Nutritional Therapy, Personalised Nutrition and Nutritional Science

Key Features:

  • The Personalised Nutrition Practice Diploma (PNPD) is accredited by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC)  in combination with the ‘BSc (Hons) Nutritional Science’ and ‘MSc or PG Dip in Personalised Nutrition’ as routes to nutritional therapy practice
  • The PNPD assessed up to Level 6 is a Qualifi Endorsed Course. Students on the PNPD that are registered with Qualifi will receive a Qualifi Endorsed Certificate following successful completion of the PNPD programme.
  • The  PNPD is delivered online as are the BSc/MSc/PG Dip courses are Distance Learning only.
  • The PNPD is available to study full-time (12-14 months) or part-time (up to 3 years)
  • Combining the PNPD with either the BSc or MSc or PG Dip degree programmes provides the most popular career pathway for graduates of the degree courses
  • A ‘Dietary Education’ qualification can be gained as an interim award whilst completing the combined degree and PNPD enabling a scope of practice before qualifying as a nutritional therapist. The Dietary Educator Certificate is awarded by CNELM and accredited by the Federation of Holistic Therapist (FHT).
  • If planning to practice outside of the UK it is the responsibility of each applicant to confirm any legal requirements or restrictions for practice in areas they plan to practice.

Entry Requirements:

Students must be enrolled on one of the following courses:

Study Options:

Two modes of study can be applied for:

  • Integrated: modules are taken at the same time as the BSc/MSc/PG Dip allowing you to combine theory with practice. Integrated options enable you to consolidate academic content alongside some applied  clinical practice.
  • Separated: modules are taken upon completion of BSc/MSc/PG Dip enabling you to focus solely on your degree studies and then consider afterwards whether you wish to practice as a nutritional therapist.

Overview:

Many people interested nutrition wish to practice clinically. The Personalised Nutrition Practice Diploma (PNPD) is a CNELM qualification Endorsed by Qualifi which can be combined with one of the following degree programmes taught at CNELM as an accredited route to nutritional therapy practice.

Please note the PNPD is  not  a standalone qualification and is taken alongside the :

CNELM is committed to the highest standards of training in Nutritional Therapy so that graduates are equipped to provide nutritional therapy services to individuals in a ‘safe’ and effective manner.

The above routes we offer to nutritional therapy practice are accredited by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC). Graduates will be able to demonstrate having met the Core Curriculum and National Occupational Standards set for nutritional therapy, and will be eligible to apply to register with the professional body, BANT (British Association for Applied Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy) and the regulatory body, the CNHC (Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council). Acceptance t0 BANT professional membership and the CNHC register is the prerogative of BANT and the CNHC and not CNELM. Graduates must meet their requirements.

The CNELM Personalised Nutrition Practice Diploma is taught across five modules enabling students to gradually build up additional knowledge and practical skills relating to nutritional therapy practice. The 120 credit NTPD programme starts at level 4 and completes at level 6.

All PNPD applicants enrolling from January 2021 will be be enrolled on the PNPD programme. Any student that has started on the NTPD programme prior to January 2021 that has modules still to complete will join the new PNPD modules from January 2021.

Module 1: Coaching in Personalised Nutrition Practice (CP) – Attendance 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) – Online – 20 Credits – Level 4

This online module is designed to enable you to communicate effectively 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 that take account of a range of personalised implications; 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 and taking medications.

  • BSc students complete this module as part of their first year Level 4 BSc studies. Level 4 BSc modules include sufficient coaching concepts to enable undergraduate students to complete this module. BSc students progressing to the PNPD must however take the CP module in full as part of meeting requirements for nutritional therapy practice and can take this module later on in their studies.
  • MSc/PG Dip students can take this PNPD module after having completed any bioscience entry requirements,  Level 7 Personalised Nutrition Requirements from the MSc/Dip programme and Coaching in Personalised Nutrition Practice from the PNPD.

