The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology (PgD Nutritional Epidemiology) is a specialized qualification designed for experienced professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in the intersection of nutrition, health, and population studies. This advanced diploma equips learners with the skills to critically analyse dietary patterns, evaluate the role of nutrition in disease prevention, and apply epidemiological methods to address pressing public health challenges.
Unlike entry-level qualifications, this postgraduate diploma is not intended for fresh candidates. It has been specifically developed for professionals who wish to enhance their career prospects, broaden their knowledge, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Learners will develop advanced competencies in statistical analysis, research methodologies, and evidence-based approaches that are essential for leadership roles in healthcare, nutrition policy, academia, and applied research.
Centres delivering this programme must ensure the highest standards of training delivery. This includes employing competent and qualified staff with relevant academic and professional expertise, as well as providing access to up-to-date learning resources, research tools, and supportive environments that promote critical inquiry and innovation. With strong academic guidance and the right infrastructure, learners will be able to achieve excellence in the specialised field of nutritional epidemiology.
By undertaking this diploma, professionals can position themselves at the forefront of public health nutrition and research, playing a vital role in shaping strategies that improve health outcomes at both community and population levels.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology (PgD Nutritional Epidemiology)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2201099
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology (PgD Nutritional Epidemiology) , applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201099-1 |
Principles of Nutritional Epidemiology |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201099-2 |
Research Methods and Statistical Analysis in Nutrition |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201099-3 |
Diet, Lifestyle, and Non-Communicable Diseases |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201099-4 |
Public Health Nutrition and Policy Development |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201099-5 |
Advanced Topics in Global Nutrition and Epidemiology |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2201099-6 |
Professional Practice, Ethics, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Nutritional Epidemiology |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles of Nutritional Epidemiology
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the role of nutritional epidemiology in public health and clinical research.
- Analyse the relationship between dietary intake, nutrition status, and disease outcomes.
- Apply epidemiological concepts to assess the impact of nutrition on population health.
Unit 2: Research Methods and Statistical Analysis in Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Design, plan, and evaluate research projects in nutritional epidemiology.
- Apply advanced statistical techniques to analyse nutritional data sets.
- Interpret complex research findings to support evidence-based decision-making.
Unit 3: Diet, Lifestyle, and Non-Communicable Diseases
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Examine the role of diet and lifestyle in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases.
- Assess risk factors and develop intervention strategies to address nutrition-related health conditions.
- Critically appraise scientific evidence linking dietary behaviours to long-term health outcomes.
Unit 4: Public Health Nutrition and Policy Development
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Evaluate how nutritional epidemiology informs public health policy and nutrition guidelines.
- Assess the effectiveness of nutrition interventions and programmes at population level.
- Recommend evidence-based strategies for improving dietary behaviours through policy and community initiatives.
Unit 5: Advanced Topics in Global Nutrition and Epidemiology
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Analyse the global challenges of undernutrition, overnutrition, and food insecurity.
- Examine the epidemiology of micronutrient deficiencies and their health implications.
- Critically assess policies and strategies aimed at tackling the double burden of malnutrition worldwide.
Unit 6: Professional Practice, Ethics, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Nutritional Epidemiology
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical awareness in nutritional research and professional practice.
- Apply reflective practice to enhance professional growth and effectiveness.
- Show commitment to lifelong learning and CPD within the field of nutritional epidemiology.
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology is designed for experienced professionals who wish to advance their knowledge, strengthen their expertise, and expand their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This programme is not intended for fresh candidates but is ideal for professionals who want to take their careers to the next level in nutrition, health, and research.
This course is particularly suitable for:
- Nutritionists and Dietitians seeking to specialise in research-based approaches to diet and health.
- Public Health Professionals who want to apply nutritional epidemiology to policy development and population health strategies.
- Medical Doctors and Healthcare Practitioners aiming to integrate advanced nutritional data into clinical decision-making.
- Researchers and Academics focusing on nutrition, health outcomes, and epidemiological studies.
- Policy Makers and Health Programme Managers responsible for developing evidence-based nutrition policies and interventions.
- Professionals in Global Health and Development working on issues such as undernutrition, food insecurity, and non-communicable diseases.
- Experienced Practitioners in Related Fields who wish to enhance their qualifications and pursue CPD opportunities.
Enrolling in this postgraduate diploma will empower learners to play a vital role in shaping nutrition research, developing evidence-based health policies, and contributing to improved population health outcomes at both local and global levels.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Epidemiology must uphold the highest standards of training, assessment, and learner support to ensure quality outcomes. To offer this qualification effectively, centres are required to meet the following standards:
- Qualified and Experienced Staff:
Tutors, trainers, and assessors must hold relevant academic and professional qualifications in nutrition, dietetics, public health, or epidemiology. They should also have substantial industry or research experience and demonstrate a commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). - Access to Learning Resources:
Centres must provide learners with up-to-date textbooks, peer-reviewed journals, online research databases, and statistical software. Digital learning platforms should also be available to support blended or distance learning delivery. - Facilities and Infrastructure:
Suitable learning environments must be provided, including equipped classrooms, computer labs with data analysis tools, and access to resources for case studies and research projects. - Assessment and Quality Assurance:
Robust systems must be in place for fair and transparent learner assessment, internal verification, and quality assurance. Assessors must be fully competent in evaluating postgraduate-level work. - Learner Support Services:
Centres should provide academic mentoring, research guidance, and career development support. Learners studying online or in hybrid formats must also have access to responsive digital and administrative support. - Commitment to Inclusivity and Ethics:
All centres must demonstrate ethical practice, inclusivity, and fairness in teaching, assessment, and learner engagement to ensure equal opportunities for success.
By meeting these requirements, centres will deliver a high-quality learning experience that equips learners to excel in the field of nutritional epidemiology and contribute meaningfully to public health research and 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.
