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 PgD in Nutritional Counseling is designed for experienced professionals who want to expand their expertise in advanced nutritional assessment, counselling, and evidence-based dietary interventions. This programme is not suitable for beginners; it is aimed at learners with relevant academic and professional backgrounds.
This course is ideal for:
- Registered nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare professionals seeking to specialize in personalized nutrition and client-centred counselling
- Wellness consultants, lifestyle coaches, and health practitioners who wish to integrate advanced nutritional counselling techniques into their services
- Clinical researchers and scientists focused on nutrition, behavioral change, and health promotion
- Medical and allied health professionals looking to strengthen their ability to manage patient health through evidence-based nutrition strategies
- Professionals committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and aiming to progress their careers in healthcare, nutrition, or wellness consultancy
- Learners with a relevant background in nutrition, dietetics, psychology, or healthcare who are prepared for advanced study and application in practice
Enrolling in this programme provides learners with the skills, confidence, and professional credibility to deliver effective nutritional counselling, support long-term lifestyle changes, and contribute to improved health outcomes in diverse populations.
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.
