The LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (Dip CN) is an advanced qualification designed for healthcare professionals, nutritionists, dietitians, and allied health practitioners who wish to enhance their knowledge and expertise in clinical nutrition. This diploma provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the role of nutrition in disease prevention, health promotion, and the management of complex medical conditions.
This programme is not intended for fresh candidates. It is specifically tailored for professionals who already have relevant experience in healthcare or nutrition and are seeking to advance their careers, expand their clinical skills, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Learners will explore the application of evidence-based nutritional strategies, the assessment of dietary needs, and the integration of nutrition therapy in clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
The course covers key areas including metabolic disorders, nutritional assessment, therapeutic diets, clinical interventions, and the latest research in nutritional science. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, learners will develop the ability to make informed clinical decisions and provide personalised nutritional guidance for diverse patient populations.
Centres delivering this qualification must ensure they have highly qualified and experienced staff, along with access to suitable learning materials, clinical resources, and structured support systems. This ensures a high-quality learning experience, enabling learners to achieve academic success while developing the professional skills required to excel in clinical nutrition.
By completing the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Nutrition, learners will gain advanced competence in nutrition science, clinical decision-making, and patient-centred care, equipping them to make a meaningful impact in healthcare settings and advance their professional practice.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (Dip CN)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
480
Qualification #
LICQ2200944
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (Dip CN), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200944-1 |
Foundations of Clinical Nutrition |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200944-2 |
Nutritional Assessment and Evaluation |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200944-3 |
Clinical Management of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200944-4 |
Therapeutic Nutrition and Dietary Interventions |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200944-5 |
Public Health Nutrition and Policy |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200944-6 |
Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Professional Development |
20 |
80 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Foundations of Clinical Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically analyse the principles of human nutrition and nutrient metabolism.
- Evaluate the role of macro- and micronutrients in maintaining health and preventing disease.
- Interpret global nutrition guidelines and standards for clinical application.
- Assess the impact of nutritional imbalances on physiological and pathological processes.
Unit 2: Nutritional Assessment and Evaluation
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments using anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary tools.
- Interpret and analyse nutritional data to identify deficiencies or imbalances.
- Apply evidence-based methods to assess nutritional status in diverse patient populations.
- Formulate recommendations based on accurate evaluation of nutritional requirements.
Unit 3: Clinical Management of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Analyse the relationship between nutrition and metabolic or chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions.
- Develop personalised nutrition care plans to manage chronic conditions effectively.
- Evaluate dietary interventions to improve patient outcomes and prevent disease progression.
- Apply clinical reasoning to assess and modify nutrition strategies for individual patients.
Unit 4: Therapeutic Nutrition and Dietary Interventions
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Design and implement therapeutic diets for gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, and endocrine disorders.
- Assess the use of specialised nutrition support, including enteral and parenteral feeding.
- Critically evaluate clinical case studies to inform dietary decision-making.
- Apply evidence-based interventions to support patient recovery and health maintenance.
Unit 5: Public Health Nutrition and Policy
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically analyse the role of nutrition in public health initiatives and disease prevention strategies.
- Evaluate nutrition policies, guidelines, and global health programmes.
- Design interventions aimed at improving population nutritional outcomes.
- Assess the impact of public health nutrition strategies on community and population health.
Unit 6: Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Professional Development
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Apply research methodology and critical appraisal skills to clinical nutrition studies.
- Integrate evidence-based findings into clinical decision-making and practice.
- Demonstrate reflective practice and commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Develop strategies for professional growth and innovation in clinical nutrition practice.
The LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (Dip CN) is designed for healthcare professionals, dietitians, nutritionists, and medical practitioners who want to enhance their expertise in clinical nutrition and therapeutic diet management. This Level 6 qualification is ideal for those seeking advanced knowledge to improve patient outcomes, expand career opportunities, and gain internationally recognized credentials. Whether you work in hospitals, clinics, private practice, or community health, this diploma equips you with the skills and confidence to excel in nutrition-focused healthcare roles.
