise to make meaningful contributions to public health nutrition and evidence-informed decision-making.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology 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 nutritional epidemiology, public health, or healthcare, capable of delivering evidence-based teaching.
- Comprehensive Learning Resources: Centres should provide learners with access to textbooks, digital learning materials, statistical and research tools, and assessment 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 research 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 research knowledge, analytical skills, and professional competence in nutritional epidemiology, preparing them for successful careers and evidence-based contributions to public health nutrition.
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.
