The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Counseling (PgD Nutritional Counseling) is an advanced qualification designed for experienced professionals seeking to specialise in providing evidence-based nutritional guidance and support. This postgraduate diploma is not intended for fresh entrants; it is aimed at practitioners, healthcare professionals, and wellness experts who wish to enhance their career prospects, expand their scientific knowledge, and further their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Learners undertaking this programme will develop advanced skills in nutritional assessment, personalised dietary planning, and client-centred counselling techniques. The curriculum integrates scientific theory with practical application, enabling learners to critically evaluate emerging research, apply behavioural change strategies, and support clients in achieving long-term health and wellness goals.
LICQual ensures that centres delivering this qualification maintain the highest standards of training excellence. Centres must have competent, qualified staff and provide learners with access to all necessary resources, including up-to-date scientific literature, research databases, and practical facilities, to ensure effective learning and learner success.
Completing the PgD in Nutritional Counseling equips learners with the expertise, professional credibility, and practical skills required to make a meaningful impact in clinical practice, wellness consultancy, or research. This qualification represents a strategic step for professionals committed to lifelong learning, career advancement, and achieving excellence in nutritional counselling and client-centred healthcare.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Counseling (PgD Nutritional Counseling)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2201107
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Counseling (PgD Nutritional Counseling), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201107-1 |
Advanced Nutritional Science and Physiology |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201107-2 |
Principles of Nutritional Counselling |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201107-3 |
Clinical Nutrition and Specialized Diets |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201107-4 |
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Nutritional Counselling |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201107-5 |
Ethics, Professional Practice, and Regulatory Frameworks |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201107-6 |
Applied Nutritional Counselling Project |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Advanced Nutritional Science and Physiology
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically analyse the role of macro- and micronutrients in human health and disease prevention
- Evaluate the impact of nutrition on physiological and metabolic processes
- Apply advanced nutritional science knowledge to clinical and counselling practice
Unit 2: Principles of Nutritional Counselling
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced skills in nutritional assessment and client-centred communication
- Apply counselling frameworks such as motivational interviewing and behaviour change models
- Develop personalised nutrition strategies that support long-term lifestyle and wellness goals
Unit 3: Clinical Nutrition and Specialised Diets
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Assess nutritional requirements for different populations, including those with chronic illnesses, paediatric needs, or maternal health considerations
- Design and implement evidence-based dietary interventions tailored to individual clinical needs
- Critically evaluate clinical outcomes of specialised nutrition interventions
Unit 4: Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Nutritional Counselling
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of research methodologies, statistical tools, and clinical trial design
- Critically appraise scientific literature to inform nutritional counselling practice
- Apply evidence-based principles to design, deliver, and evaluate nutrition interventions
Unit 5: Ethics, Professional Practice, and Regulatory Frameworks
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically assess ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities in nutritional counselling
- Apply principles of confidentiality, consent, and safeguarding in client care
- Demonstrate professional accountability and adherence to regulatory standards in practice
Unit 6: Applied Nutritional Counselling Project
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Plan, conduct, and evaluate a research or practice-based project in nutritional counselling
- Apply advanced theoretical knowledge to real-world client cases and professional practice scenarios
- Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional communication in presenting project outcomes
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Counseling (PgD Nutritional Counseling) is perfect for healthcare professionals, dietitians, nutritionists, and wellness practitioners seeking advanced knowledge and practical skills in nutritional counseling. This course is designed for those aiming to enhance their career, improve client outcomes, and specialize in evidence-based nutritional guidance.
Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Qualified dietitians looking to specialize in nutritional counseling
• Nutritionists seeking to enhance client-focused dietary strategies
• Professionals involved in personalized meal planning and assessment
• Graduates aiming for internationally recognized Level 7 qualification
• Practitioners seeking advanced counseling and behavior change skills
• Individuals aiming to improve professional credibility in nutrition
Healthcare and Medical Professionals
• Nurses working with patients requiring dietary guidance
• Allied health professionals supporting lifestyle and wellness interventions
• Doctors interested in integrating nutrition into patient care
• Healthcare staff managing chronic diseases through diet
• Professionals aiming to improve patient adherence and outcomes
• Medical practitioners seeking evidence-based nutrition skills
Wellness and Fitness Practitioners
• Personal trainers looking to integrate nutrition counseling
• Fitness coaches supporting clients’ health and weight management
• Health coaches working with dietary behavior change
• Professionals aiming to enhance holistic wellness programs
• Practitioners designing personalized nutrition and lifestyle plans
• Individuals targeting specialized nutrition guidance roles
Public Health and Community Professionals
• Public health workers promoting healthy eating initiatives
• NGO staff supporting nutrition awareness programs
• Community health practitioners addressing dietary-related health issues
• Program coordinators implementing nutrition interventions
• Professionals working in population-level health and wellness projects
• Individuals contributing to public health nutrition education
Graduates Seeking Postgraduate Specialization
• Health science or nutrition graduates pursuing advanced study
• Graduates preparing for careers in counseling or clinical nutrition
• Individuals aiming for Level 7 qualification for career growth
• Professionals transitioning into specialized nutrition roles
• Students seeking evidence-based, practical skill development
• Learners targeting international recognition and career mobility
Educators, Trainers, and Policy Professionals
• Health educators teaching nutrition and wellness topics
• Trainers delivering client-focused nutritional counseling programs
• Policy makers designing nutrition education frameworks
• Academic staff seeking subject-specific specialization
• Professionals developing educational content for health programs
• Advisors supporting evidence-based nutrition initiatives
Career Changers and International Learners
• Professionals transitioning into nutrition and counseling careers
• Individuals seeking flexible, globally recognized Level 7 qualifications
• Learners aiming to work in clinical, wellness, or public health settings
• Professionals targeting career advancement and skill specialization
• Individuals committed to evidence-based nutritional counseling practice
• Learners aspiring to positively impact client health and wellbeing
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Counseling must meet strict requirements to ensure high-quality training and learner success. These requirements are designed to guarantee that learners receive professional guidance, access to appropriate resources, and a supportive academic environment.
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ trainers and educators with advanced academic qualifications and professional expertise in nutrition, dietetics, counselling, or healthcare to deliver high-quality teaching.
- Access to Learning Resources: Centres should provide learners with access to current research journals, scientific literature, digital platforms, and counselling tools necessary for advanced study and practical application.
- Practical and Applied Learning Facilities: Centres offering practical elements must ensure access to appropriate facilities where learners can develop and apply counselling techniques in simulated or real client scenarios.
- Ethical and Regulatory Compliance: Centres must follow ethical, legal, and professional standards, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection, when delivering the qualification.
- Supportive Learning Environment: Centres are expected to offer mentoring, structured guidance, and academic support that enable learners to engage with complex concepts and progress effectively through the programme.
- Assessment and Evaluation Systems: Centres must establish robust frameworks for assessment, including research projects, written assignments, and applied case studies, aligned with Level 7 academic and professional standards.
By meeting these requirements, centres ensure that learners gain advanced knowledge, practical skills, and professional credibility in nutritional counselling, leading to successful completion of the qualification and enhanced career opportunities.
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.