Doctors and Medical Practitioners
- Designed for physicians aiming to specialize in clinical nutrition and metabolic health.
- Enhances knowledge of diet-related diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders.
- Improves ability to assess nutritional needs and develop personalized diet plans.
- Strengthens evidence-based clinical decision-making in nutrition therapy.
- Supports career progression with an internationally recognized qualification.
Dietitians and Nutritionists
- Perfect for dietitians seeking advanced clinical training in nutrition therapy.
- Builds skills in therapeutic diet planning and patient-centered care.
- Improves understanding of nutrition science and metabolic health management.
- Promotes leadership roles in clinical and hospital-based nutrition services.
- Encourages application of research-backed nutrition practices in daily work.
Nurses and Healthcare Practitioners
- Ideal for nurses and allied health professionals working with nutrition-related conditions.
- Enhances patient assessment and nutrition care planning.
- Builds confidence in managing chronic illnesses impacted by diet.
- Develops knowledge of specialized nutrition interventions in clinical settings.
- Supports continuing professional development (CPD) goals.
Medical Students and Postgraduate Trainees
- Suitable for graduates pursuing specialization in nutrition or dietetics.
- Provides a strong foundation in clinical nutrition and metabolic physiology.
- Enhances research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Strengthens understanding of diet-disease relationships.
- Prepares learners for postgraduate study or clinical residency programs.
Healthcare Managers and Administrators
- Designed for managers overseeing clinical nutrition or dietary services.
- Improves knowledge of nutrition program planning and healthcare delivery.
- Supports effective implementation of hospital or community nutrition initiatives.
- Strengthens leadership and operational management skills.
- Enhances ability to evaluate outcomes of nutrition services.
Public Health and Community Nutrition Professionals
- Focused on professionals working in public health or community nutrition programs.
- Builds expertise in population-level nutrition interventions.
- Enhances ability to design preventive nutrition programs and awareness campaigns.
- Promotes understanding of public health nutrition policies and guidelines.
- Strengthens skills for monitoring and evaluating community nutrition outcomes.
International Healthcare Professionals
- Ideal for global learners seeking a UK-recognized clinical nutrition qualification.
- Provides flexible online learning for professionals worldwide.
- Equips learners with skills to work in hospitals, clinics, or private practice globally.
- Enhances credibility and competitiveness in international healthcare settings.
- Supports career growth in clinical nutrition, dietetics, and metabolic health.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (Dip CN) must adhere to high standards to ensure learners receive professional, evidence-based, and practical training in line with international best practices. The following requirements are essential for centres to provide a high-quality learning environment:
- Qualified and Experienced Staff
Tutors, trainers, and assessors must possess recognised qualifications and professional experience in clinical nutrition, dietetics, or related healthcare fields. Staff should demonstrate competence in teaching and assessing at Level 6 or higher. - Access to Comprehensive Learning Resources
Centres must provide learners with up-to-date textbooks, journals, case studies, e-libraries, and online learning platforms to support in-depth study and research. - Clinical and Practical Facilities
Where applicable, centres should have access to clinical environments, laboratories, or partnerships with healthcare institutions to provide learners with hands-on experience in nutrition assessment and intervention. - Effective Quality Assurance Systems
Robust internal quality assurance (IQA) processes must be in place to ensure consistent assessment, fairness, and adherence to international training standards. - Learner Support and Guidance
Centres should offer academic mentoring, administrative support, and structured guidance to ensure learners achieve their full potential throughout the programme. - Technology and Digital Infrastructure
Centres must provide access to reliable digital tools, online classrooms, and blended learning platforms to facilitate flexible learning and engagement.
By meeting these requirements, centres can deliver a high-quality educational experience that equips learners with advanced knowledge, practical skills, and professional competence in clinical nutrition, preparing them for leadership roles and improved patient 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.
