The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Nutrition (PgD Maternal and Child Nutrition) is an advanced qualification designed for experienced professionals seeking to specialize in the nutrition and health of mothers, infants, and children. This postgraduate diploma is not intended for fresh entrants; it is aimed at practitioners, researchers, and healthcare professionals who wish to enhance their career prospects, deepen their scientific knowledge, and further their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Learners undertaking this programme will explore the complex nutritional requirements across pregnancy, lactation, infancy, and childhood, gaining the skills to assess, plan, and implement evidence-based nutritional interventions. The curriculum integrates advanced scientific theory with practical application, enabling learners to critically evaluate emerging research, develop personalised nutrition strategies, and contribute to improved maternal and child health outcomes.
LICQual ensures that centres delivering this qualification maintain the highest standards of training excellence. Centres must have competent, qualified staff and provide access to all necessary resources, including up-to-date scientific literature, research databases, and practical facilities, to support effective learning and learner success.
Completing the PgD in Maternal and Child Nutrition equips learners with the expertise and professional credibility to make a significant impact in clinical practice, research, consultancy, or public health initiatives. This qualification represents a strategic step for professionals committed to lifelong learning, career progression, and achieving excellence in maternal and child healthcare and nutrition.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Nutrition (PgD Maternal and Child Nutrition)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2201105
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontological Nutrition (PgD Gerontological Nutrition) , applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201105-1 |
Advanced Maternal Physiology and Nutrition |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201105-2 |
Infant and Child Growth and Development |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201105-3 |
Clinical Nutrition and Maternal-Child Health |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201105-4 |
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Maternal and Child Nutrition |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201105-5 |
Ethics, Regulation, and Professional Practice in Maternal and Child Nutrition |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201105-6 |
Applied Maternal and Child Nutrition Project |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Advanced Maternal Physiology and Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically analyse physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation and their impact on nutritional needs
- Evaluate macro- and micronutrient requirements for optimal maternal and foetal health
- Assess dietary interventions to support positive pregnancy and lactation outcomes
Unit 2: Infant and Child Growth and Development
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Examine principles of growth, development, and nutritional requirements in infancy and early childhood
- Assess strategies to prevent malnutrition and support cognitive and physical development
- Critically appraise evidence-based approaches for monitoring and promoting child health
Unit 3: Clinical Nutrition and Maternal-Child Health
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Analyse the role of nutrition in preventing and managing maternal and child health conditions
- Develop evidence-based intervention strategies for conditions such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, anaemia, and paediatric nutritional deficiencies
- Apply clinical nutrition principles to improve health outcomes across maternal and child populations
Unit 4: Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Maternal and Child Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of research design, statistical analysis, and critical appraisal methods
- Interpret and evaluate clinical and epidemiological research relevant to maternal and child nutrition
- Apply evidence-based practice principles to develop and evaluate nutritional interventions
Unit 5: Ethics, Regulation, and Professional Practice in Maternal and Child Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically assess ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations in maternal and child nutrition practice
- Apply professional standards to ensure safe, effective, and ethical practice
- Demonstrate understanding of consent, safeguarding, and professional responsibility in clinical and community settings
Unit 6: Applied Maternal and Child Nutrition Project
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Plan, implement, and critically evaluate a research or clinical project focused on maternal and child populations
- Apply theoretical knowledge to practical case studies and real-world scenarios
- Demonstrate advanced problem-solving, analytical thinking, and professional communication skills in project delivery
This advanced postgraduate diploma is designed for professionals seeking to specialise in maternal and child nutrition and enhance their expertise in supporting the health of mothers, infants, and children. Learners who should consider enrolling include:
- Registered nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare practitioners looking to develop advanced skills in maternal and child nutrition
- Clinical researchers and scientists focused on maternal, infant, and child health and nutrition studies
- Medical and allied health professionals aiming to apply evidence-based nutritional strategies to improve maternal and child health outcomes
- Consultants, public health professionals, and wellness practitioners who wish to integrate advanced nutrition knowledge into their services
- Professionals committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and seeking to progress their careers in healthcare, nutrition, or research sectors
- Individuals with prior experience and qualifications in nutrition, healthcare, or related fields who are ready to engage with advanced scientific and clinical concepts
This course is not suitable for beginners; it is intended for learners with relevant professional experience and prior academic qualifications who are prepared to tackle advanced content and apply it in practice.
To ensure high-quality delivery and learner success, centres offering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Nutrition must meet the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ educators and trainers with advanced qualifications and proven expertise in maternal and child nutrition, clinical nutrition, or related healthcare fields to provide professional, evidence-based instruction.
- Access to Learning Resources: Centres must provide learners with access to up-to-date scientific literature, journals, research databases, and digital learning platforms to support study, research, and assignment completion.
- Practical and Clinical Facilities: For programmes including practical components, centres must have access to appropriate clinical or laboratory facilities where learners can safely apply theoretical knowledge and research skills.
- Ethical and Regulatory Compliance: Centres must comply with all relevant ethical, legal, and data protection standards, particularly when handling sensitive clinical or personal information.
- Supportive Learning Environment: Centres should offer structured guidance, mentoring, and feedback to support learners’ progression, critical thinking, and application of advanced knowledge.
- Assessment and Evaluation Systems: Centres must implement robust assessment and evaluation frameworks, including research projects, assignments, and practical assessments, aligned with Level 7 academic standards.
Meeting these requirements ensures learners receive a high-quality, professional, and fully supported educational experience, enabling them to successfully complete the diploma and advance their careers in maternal and child nutrition and related healthcare sectors.
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.
