Postgraduate Diploma
Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine
EARLY BIRD ENDS:
10 November
2026
-
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
14 January
2027
-
START DATE:
1 February
-
DURATION:
1 year full-time /
2 years part-time
-
VALIDATING INSTITUTION:
University of
Portsmouth (TBC)
-
EARLY BIRD ENDS:
10 November
2026
-
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
14 January
2027
-
START DATE:
1 February
-
DURATION:
1 year full-time /
2 years part-time
-
VALIDATING INSTITUTION:
University of
Portsmouth (TBC)
-
Empower patients by integrating personalised nutrition and lifestyle medicine into your practice
Purposefully curated for medical professionals, allied healthcare practitioners and CAM practitioners who believe in the power of personalised dietary and lifestyle interventions to support modern medicine and foster positive health outcomes.
Position yourself at the forefront of personalised nutrition and lifestyle medicine within your profession by developing the knowledge, critical thinking, clinical insight, and professional confidence required to support individuals with complex health challenges and deliver personalised, evidence-informed care.
Using case-based learning and reflective practice, you will strengthen your personalised care planning skills in the context of complex client presentations, broadening your professional scope and expanding your patient’s options.
On completion, graduates may complete supervised clinical practice training and practice outside of their current scope of practice or continue their study with ION’s MSc Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Practice (top-up), available from 2028 subject to validation.
On this page
Course background
Course information
Course background
What you'll study
This case-focused course is designed for medical professionals, allied healthcare practitioners (e.g., nutritionists, dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, specialist nurses) and CAM practitioners who want to integrate personalised nutrition and lifestyle medicine within the boundaries of their non-clinical work (advising or communicating to groups, communities or organisations) or clinical practice.
Investigate dietary, nutraceutical and lifestyle approaches to optimise health. Learn how to appraise available tools to collect and interpret client data and elicit behaviour change. Learning is shared and discussed with peers and tutors in online group seminars.
Assessments
There are no exams on this course. Students are set case history and theoretical practice-focused module assessments that require evidence-informed critical thinking. You are also asked to reflect on how personalised nutrition and lifestyle medicine applies within your own profession’s boundaries of practice.
“The Postgraduate Diploma Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine provides a unique opportunity to gain an advanced understanding of functional medicine and nutrition science, alongside the practical skills required to apply this knowledge in diverse clinical and professional settings. Through a flexible online learning environment, students engage in case-based learning and innovative teaching methods that foster critical appraisal of research, effective management of complex health challenges, and facilitation of sustainable behaviour change. Graduates are equipped to make a meaningful impact in the world of health and nutrition.”
Paula Werrett
MProf, BA (Hons), Pg Cert HE, Dip ION, Dip DM, SFHEA, FHEA, fBANT, CNHC
Acting Dean
Your benefits
At ION, we are dedicated to supporting your success throughout your studies and beyond. As a student with us, you’ll gain access to a range of benefits designed to enhance your learning experience, support your wellbeing, and prepare you for a rewarding career in personalised nutrition.
Your benefits include:
University of Portsmouth Student Union membership
Job notifications and graduate placements
Discounts at health food shops, supplement and testing companies
Academic prizes
University of Portsmouth Alumni discounts on further study
Dedicated Academic Support
University of Portsmouth library access
Pastoral Support and Guidance from level leaders
Exclusive discounts on select ION offerings and products
Graduate stories
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Course information
Entry requirements
Requirements for this course are:
UK applicant
Level 6 (or equivalent) qualifications
- First degree in health sciences or similar with practice (for those doing the clinical practice option)
- First degree in health sciences or similar (for those doing this course without the clinical practice)
Overseas applicant
(in addition to above)
English qualification
- English IELTS Level 7 qualification
OR
- C1 Advanced – Cambridge English
Other requirements
- Competent IT skills
- Microsoft Office software package and proficiency in its use
- Computer (Mac or PC) with reliable internet connection
- Access to smartphone for multi-factor authentication
- Clinical attendance (for those doing the clinical practice option)
- Time management skills
Approximately 20 (part-time) to 30 (full-time) hours a week to study - Be fit to study and committed to succeed!
Study pathway
This course provides you the following pathway
Level 6 (or equivalent) degree in health sciences or similar
Choose to study (A) with or (B) without Clinical Practice component
Postgraduate Diploma Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine
Nutritional Therapist
Masters Top-up (TBA)
Doctor of Philosophy
Fees
Fees for this course are listed below. Fees for subsequent years may increase in line with inflation. Fees do not include BANT student membership.
Course facts
Award
Postgraduate Diploma Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine
Credits
120
Study mode
Online
Entry dates
Part-time option
February
Credit stacking (conditions apply)
February, May, or September
Full-time option
February
Duration
Part-time option
2 years
Full-time option
1 year
Course code
Part-time option
TBA on course validation from University of Portsmouth
Full-time option
TBA on course validation from University of Portsmouth
Course bodies
Awarded & Validated by
University of Portsmouth – To be confirmed
Accredited by
Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC)
British Accreditation Council (BAC)
Registered with
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)
Good to know
- Credit Stacking – each module can be taken as a Credit Bearing Short Course and stacked over a maximum of five years. The accumulated credits can be converted to the final award, Postgraduate Diploma Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine
- On completion of this course, students can opt to complete the Applied Clinical Practice Credit bearing short course (30 credits), enabling membership with the professional body, BANT, and regulator registration with the CNHC (Subject to accreditation and upon application of personal references).
- Alternatively, students can progress to a Masters. Our MSc Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Practice (top-up) is currently being validated by the University of Portsmouth and will launch in 2028.
- Postgraduate Diploma Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine is subject to validation by the University of Portsmouth.
- If you would like to make a formal complaint to the BAC please click here
Next steps
Ready to apply or need help? Use the links below or get in touch with our friendly recruitment team.
