The QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (PgD Clinical Nutrition) is an advanced qualification designed for professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in clinical nutrition and its application to patient care, disease prevention, and health promotion. This postgraduate diploma provides learners with an in-depth understanding of the science of nutrition, evidence-based dietary strategies, and the role of nutrition in the management of complex health conditions.
This qualification is aimed at professionals who wish to enhance their career prospects, broaden their knowledge, and advance their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the field of clinical nutrition. It is particularly relevant for nutritionists, dietitians, healthcare practitioners, and those engaged in research or clinical practice who want to build specialist knowledge to improve health outcomes and influence best practice in clinical settings.
Learners will explore critical areas such as advanced nutritional assessment, clinical dietetics, metabolic health, therapeutic nutrition, and nutrition in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. The programme also equips learners with the research and analytical skills needed to critically evaluate scientific evidence and apply it effectively in practice.
Centres delivering this qualification must ensure that they have competent and qualified staff, access to appropriate teaching and learning resources, and the necessary facilities to maintain excellence in training and learner achievement. This ensures a high-quality learning experience where advanced theory is effectively integrated with applied clinical practice.
The QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition empowers learners to take on leadership roles in healthcare, academia, and consultancy, contributing to the advancement of clinical nutrition at both individual and population levels.
Course Contents of QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (PgD Clinical Nutrition):
The QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (PgD Clinical Nutrition), offers 120 Credits, requiring a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 1200 hours, including 600 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).
| Unit Ref# | Unit Title | Credits | GLH | TQT |
| QC29097- 1 | Advanced Principles of Clinical Nutrition | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC29097-2 | Nutritional Assessment and Diagnostic Techniques | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC29097-3 | Clinical Dietetics and Disease Management | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC29097-4 | Therapeutic Nutrition and Specialised Diets | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC29097-5 | Public Health, Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Nutrition | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC29097-6 | Dissertation / Research Project in Clinical Nutrition | 20 | 100 | 200 |
Entry Requirements for the QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (PgD Clinical Nutrition):
Minimum Age:
- Learners must be 21 years or older at the time of registration.
Educational Background:
- A recognised Level 6 qualification, bachelor’s degree, or equivalent in nutrition, dietetics, health sciences, medicine, or a closely related discipline is required.
Experience:
- Relevant professional or clinical experience in healthcare, nutrition, dietetics, or public health is recommended, though applicants with strong academic backgrounds may also be accepted.
Language Proficiency:
- Learners should demonstrate proficiency in English, with strong reading, writing, and communication skills to engage with advanced academic content and produce postgraduate-level assignments.
Commitment to CPD:
Applicants must show commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), as this diploma is designed for professionals seeking to enhance expertise and progress in their careers.
Access to Required Resources:
Learners must have access to a personal computer or laptop, reliable internet connection, and essential study resources including academic journals, research databases, and e-learning platforms.
Learning Outcomes for the QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition (PgD Clinical Nutrition):
Advanced Principles of Clinical Nutrition
- Critically analyse the biochemical, physiological, and molecular basis of human nutrition
- Evaluate the role of advanced nutrition science in clinical decision-making
- Assess the interactions between genetics, environment, and diet in health and disease
- Apply advanced nutritional principles to complex clinical case studies
- Integrate evidence-based frameworks into clinical nutrition practice
Nutritional Assessment and Diagnostic Techniques
- Demonstrate advanced competency in assessing nutritional status using anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical methods
- Critically evaluate diagnostic tools for identifying malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies
- Apply advanced techniques in interpreting metabolic and laboratory data for clinical use
- Assess the reliability and validity of diagnostic indicators in clinical nutrition practice
- Design comprehensive nutritional assessment protocols for complex patient cases
Clinical Dietetics and Disease Management
- Critically evaluate the role of diet in the prevention and management of major chronic diseases
- Develop advanced dietary strategies for conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal failure, and gastrointestinal disorders
- Integrate clinical guidelines with patient-centred approaches in dietetic practice
- Analyse the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy in managing disease outcomes
- Apply multidisciplinary approaches to disease management through clinical nutrition
Therapeutic Nutrition and Specialised Diets
- Examine the role of therapeutic diets in managing complex medical conditions
- Design and evaluate specialised nutrition interventions for critical care and metabolic disorders
- Critically analyse the use of enteral and parenteral nutrition in clinical practice
- Assess the safety, efficacy, and ethical considerations of therapeutic diets
- Apply advanced clinical reasoning to the design of individualised nutrition therapy plans
Public Health, Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Nutrition
- Critically evaluate current research and evidence in clinical and public health nutrition
- Apply advanced research methodologies to clinical nutrition practice
- Analyse the role of nutrition policy and public health strategies in improving health outcomes
- Integrate research findings into clinical guidelines and healthcare programmes
- Develop proposals for evidence-based interventions in clinical nutrition and public health
Dissertation / Research Project in Clinical Nutrition
- Identify and formulate a relevant research question in clinical nutrition
- Apply advanced research methodologies and ethical standards in conducting a postgraduate research project
- Collect, analyse, and interpret complex data using appropriate research tools
- Critically evaluate findings in relation to existing scientific literature
- Produce a structured dissertation that demonstrates advanced research, critical thinking, and professional application
The Course is ideal for :
- Nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare professionals seeking advanced expertise in clinical nutrition
- Medical doctors, nurses, and allied health practitioners aiming to integrate evidence-based nutrition into patient care
- Public health professionals and policymakers designing nutrition programmes for population health improvement
- Researchers and academics pursuing postgraduate-level study in clinical and applied nutrition
- Professionals in the pharmaceutical, food, and wellness industries seeking specialist knowledge of clinical nutrition applications
- Individuals committed to advancing their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in clinical nutrition and healthcare leadership
- Learners aspiring to progress into senior clinical, research, consultancy, or academic roles in nutrition and health sciences
Centres approved to deliver the QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition must meet the following standards to ensure the highest quality of teaching, learning, and assessment:
- Qualified Staff: Trainers and assessors must hold postgraduate qualifications in nutrition, dietetics, clinical sciences, or related fields, with proven expertise in delivering and assessing at Level 7.
- Assessment Expertise: Assessors should demonstrate advanced knowledge in supervising postgraduate research projects and evaluating complex academic work.
- Learning Resources: Centres must provide access to up-to-date academic journals, clinical guidelines, research databases, e-learning platforms, and specialist textbooks in clinical nutrition.
- Facilities and Equipment: Adequate classrooms, IT facilities, and research tools must be available to support advanced theoretical study, clinical application, and independent research.
- Quality Assurance: Robust internal verification and quality assurance procedures must be in place to maintain consistency, reliability, and fairness in assessment.
- Learner Support: Centres must provide academic guidance, research supervision, and pastoral support to ensure learner progression and successful completion.
- Commitment to CPD: All staff involved in teaching, training, or assessment must engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to remain current with best practice in clinical nutrition and higher education delivery.
- Compliance: Centres must operate in line with all QualCert policies, regulations, and assessment requirements to ensure consistent high-quality delivery.