The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology and Research (PgD Nutritional Epidemiology and Research) is an advanced qualification designed for experienced professionals seeking to specialise in the study of nutrition within population health and research contexts. This programme is tailored for learners who already possess a strong foundation in nutrition, health sciences, or related disciplines and wish to enhance their career prospects, expand their expertise, and fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) objectives.
Learners will gain comprehensive knowledge of advanced epidemiological methods, statistical analysis, research design, and interpretation of nutrition-related data. The course equips learners with the skills to critically evaluate scientific literature, design and conduct research studies, and apply evidence-based findings to inform public health strategies and policy development.
LICQual ensures that all centres delivering this qualification uphold the highest quality standards. Centres are required to have fully qualified and competent staff, provide access to up-to-date learning materials, research tools, and digital resources, and maintain all necessary infrastructure to facilitate effective learning and assessment. This guarantees that learners receive professional, structured, and high-quality instruction, maximising their potential for academic and professional success.
This Level 7 diploma is ideal for healthcare practitioners, nutritionists, dietitians, researchers, and public health professionals who aspire to lead research projects, influence policy, and advance knowledge in the field of nutritional epidemiology. By completing this programme, learners will be well-prepared to make evidence-based contributions to nutrition science, public health, and research-driven practice.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology and Research (PgD Nutritional Epidemiology and Research)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2201115
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology and Research (PgD Nutritional Epidemiology and Research), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201115-1 |
Advanced Nutritional Epidemiology |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201115-2 |
Research Methodology in Nutrition Science |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201115-3 |
Biostatistics and Data Analysis |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201115-4 |
Public Health Nutrition and Policy Implications |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201115-5 |
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201115-6 |
Leadership, Ethics, and Professional Development in Nutrition Research |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Advanced Nutritional Epidemiology
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the relationships between diet, lifestyle, and health outcomes in populations
- Analyse various epidemiological study designs and their applications in nutrition research
- Assess risk factors and patterns of disease related to nutritional exposures
- Apply epidemiological principles to inform public health interventions and strategies
Unit 2: Research Methodology in Nutrition Science
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Design and plan rigorous research studies in nutritional science
- Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods effectively
- Address ethical considerations and regulatory requirements in research practice
- Demonstrate advanced skills in data collection, management, and reporting
Unit 3: Biostatistics and Data Analysis
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Apply appropriate statistical techniques to analyse nutritional and health data
- Interpret complex datasets to derive evidence-based conclusions
- Use statistical software to support research and decision-making
- Evaluate the reliability and validity of statistical findings in published research
Unit 4: Public Health Nutrition and Policy Implications
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the impact of nutrition on population health
- Analyse public health nutrition policies and intervention strategies
- Develop evidence-based recommendations to address health inequalities
- Apply nutritional epidemiology findings to inform policy and programme development
Unit 5: Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically appraise peer-reviewed research in nutrition and public health
- Identify study limitations, biases, and methodological strengths
- Integrate evidence from multiple sources to inform professional practice
- Apply critical appraisal skills to support evidence-based decision-making
Unit 6: Leadership, Ethics, and Professional Development in Nutrition Research
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Apply ethical principles and professional standards in nutritional research
- Demonstrate leadership and project management skills in research and public health initiatives
- Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams
- Develop a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan to enhance career progression and professional competence
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology and Research is designed for experienced professionals who wish to specialise in population health, nutritional research, and evidence-based practice. This course is particularly suitable for:
- Nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare professionals seeking advanced knowledge in nutritional epidemiology
- Public health practitioners aiming to influence health policy and improve population nutrition
- Researchers and academic professionals wishing to enhance their research design, data analysis, and critical appraisal skills
- Clinical practitioners interested in applying evidence-based nutritional interventions in community or hospital settings
- Professionals committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and seeking career advancement in research, policy, or public health nutrition
- Individuals aspiring to lead research projects, contribute to scientific publications, and shape health strategies through evidence-based findings
This programme is ideal for learners who already possess foundational knowledge in nutrition, health sciences, or related disciplines and are motivated to apply advanced research and analytical skills in professional practice.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology and Research must meet stringent standards to ensure learners receive high-quality education and achieve academic success. The key requirements include:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ trainers and assessors with relevant postgraduate qualifications and professional experience in nutrition, public health, or research. Staff should be capable of delivering advanced-level content and supporting learners in both academic and research-focused contexts.
- Comprehensive Learning Resources: Centres should provide access to up-to-date textbooks, scientific journals, research databases, statistical software, and other essential learning materials to support research and evidence-based practice.
- Appropriate Facilities: Classrooms, laboratories, or online learning platforms must be equipped to facilitate advanced teaching, interactive learning, and practical research activities.
- Assessment and Learner Support Systems: Centres should have structured processes for monitoring learner progress, providing constructive feedback, and offering academic and pastoral support to ensure learner achievement.
- Commitment to Quality Assurance: Centres must maintain robust quality management systems to uphold high standards in course delivery, assessment, and learner experience.
- CPD and Professional Development Support: Centres are expected to foster Continuing Professional Development for both learners and staff, ensuring ongoing professional excellence in research and public health nutrition.
By adhering to these requirements, centres ensure that learners benefit from a professional, structured, and high-quality learning environment, fully preparing them to conduct advanced nutritional research and apply evidence-based insights in public health and 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.
