What is the Personalised Nutritional Therapy Practice Diploma?

The PNPD is a comprehensive online skills based programme. Students are supported to acquire and demonstrate coaching, clinical and business development skills alongside supervised practice, in preparation for independent Nutritional Therapy practice.

The PNPD compliments academic clinically applied studies. The programme is delivered over 5 modules across levels 4-6. The PNPD programme is Endorsed by Qualifi.

Who can apply for Personalised Nutritional Therapy Practice Diploma?

Applicants wishing to complete a route to nutritional therapy practice accredited by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC). Graduates of NTEC accredited courses have the right to apply to register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and for professional membership with the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) as a Nutritional Therapy practitioner.

Which courses does CNELM offer that are accredited by the NTEC?

1. MSc in Personalised Nutrition in combination with the PNPD
2. Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) in Personalised Nutrition in combination with the PNPD

Can I take the PNPD without the MSc or PG Diploma?

1. The PNPD is not a standalone course and must be complimented with academic clinically applied degree studies.
2. Students can complete degree studies first and then take the PNPD programme.
3. Students cannot take the PNPD prior to academic study as sufficient academic clinically applied knowledge is required before applying practical skills.
4. Many students take some PNPD modules alongside academic degree studies.
5. Graduates of the MSc or PG Diploma may apply to take the PNPD within 5 years of completing degree studies and will likely be recommended a Refresher before starting the PNPD modules.
6. Graduates that have completed academic study with another NTEC accredited provider may meet entry requirements to complete the PNPD only, and this is evaluated on a per applicant basis.

Applicants based on prior learning may also meet a specific module exemption from the PNPD. Please review the Advanced Learner Entry TAB for further details.

Please review the Course Content TAB and the differences for MSc and PG Diploma students.

What is the NTEC?

The NTEC accredit programmes leading to nutritional therapy practice that are mapped to the Core Curriculum (CC) for Nutritional Therapy set by the CNHC and the National Occupational Standards (NOS) set by Skills for Health. Providers must also demonstrate to the NTEC robustness across many parameters to meet accreditation requirements.

The MSc and PG Diploma programmes in combination with the PNPD have been mapped to meet the requirements of the Core Curriculum and National Occupational Standards for nutritional therapy.

This programme is accredited by the NTEC and you will be able to register with BANT and CNHC on completion

What is the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)?

The CNHC provides an independent UK register of complementary healthcare practitioners including nutritional therapists. CNHC is also the holder of an Accredited Register by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament. The CNHC as a regulatory body regulates within the UK Borders. The CNHC is has set the Core Curriculum for Nutritional Therapy and provides registrants with a Code of Practice. Protection of the public is CNHC’s sole purpose. 

On completion of this programme your will be able to register as a Nutritional Therapist with the CNHC

What is the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)?

BANT is the professional body for Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioners in one-to-one practice and a self-regulator for BANT Registered Nutritionists®. Throughout degree and PNPD studies students become Student Members of BANT. Following graduation from degree and PNPD studies you will be able to apply for professional membership of BANT as a nutritional therapy practitioner. Graduates of the degree programmes without the PNPD can apply for Associate Membership of BANT. BANT oversees the activities, training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of its members. BANT provides a wide range of services to support members.

On completion of this programme your will be able to register as a Nutritional Therapist with the BANT

Who is Qualifi?

Qualifi is an Awarding Organisation. In addition, Qualifi recognises the need for quality accredited industry programmes; training and award certifications that demonstrate skills, knowledge and understanding that are Endorsed by Qualifi. The PNPD is a Qualifi Endorsed programme. Graduates of the PNPD receive a Qualifi Endorsed Award.

This programme is endorsed by Qualifi and you will receive a Qualifi endorsed award on successful completion

• Fully accessible online enabling international access. Up to 40% or students live outside of the UK
• All modules currently run three times a year enabling ongoing opportunities for progression
• Part-time options available
• In combination with the MSc or PG Dip in Personalised Nutrition are accredited by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC) as routes to nutritional therapy practice
• Graduates of NTEC accredited courses have the right to apply to register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and for professional membership with the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) as a Nutritional Therapy practitioner
• Endorsed by Qualifi as assessed up to Level 6. Graduates of the PNPD receive a Qualifi Endorsed Certificate
• A Dietary Educator Certificate (DEC) qualification can be gained as an interim award whilst completing the combined degree and PNPD programmes. The Dietary Educator Certificate (DEC) is awarded by CNELM and accredited by the Federation of Holistic Therapist (FHT)
• A Nutrition & Health Coach Diploma (NHCD) qualification can also be gained whilst completing the PNPD or completed as an alternative to the PNPD

To join the PNPD students must be enrolled on, or completed, one or more of the following courses:

• • MSc or PG Dip in Personalised Nutrition
  • an approved Advanced Learner Entry programme

Other entry requirements:

• • IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL equivalent is the standard requirement for applicants where English is not your first language
  • Basic computer skills including word processing, internet browsing and use of email

Please note: Applicants intending to practice outside of the UK should confirm any legal requirements to practice in countries outside of the UK

This interactive, skills based programme is delivered over 5 modules. All modules include interactive webinars, tutorials and other activities. If you miss an online webinar you can usually pick it up as a recording after the event. There are 10 online days that students must set aside to attend via live webinar. 5 days for Module 1 and 5 days as part of Module 2. Most students schedule their time to attend as many live events as possible.

