Course structure

The Nutritional Therapy Diploma Course is a modular part-time course divided into three years.  It is designed so that you can complete it successfully alongside your other commitments. We find that many of our students are in full-time employment, so the majority of teaching is at weekends.

Each module is a distinct, individually assessed learning unit.  We use a wide range of teaching and assessment methods including lectures, seminars, groupwork projects, videos, essays, case studies,  consultations, clinic observations and written examinations. 

The course has 2 key elements to it - Self Study & Attendance

Self Study

It’s important to understand that the Course is a demanding academic study programme. Apart from lectures and seminars, you’ll be expected to devote time to self-study. This is an integral part of the course and entails reading, research, case studies, and written and practical assignments. We suggest you commit yourself to at least 15 hours of self-study time each week.

Class Based Learning

Lectures

Lectures are held once a month at weekends at Birkbeck College in Central London location, with six hours of lectures from 10am to 5.30pm on both Saturdays and Sundays. In Years One and Two, you’ll attend 10 Lecture Weekends. In the final year, the academic calendar consists of eight Lecture Weekends, plus your Final Assessment weekend.

Seminars

You’ll be divided into groups of 15-20 for three hour seminars that are held once a month. These cover key elements of the curriculum in an interactive environment – sharing ideas, knowledge and experiences, and developing skills through discussion, case-work and a range of group tasks and activities. Seminars are guided by a tutor who is also a qualified, practising nutritional therapist.

Most seminar groups meet at our Richmond premises during the week before the Lecture Weekend – but there’s also a seminar at our lecture venue in Central London on saturday evenings for those unable to attend weekday seminars.

Clinical Training

In Year 1, the Clinical Analysis module introduces you to the tools we use to analyse a client’s diet and health and devise an individually tailored nutrition programme based on the Functional Medicine approach.  The Clinical Practice modules in Years 2 and 3 transfer these skills to ‘live’ consultations, centred on study days spent in the ION Teaching Clinic with real clients.  The clinical training at ION is of the highest standard, with students working in small, supportive groups with our experienced clinic tutors.  You will spend a total of more than 80 hours in the Teaching Clinic, giving and observing consultations.  In addition to this, a great deal of lecture and seminar time is devoted to various aspects of clinical training, using a range of tools and resources such as case studies, role-plays and DVDs.  You can also book in to observe consultations by qualified practitioners at the ION Professional Clinic, Child Health Clinic, Women’s Health Clinic and Brain Bio Centre (mental health clinic) all operating from ION in Richmond.