The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Community Nutrition (PgD Community Nutrition) is a specialized qualification designed for professionals who aspire to lead, influence, and contribute to the improvement of nutrition and health at community and population levels. This programme provides learners with the advanced knowledge and skills required to design, implement, and evaluate nutrition initiatives that address public health concerns and promote sustainable dietary behaviors.
This qualification is not intended for fresh candidates. Instead, it is tailored for experienced professionals who wish to expand their career opportunities, enhance their expertise, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Learners will develop a deep understanding of community-based nutrition interventions, food policy, behavioural change strategies, and the wider determinants of health. The course also emphasises evidence-based practice, enabling learners to critically assess nutritional challenges and propose effective solutions that improve long-term health outcomes.
Centres delivering this diploma must demonstrate a strong commitment to quality education. They are required to employ competent and qualified staff with relevant expertise and ensure access to essential learning materials, research tools, and supportive resources. A robust academic environment and effective learner support are crucial to achieving excellence and ensuring success in this field.
By completing this programme, learners will be well-prepared to take on leadership roles in nutrition, healthcare, public health, and community development, making a meaningful impact on health promotion and disease prevention at local, national, and global levels.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Community Nutrition (PgD Community Nutrition)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2201100
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Community Nutrition (PgD Community Nutrition) , applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201100-1 |
Principles and Foundations of Community Nutrition |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201100-2 |
Nutritional Assessment and Health Surveillance in Communities |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201100-3 |
Food Security, Sustainability, and Nutrition Interventions |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201100-4 |
Behaviour Change Communication and Community Engagement |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201100-5 |
Public Health Policy and Programme Development in Nutrition |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201100-6 |
Professional Practice, Ethics, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Community Nutrition |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles and Foundations of Community Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the theoretical foundations of community nutrition.
- Analyse the impact of cultural, social, and economic factors on dietary behaviour.
- Apply community nutrition frameworks to address health inequalities.
Unit 2: Nutritional Assessment and Health Surveillance in Communities
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Conduct advanced community-based nutritional assessments and dietary surveys.
- Interpret epidemiological data to identify nutrition-related health challenges.
- Design and apply health surveillance methods to monitor community nutrition outcomes.
Unit 3: Food Security, Sustainability, and Nutrition Interventions
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Assess issues of food security and their impact on community health.
- Develop sustainable nutrition interventions to address local and global challenges.
- Critically evaluate strategies for promoting equitable access to nutritious food.
Unit 4: Behaviour Change Communication and Community Engagement
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Apply behaviour change models to influence dietary practices within communities.
- Design and implement effective communication strategies for nutrition education.
- Engage communities through participatory approaches to achieve sustainable health outcomes.
Unit 5: Public Health Policy and Programme Development in Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Evaluate the role of nutrition evidence in shaping public health policy.
- Plan, implement, and critically assess community-based nutrition programmes.
- Recommend evidence-based policy interventions to address public health nutrition priorities.
Unit 6: Professional Practice, Ethics, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Community Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional and ethical awareness in community nutrition practice.
- Apply reflective practice to improve professional performance and learner outcomes.
- Show commitment to lifelong learning and CPD within the field of community nutrition.
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Community Nutrition is designed for professionals who wish to advance their careers, expand their expertise, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This programme is not suitable for fresh candidates but is tailored for individuals with prior academic and professional experience in nutrition, health, or related fields.
This course is particularly suitable for:
- Nutritionists and Dietitians who want to specialise in designing and implementing community-based nutrition programmes.
- Public Health Professionals aiming to integrate nutrition into health promotion, disease prevention, and policy development.
- Healthcare Practitioners such as doctors, nurses, and allied health workers seeking to enhance their role in nutrition-focused interventions.
- Community Development Specialists who want to address issues such as food security, malnutrition, and sustainable health initiatives.
- Researchers and Academics interested in advancing the evidence base of community nutrition and public health.
- Policy Makers and Programme Managers working in governmental, non-governmental, or international organisations focused on nutrition and health outcomes.
- Experienced Professionals in Related Fields who are committed to CPD and want to strengthen their qualifications to support community health initiatives.
By enrolling in this diploma, learners will be equipped to lead nutrition projects, influence policy, and contribute to meaningful improvements in public health and community wellbeing at local, national, and global levels.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Community Nutrition must meet high-quality standards to ensure effective training delivery, assessment, and learner success. To be approved, centres are required to demonstrate the following:
- Qualified and Experienced Staff:
Tutors, trainers, and assessors must hold relevant academic and professional qualifications in nutrition, dietetics, public health, or community health. They should also have substantial industry or academic experience and maintain up-to-date knowledge through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). - Access to Learning Resources:
Centres must provide learners with access to current textbooks, research journals, community nutrition case studies, and online learning platforms. Resources should also include digital tools for nutrition assessment and programme design. - Facilities and Infrastructure:
Centres must offer suitable classrooms, seminar spaces, and online learning environments. Facilities should support both theoretical learning and applied practice in community nutrition. - Assessment and Quality Assurance:
Robust systems for assessment, internal verification, and quality assurance must be in place. Assessors should be trained to evaluate postgraduate-level knowledge and professional skills accurately. - Learner Support Services:
Centres must provide academic guidance, research support, and career development services. Learners studying through blended or distance learning should also have access to responsive online support. - Commitment to Inclusivity and Ethics:
Centres must uphold ethical standards, inclusivity, and fairness in all teaching, learning, and assessment activities to ensure equal opportunities for every learner.
By fulfilling these requirements, centres will deliver a structured and high-quality learning experience that equips learners with the skills and confidence to make a lasting impact in community 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.
