Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine

This innovative, evidence-based, flexible online programme has full and part-time options with one block of mandatory face-to-face attendance in each of the three semesters over one academic year (September - September).

The exact number of attendance days is dependent on whether you are on the full time or part-time route and will be between 0-5 days with 0 days only applicable to the part-time route for one semester.

Studying this course full-time enables you to qualify in one academic year (September – September) and part-time from three to six years depending on your chosen pathway You will develop your knowledge and skills to work with clients as a registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (Nutritional Therapist) in the UK and to employ your skills in other related activities such as group work as a Registered Nutritionist (mBANT).

Key features

• This exciting and innovative course gives you the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in Nutritional Therapy, where you can support people in making changes to their lives through personalised nutrition and lifestyle modifications
• The new full-time route is suited to those who wish to complete in an academic year (September – September) in three semesters. The part-time is a more flexible option for those who want to fit study around other commitments and can take from a minimum of three years to a maximum of six years
• Clinical skills are embedded throughout the course culminating in supervised clinical practice in our online clinic, where you will acquire valuable hands-on experience working with clients
• The teaching for this course will be online, with the exception of 0-5 mandatory attendance days at the start of each semester at the University of Worcester campus

Teaching

Teaching includes in person lectures (one block per semester) and synchronous (scheduled ‘live’, tutor facilitated) online lectures. Online learning activities are delivered through the Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard). Seminars and workshops are an integral part of most modules and may be based around exploring dietary analysis, drug-nutrient interactions or exploring case studies using a systematic and functional approach. Teaching is further supported by a managed learning environment of asynchronous eLearning activities.

The development of reflective practitioners is embedded throughout with opportunities for personal development planning, reflection of clinical role plays, and critical reflection of clinical practice. A range of other approaches may be incorporated where relevant e.g., online quizzes and informal presentations in group workshops. Timetabled group and individual tutorials are included in each module, as well as being integral to dissertation supervision, and managed via virtual conferencing software (MS Teams). Clinical skills development throughout the theory modules will include theoretical and practical approaches to build on knowledge and understanding and to enable students to meet the National Occupational Standards for Nutritional Therapy.

You are fully supervised and assessed by an experienced, qualified and registered nutritional therapist and on average see three clients two times over a period of a semester to build on the skills developed in the theory modules.

Careers

On successful completion of the course, students are eligible to apply to register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CHNC) and apply to become a full member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT).

Graduates often go into private Nutritional Therapy practice often developing specialist areas of expertise. They may choose to work in the industry, either for supplement or testing companies, they may lecture, go into health journalism, and some may add Nutritional Therapy to an existing profession.

International students may apply for this course but practising internationally will depend on having Professional Indemnity Insurance that covers for practice in the UK irrespective of location. Practice may also be subject to country-specific legal restrictions. Registration with the Complementary and Natural Health Care Council (CNHC) and membership of a professional body (e.g. British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine) (BANT) is also recommended.