Module 1: Coaching in Personalised Nutrition Practice (CP) – 10 Credits – Level 4

This 5-day highly interactive online module (35 hours) enables you to develop and demonstrate a range of coaching skills to help enhance outcomes with clients, peers and colleagues as well as your personal study and lives.

Module 2: Personalised Dietary Education (PDE) – 20 Credits – Level 4

Enables you to demonstrate effective communication using educational language to clients and the public. The module includes role plays, public writing and presentation skills. Important learning from this module is the difference between education, giving advice and making recommendations. You will have the opportunity to write an article about food and health and give a presentation about food and health suitable for the public. Through role play experiences you will have the opportunity to analyse diets, create personalised educational reports and conduct dietary educator consultations across a range of cultural contexts for individuals without complex health histories.

Module 3: Clinical and Coaching Skills Development (SD) 30 Credits – Online or Online with Part Attendance or Online Only – Level 5

Enables you to demonstrate the wide ranging skills and competencies required for participating in the level 6 module Supervised Personalised Nutrition Consultations and Practice. Coaching techniques will be introduced as part of this module and a range of clinical, legal, and professional skills will be explored. The module culminates in role plays to demonstrate full nutritional therapy consultations.

Module 4: Supervised Personalised Nutrition Consultations & Practice (SP) 40 Credits – Level 6

This module focuses on online webinars, tutorials, discussions and debates around personalised nutritional therapy practice. You will see clients for first and return visits and a mid-way coaching call under ‘virtual’ supervision with a Clinic Supervisor.

Module 5: Nutrition Enterprise (NE) 20 Credits – Level 6

You will have the opportunity to review the market potential for your future career as a nutritional therapy practitioner as well as combining practice with a range of allied services. This may involve setting up your own business and/or seeking employed work. You will be able to create promotional literature, a Linked-In page and a business plan and update your CV.

All modules are coursework assessed. In addition, throughout your degree and PNPD studies you maintain a log to record professional competencies as mapped to the National Occupational Standards for nutritional therapy and CNELM requirements. Each client role play and supervision with a client is competency assessed.

Please go to Downloads Tab to access the course flyer and costs. Course fees are paid as annual tuition fees and monthly fees.

Expected Study Length and Commitments MSc and PNPD

Most students complete the combined programmes over 3-3.5 years. The minimum time frame to complete the MSc is 1 year and a maximum timeframe of 3 years. Students will generally integrate the first two of five PNPD modules alongside taking the MSc over 2 years. The remaining three modules are then taken after the MSc over 12-18 months. If studying full-time students will usually complete the MSc first over 12-months and then start the PNPD and complete the combined programmes over 24-26 months. Completing both programmes full-time within 24-26 months is based on 35 hours a week for 46 weeks of the year. Part-time study hours would be proportionately less.

Expected Study Length and Commitments PG Dip and PNPD

Most students complete the combined programmes over 3 years. The minimum timeframe to complete the PG Diploma is 10-11 months. Students will generally integrate the first two of five PNPD modules alongside taking the PG Diploma over 18-24 months and then complete the remaining three PNPD modules over a 12 month period.

• Student Finance Options
• Key Policies & Statements

Please review our Key Policies including the Payment, Charges and Refund Policy

• Course Flyer & Fees
• Additional Course Costs
• Module Descriptors
• Programme Specification
• Full Prospectus

From the point of application to graduation we aim to provide you with robust support.

Module Leaders are there to support and guide you through each module. Alongside co-markers, Module Leaders are there to provide quality feedback in a timely and developmental manner.

Clinic Supervisors will help you to develop the skills and competencies for professional competencies for one-to-one personalised nutritional therapy practice.

If you need to review your study plan you can meet with the Study Plan Manager. You can request to slow down your pace of study, or increase your pace of study. The Study Plan Manager would meet with you if you need to pause your studies for a period of time.

Our Student Support Manager is there to provide pastoral support, Students can schedule a time to throughout the academic year to discuss concerns they might have that are impacting upon their studies.

Students can be referred to meet with our Coach Mentor, if considered an appropriate means of support for a student.

Applicants with a diagnosed learning need, or students that develop a learning need can meet with the Student Support Manager and our Learning Needs Support Manager.

IT and Administrative support is ongoing throughout studies.

Students that might meet a financial challenge can arrange to speak with our Finance Team.

CNELM is committed to recognising prior certificated and/or experiential learning.

The PNPD is made up of 5 modules equating to 120 credits. All students irrespective of prior learning must complete the 40 credit level 6 Supervised Practice Module.

Some applicants will already hold relevant coaching or business qualifications and can apply for module exemptions for our coaching and business module Nutrition Enterprise.

Prior learning is assessed against the learning outcomes for the modules being considered for an exemption.

In principle, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is based on knowledge being current. For example, an accredited prior course such as a degree or professional qualification is within the last 5 years. If more than 5 years then applicants would need to demonstrate continued application of their knowledge in a work environment. Sometimes, students have experiential learning, for example, running their own business or working for a company that has enabled them to demonstrate the learning outcomes, or partially demonstrate the learning outcomes for the business module.

Applicants can discuss prior learning at interview or after starting studies. Guidance is offered following application. You can email us at info@cnelm.ac.uk.