How to become a nutritional therapy practitioner

Article

Everything you need to know about training for the nutritional therapy profession

So you’ve decided you’d like to become a nutritional therapist – what’s next? There are a few things to consider when choosing how to train:

Choosing an NTEC accredited course

When looking to study nutritional therapy, it is important to select a course that has been accredited by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC).

NTEC accreditation means that the course is accredited against the National Occupational Standards for nutritional therapy. This includes a minimum of three years clinical experience, including a detailed portfolio of evidence.

Those who have completed an NTEC accredited nutritional therapy course are then able to join the professional register for complementary healthcare practitioners, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).

BANT registration

Previously, completion of an NTEC accredited course and registration to the CNHC would have allowed you to become a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT), the professional body for nutrition practitioners, and to practise as a fully qualified registered nutritional therapist.

However, as of 1st September 2020, BANT Full Membership will require a Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher from a recognised university, in addition to NTEC accreditation.

Why should I study with ION?

The Institute for Optimum Nutrition is uniquely dual-accredited by NTEC and the British Accreditation Council (BAC) - a comprehensive quality assurance scheme for independent further and higher education in the UK.

Our BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy is also validated by the University of Portsmouth, a leading modern university and TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework) gold rated. Successful completion of our BSc (Hons) will therefore allow you to register for BANT membership.

Find out more about our BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy. Or, if you're an allied healthcare professional, you can gain fast-track entry to registration with the professional body through our Graduate Diploma in Integrative Functional Nutrition.

About ION:

ION is a leading provider of accredited nutritional therapy training, established in 1984. ION’s BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy is validated by the University of Portsmouth. Be part of a growing community of nutritional therapists and build a rewarding, flexible career helping others to make positive lifestyle changes.

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Key facts

Award
Certificate

Duration
7-9 months

Study time
10-17 hours per week and Touch point sessions

Course code
ED200PTD (online learning), rNTSAC

Entry dates
October: ED201PTD
January: ED202PTD
May: ED203PTD

Tuition fees
£2,900

Key facts

Course codes
C0502FTD (full-time)
C0502PTD (part-time)

Award
Graduate Diploma

Credits
120

Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Study time
20 hours per week full-time
10 hours per week part-time

Entry month
February

Tuition fees*
£7,875 full-time
£3,940 part-time

£200 per 20 credits RCPL (certified)
£375 per 20 credits REPL (experiential)

£475 registration fee

* For 2022/23 academic year. Fees for subsequent years may increase in line with inflation

Key facts

Entry:
September and February

Location:
Online with optional attendance activities

Duration:
4.5 years part-time or
3 years full-time

Course code:
C0503PTD (part-time)
C0503FTD (full-time)

Fees part time:
£5,250 - per year, years 1-4
£2,625 - year 5

Fees full time:
£9,250 - per year

Awarding body:
University of Portsmouth

* Fees may increase in line with inflation

Key facts

Course codes
C0503PTD (online)

Award
BSc (Hons)

Credits
120

Pathways
Qualified nutritional therapist

Duration
1.5 years part-time

Study time
15-20 hours per week plus time to watch lectures

Entry dates
September, February

Tuition fees*
£5,950 per year
£2,625 year 5

* For 2023/24 academic year. Fees for subsequent years may increase in line with inflation