Level 6 Diploma in Nutritional Therapy (SRQ)
Develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to work successfully with clients to recommend individualised nutrition, supplement and lifestyle changes
Develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to work successfully with clients to recommend individualised nutrition, supplement and lifestyle changes
September 2021
This comprehensive 2½ year practitioner training diploma begins at UK level 5 (Irish level 6/7) and builds to UK level 6 (Irish level 7/8) – equivalent in level to a UK degree programme.
This course provides practical and interactive optional online lectures/workshops alongside structured home study and over 250 hours of clinical practice (including 70 live hours). The syllabus is written to cover the UK Nutritional Therapy Education Council’s core curriculum for Nutritional Therapy and aims to uphold the UK’s National Occupational Standards. Students and graduates may register with the Nutritional Therapists of Ireland (NTOI), Ireland’s registering body for Nutritional Therapists, and the Complementary Medical Association (CMA) & Federation of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners (FNTP) in both the UK and Ireland.
“Studying with IHS was a great experience. The lecturers were very experienced and knowledgeable and the supporting staff were extremely helpful and accommodating. The course content was excellent, evidence-based and very relevant. I feel that I was very prepared to deal with clients after this course, both from a scientific/nutrition point and by understanding clients’ motivations and barriers. I feel that IHS holds the high standards that should be expected of Nutritional Therapists and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this Institute for anyone considering a career in nutrition.”
Ciara Wright, PhD, BSc, Dip NT IHS, Nutritional Therapy Diploma Graduate, currently Director and Senior Nutritionist at Glenville Nutrition Ireland
The IHS Diploma in Nutritional Therapy is based upon 2 key, evidence based and well respected healthcare models – Functional Medicine and Health & Wellness Coaching.
During clinical practice, we develop key skills in a systematic and logical fashion from year 1 onwards so that students are confident and competent before they see clients in supervised student clinics in year 3. Our approach involves a variety of tried and tested education methods proven to be the best practice for developing communication and clinical practice skills. These include group exercises and role play, structured at-home exercises, reflective practice, video/paper based consultation analysis, live clinical observation and supervised client consultations.
The overall aim of the programme is to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and competencies required to provide comprehensive nutritional advice to individuals and groups in a range of healthcare settings. IHS develop confident, safe and effective practitioners of Nutritional Therapy who have a specific expertise and a specialised knowledge base, competent to work either individually or in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Prerequisite course the CI Level 4 (UK) Diploma in Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching (VRQ) (or equivalent), a unique, Ofqual regulated course where food is examined from farm to fork. We explore exactly how food is grown, processed and thus nutritionally depleted and the cumulative effect this has on health. Students are taught how to analyse a client’s individual needs and instructed how food, nutrients and supplements can be used to counteract the health problems associated with modern lifestyles and promote optimum health.
Nutritional Therapy Year 1: The objective of this year is to critically evaluate different theories and approaches on how and why nutrition and lifestyle choices influence the development of chronic disease, with a particular emphasis on the Functional Medicine model. Includes fortnightly live webinars.
You will:
Nutritional Therapy Year 2: The objective of this year is to critically evaluate the role of nutrition and lifestyle in the management of chronic disease. It will focus specifically on personalised nutrition and lifestyle interventions and explore the Functional Medicine model as a means of applying these principles to practice. Includes fortnightly live webinars.
You will:
Year 3 is eight months in duration and requires the production of clinical case studies, reflective narratives and evaluations of the effectiveness of nutritional therapy in various clinical scenarios. All clinical practice during this module takes place in the IHS student clinics. This module provides students with intensive supervised clinical practice and tutorials in small groups designed to maximise their skills and bolster their confidence prior to graduation and includes the building of a business plan. During supervised cases students are expected to exhibit advanced therapeutic skills, knowledge and competence. The aim is to give a comprehensive and thorough overview of contemporary professional practice. The success of our current graduates demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach.
There are 6 online lecture weekends per year alongside structured home study and fortnightly live online webinars. The 4th year (8 months in total) is solely focused on ensuring graduates are competent and confident in clinical practice. It comprises of 6 clinical practice weekends with live clients which students attend in small groups (3 or 4 students) with an experienced Nutritional Therapy practitioner as a clinic mentor; or online, via supervised client consultations. Each student must pass a number of supervised clinical practice cases in order to graduate.
CI Level 4 (UK) Diploma in Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching, or equivalent
Years 1 & 2 €4100 per year (10 monthly payments)
Years 1 & 2 €3900 per year (1 or 2 payments - save €200)
Year 3 €2000 (5 monthly payments)
Year 3 €1900 (1 payment - save €100)