Module 3: Clinical and Coaching Skills Development (SD) 30 Credits – Online or Online with Part Attendance or Online Only  – Level 5/6

This 2 x 5 day online module (70 hours) is designed to enable you to demonstrate the wide ranging skills and competencies required for personalised nutritional therapy practice and the National Occupational Standards for nutritional therapy. This module is completed before starting SP. Nutritional Therapy is an art as well as a science. Making clinical applications in a world of scientific uncertainty is an ongoing challenge. Developing diverse clinical skills is critical to the effective use of theoretical knowledge. Further coaching techniques will also be introduced during the module. This module focuses on the development of necessary skills to apply in SP module 4 where you will see real clients under supervision.

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

This online module focuses on online webinars, tutorials, discussions and debates around clinical practice. You will see clients for first and return visits under ‘virtual’ supervision with a Clinic Supervisor, subject to meeting our stringent ‘virtual’ supervision requirements. You will also submit a Clinic Log towards the end of this module that will comprehensively demonstrate how you have built your skills and competencies over both degree and PNPD studies. 

Module 5: Nutrition Enterprise (NE) 20 Credits – Online + 2 days optional attendance – Level 6

This module is completed completely Online by most students. Students taking the BSc Hons Nutritional Science complete this module as part of their degree programme. MSc/PG Dip students take this module as part of the PNPD. All students taking this module with the intention to practice as a nutritional therapist will have the opportunity to present a successful competitive entrepreneurial strategy, critically review Regulatory and Professional Bodies, Write their CV, Create a Linked-In page and prepare a Business Plan for their future practice as a nutritional therapist. There are usually two days where students can come into the Centre to attend lectures and other students will join by live webinar or listen to the recording after the event.

*Attendance Requirements

The PNPD course is 100% online.

Expected Study Length and Commitments for Integrated and Separated Programmes

Whether integrating the PNPD with a degree programme or taking after a degree programme, the minimum time-frame i.e. full-time study to complete the PNPD for BSc students is 12 months and MSc and PGDip students should allow 12-14 months.

BSc students take 2 of 5 PNPD modules as part of BSc studies and will generally complete the final 3 modules after completion of degree studies. 

BSc + PNPD full time study: is based on 35 hours a week for up to 42 weeks per year over a minimum of 4 years. Typically BSc + PNPD students study over 4.5 years.

MSc + PNPD full time study is based on 35 hours a week for up to 46 weeks per year over a minimum of 2.4 years. Typically MSc + PNPD students study over 3.5 years

PG Dip + PNPD full time study is based on 35 hours a week for up to 46 weeks per year over 2 years. Typically PG Dip + PNPD students study over 2.5 years.

Longer study plans are possible and discussed at interview.

For further details on the CNELM Personalised Nutrition Practice Diploma, including Entry Requirements, Course Outline and Fees, please refer to our full Prospectus.


t: 0118 979 8686
f: 0118 979 8786
e: info@cnelm.ac.uk
a: Centre for Nutrition Education & Lifestyle Management (CNELM) | PO Box 3739 | Wokingham | Berkshire | RG40 9UA

CNELM is a collaborative partner of Middlesex University (MDX). The undergraduate and postgraduate courses we teach are validated and  quality  assured by MDX. You will receive an MDX award on successful completion and be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at their campus.

The NTEC accredits courses for nutritional therapy. The BSc (Hons) Nutritional Science and the MSc/PG Dip in Personalised Nutrition combined with CNELM’s Personalised Nutrition Practice Diploma (PNPD) are accredited by NTEC.

The CNHC is the voluntary regulator for complementary therapists including Nutritional Therapists. Following successful completion of one of our accredited routes to nutritional therapy practice you will be eligible to apply to register with CNHC as a Nutritional Therapist.

BANT is a professional body for Nutritional Therapists that have completed NTEC accredited courses, or have demonstrated having met the NTEC Core Curriculum and National Occupational Standards set by Skills for Health for nutritional therapy. Practitioner members of BANT are required to register with the CNHC.


The Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) has accredited CNELM’s Dietary Educator Certificate. On successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply to register as a Dietary Educator with the FHT.

Students that meet verification standards for the ‘NLP Practitioner Certificate’ can apply to register with the Association for Neurolinguistic Programming ANLP.

Students registered with Qualifi that meet the outcomes of the Personalised Nutrition Practice Diploma (PNPD) Course assessed up to Level 6 will receive a Qualifi Endorsed Certificate. Qualifi is a recognised UK awarding organisation regulated in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).