The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Pharmacology (PgD Nutritional Pharmacology) is a highly advanced qualification designed specifically for experienced professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in the complex field of nutritional pharmacology. This programme is not intended for fresh entrants but for learners who are already established in their careers and wish to enhance their professional knowledge, expand their practical skills, and further their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
This Level 7 postgraduate diploma offers a comprehensive exploration of the interaction between nutrition and pharmacological processes, equipping learners with the critical understanding required to apply evidence-based approaches in clinical, research, and health-focused settings. Through this qualification, learners will gain the advanced analytical skills and specialised knowledge necessary to evaluate the impact of nutrients on drug metabolism, optimise therapeutic outcomes, and contribute to innovative healthcare solutions.
Centres delivering this prestigious qualification are required to maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning. They must employ competent and qualified staff and provide all essential resources and materials to ensure learners receive an exceptional educational experience. This ensures that each learner is fully supported in achieving their learning objectives and maximising the professional value of their qualification.
By completing the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Pharmacology, learners can expect to advance their career prospects, gain recognized professional credibility, and become leaders in the specialized field of nutritional pharmacology. This qualification represents a significant step forward for professionals committed to lifelong learning and the advancement of evidence-based practice in health and nutrition.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Pharmacology (PgD Nutritional Pharmacology)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2201116
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Pharmacology (PgD Nutritional Pharmacology)), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201116-1 |
Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201116-2 |
Nutrient-Drug Interactions and Therapeutics |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201116-3 |
Advanced Clinical Nutrition and Pharmacology |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201116-4 |
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Nutritional Pharmacology |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201116-5 |
Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Pharmacological Implications |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201116-6 |
Advanced Professional Practice and Continuing Development |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically analyse the biochemical and molecular functions of macronutrients and micronutrients in human metabolism
- Evaluate the role of nutrients in cellular processes, enzyme activity, and metabolic regulation
- Assess the interaction between dietary components and pharmacological agents at the molecular level
Unit 2: Nutrient-Drug Interactions and Therapeutics
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Examine how nutrients influence drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)
- Analyse the clinical significance of nutrient-drug interactions in patient care
- Develop strategies to optimise therapeutic outcomes through integrated nutritional and pharmacological approaches
Unit 3: Advanced Clinical Nutrition and Pharmacology
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Apply principles of nutritional pharmacology in the prevention and management of disease
- Critically evaluate research evidence on nutritional interventions in various clinical conditions
- Formulate evidence-based recommendations for nutritional and pharmacological care in professional practice
Unit 4: Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Nutritional Pharmacology
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Design and implement advanced research projects in nutritional pharmacology
- Analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data from clinical and laboratory studies
- Critically appraise scientific literature to inform evidence-based decision-making and professional practice
Unit 5: Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Pharmacological Implications
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Examine the pharmacological mechanisms and health effects of bioactive compounds in functional foods and nutraceuticals
- Evaluate the efficacy, safety, and regulatory considerations of nutraceutical interventions
- Integrate knowledge of functional foods into strategies for health promotion and disease management
Unit 6: Advanced Professional Practice and Continuing Development
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Analyse ethical, legal, and professional standards relevant to nutritional pharmacology practice
- Develop strategies for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and lifelong learning
- Demonstrate leadership, decision-making, and advanced professional skills in clinical, research, and public health contexts
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Pharmacology is specifically designed for experienced professionals who wish to advance their expertise and career in the fields of nutrition, healthcare, and pharmacology. This course is ideal for learners who:
- Are registered healthcare practitioners, nutritionists, dietitians, or pharmacists seeking advanced knowledge in nutritional pharmacology
- Work in clinical, research, or public health settings and wish to apply evidence-based nutritional strategies to patient care
- Are involved in the development, evaluation, or regulation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, or pharmacological interventions
- Want to enhance their professional credibility and leadership skills within healthcare or nutrition-focused organisations
- Are committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and wish to maintain up-to-date expertise in advanced nutritional pharmacology
- Seek to expand career opportunities in specialised areas such as clinical nutrition, pharmacology research, or health consultancy
This qualification is tailored for professionals who already have a strong foundation in health sciences or nutrition and are ready to take the next step in their career, developing specialized knowledge that can be applied immediately in professional practice.
To ensure high-quality delivery and learner success, centres offering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Pharmacology must meet the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ instructors who are highly qualified in nutrition, pharmacology, healthcare, or related disciplines. Staff should have significant professional experience and a proven ability to deliver advanced, Level 7 content effectively.
- Adequate Learning Resources: Centres must provide learners with access to comprehensive study materials, including textbooks, scientific journals, online databases, and any specialised resources necessary for research and practical application.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Centres should ensure that teaching environments, laboratories, and practical spaces are fully equipped to support advanced learning and research activities.
- Robust Assessment and Support Systems: Centres must have reliable assessment procedures, academic support, and guidance to monitor learner progress, provide feedback, and facilitate successful course completion.
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development: Centres should actively promote CPD opportunities, encouraging learners and staff to stay updated with the latest developments in nutritional pharmacology and healthcare practice.
- Compliance with Quality Standards: Centres must adhere to LICQual quality assurance policies and maintain high standards of teaching, learning, and administration to safeguard learner experience and outcomes.
By meeting these requirements, centres can ensure that learners receive a premium educational experience, fully supported throughout their postgraduate study, and equipped to apply advanced knowledge in professional practice.
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.
