Certificate in Dietary Counselling Nutrition and Health
This ITEC accredited course is ideal for individuals who wish to gain a practical knowledge of diet and nutrition in order to advise clients in formulating healthy eating programmes for weight loss and to improve general health and wellbeing. It is also ideal for those that want to improve their knowledge of diet and nutrition in order to benefit their own health and that of their families. 
This course is recognised by the Federation of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners. Graduates of the Certificate programme can become members of FNTP and benefit from the services and support of a registering body and obtain practitioner insurance. See www.fntp.org.uk for more details.The course format is modular allowing you to direct the progress of your learning. You can choose to complete it entirely as a taught course; as a blended learning course with an option to attend lecture weekend of your choice or entirely via distance learning. Structured home study allows you to complete each module in the comfort of your own home, at your own pace. Mutually agreed goals and milestones ensure that you will remain focused while still allowing you flexibility.
- Start seeing clients and earning immediately – we provide you with custom-designed packs of 4 comprehensive dietary counselling programmes and paperwork to get started in business straight away
- Receive your ITEC Diploma in Diet and Nutrition for Complementary Therapists – avail of an option to take the ITEC exam (for those with an existing complementary therapy qualification only)
- Get listed on the IHS website as a Dietary Counsellor – Get client referrals without having to develop your own website
- Practice in confidence - Practitioner insurance options available on successful graduation
- Continue on with your studies – Fast track onto the IHS Diploma in Nutritional Therapy
About the Course
This ITEC accredited certificate course is designed to instruct students in the principles of healthy eating taking into context the current Western diet, lifestyle and health issues. The course offers strategies for personal change but also develops skills for coaching others towards a sustainable healthier future based on principles of NLP. It is specifically designed to help you assess an individual’s goals, concerns, barriers to change and motivators which can help you adapt your approach to any one’s needs and improve results.
We examine food from farm to fork and discuss exactly how food is grown, processed and nutritionally depleted and the cumulative effect this has on health. Students are then instructed how food, nutrients, supplements and herbs can be used to counteract modern lifestyles and promote optimum health.
The format of this course is modular allowing you to direct the progress of your learning. Structured home study allows you to complete each module in the comfort of your own home, at your own pace, should you choose to do so. Mutually agreed goals and milestones ensure that you will remain focused while still allowing you flexibility. A timetable of potential in-class lectures is given to each student at the commencement of their studies so they can decide if and when they would like to attend lectures, workshops, cooking demos etc.
Those who choose to enrol on the in-class course will complete the first year of the Diploma in Nutritional Therapy, which allows them the option to continue straight on with the diploma course if they choose to do so. Distance and blended learning students will be required to complete short bridging modules and assignments in order to fast track onto year 2 of the diploma. All certificate students will be assigned a personal tutor to guide and mentor you through the programme. Online tutorials are provided so that you receive the support that you need.
Course Content
This ITEC accredited certificate course consists of four modules in total. Most modules can be completed as home study (should you choose this option) or by attending lectures. There is one compulsory taught module on coaching skills where you will be required to attend a weekend of lectures and training.
The course covers an array of vital nutritional knowledge including: the therapeutic qualities of food, toxicity and detoxification; bowel flora, dietary functions of minerals and vitamins and their deficiency and toxicity symptoms; the use of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements as well as special nutrients. This course is a perfect adjunct to any therapy and will enhance your own health as well as your current or future practice.
Click here to view course outline with optional lecture dates
Add-on Modules
Entry Requirements
This certificate is a lifelong learning course and students are accepted on to this course through a combination of academic qualifications and relevant life experience.
(i) Normal minimum entry requirements
The minimum academic entry requirement for this course is a grade C at Junior Certificate or 4 GCSEs grades A to C (preferably including a science subject). Equivalent international qualifications will also be accepted.
(ii) Prior Learning and Prior Experiential Learning
Applicants with Prior Learning and Experiential Prior Learning will also be considered. All knowledge, skills and competencies accumulated through life and work experience will be considered.
All applicants will be interviewed to determine their suitability for the course.
How to Apply
Training is an investment in your future. As with any investment it is important to identify what you wish to gain and which course will be most suitable for your needs. The Institute staff will spend time speaking with you to ensure you have all the information you need to make the right decision. We recommend you attend one of our regular open evenings to find out more about the course structure, content and career opportunities.
To enrol you will need to complete the application form and email to info@instituteofhealthsciences.com
If you would like IHS to contact you please fill out our online contact form and a staff member will get in touch with you shortly.
