As growing evidence continues to emerge about the importance of eating well – and the consequences of ignoring our diet – it’s no surprise that an increasing number of people are looking at how to become a nutritionist. Being able to help people live a healthier life and give them the tools they need to improve their diet can be part of a rewarding career, and one that can prove incredibly successful too.
The route to ‘becoming’ a nutritionist can be a varied one and there are many pathways into the profession. At The School of Health we offer naturopathic nutrition courses that focus on the whole person and the root cause of illness, and blend traditional wisdom with the latest scientific thinking. We offer a range of online courses to help those looking to expand on their knowledge – from beginner to therapist level.
What does studying nutrition involve?
Nutrition is the study of how food and drink affects our bodies with special regard to the essential nutrients necessary to support human health. It looks at the physiological and biochemical processes involved in nourishment and how substances in food provide energy or are converted into body tissues.
Good nutrition means obtaining the right amount of nutrients from healthy foods in the right combinations. An important part of the study of nutrition is looking at diseases that can result from malnutrition and the role that food plays in the development of chronic disease.
What does the School of Health offer?
We offer four courses in nutrition, each at a different level so you can find the ideal course that suits your needs: Beginner, Advisor, Therapist and Therapist Advanced. This stepping-stone programme means that you can move seamlessly onto the next level as you complete each course. After a year of study you can set up as a Nutrition Advisor with registration and insurance and (if you wish) start seeing clients while you continue with your studies in years two and three.
What makes many people want to become a nutritionist?
Many people spend time creating a career and nurturing family and then come to a point where they feel they have unanswered questions about their life. Maybe they want to find a better balance in life and work for themselves, or maybe they want to improve their own health and wellbeing? Many people are drawn to studying nutrition due to a desire to help other people make the best of themselves, to give them the tools to create a healthier lifestyle. Whatever your reason for taking a course, our aim at The School of Health is to listen fully and to provide you with sound information. This will enable you to make a good, well- informed decision about your future.
Do you have the required skills?
You don’t need to have any specific prior experience or training to enrol with us. But you do need to be willing to study, and being self-motivated and organised is also pretty vital. If you already have training in anatomy and physiology you may be eligible for exemption from that section of the course. If not we provide a 175 hour course in anatomy and physiology you can complete alongside your nutrition study.
Will I be eligible for registration with a nutrition association?
Our Nutrition Therapist course is fully accredited by the Federation of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners. This means that upon completion of the course you will be entitled to join the FNTP as a full member, gain insurance through them and join their register of professional members, allowing members of the public to search for you. Those who complete all three years are also eligible to join the Naturopathic Nutrition Association. Many of our students also continue on to study a forth year in naturopathy to become a naturopath ND.
What about clinical training?
Students complete assessed cases in each module of the course – they gain clinical observation hours via monthly online clinics, attend a two-day event in the first year and a four-day event in year two and three, and for those that continue into year three they also go into clinical supervision working with their own clients under the guidance of a supervisor. All this adds up to a highly flexible online course with in-depth clinical training that will ensure you graduate as a competent and confident nutritionist.
How long does it take to become a nutritionist?
Our Nutrition Therapist course can be started at any time and you set your pace of study. To complete the Nutrition Advisor Course in one year you will require about 14-16 hours per week. If you can commit more than this you will probably be able to complete the course in less time. The course includes online webinars, discussion groups, clinics and tutor group meetings. As part of your training with us you will also be required to attend a two or four-day clinical workshop in Stroud, Gloucestershire, so you’ll need to take into account whether you’ll be able to attend this. Stroud is very accessible with a direct connection to London.
What will it cost?
As a rough idea you need to budget around £2k per year for the nutrition courses with The School of Health. Our courses lead to registration and insurance with leading UK professional bodies. The beginner course is less than £300.
About the School of Health
The School of Health serves its students from Gloucestershire, England, with a network of over 40 course teachers, mentors and supervisors.
It offers a huge range of courses including those in nutrition, homeopathy, herbal medicine, yoga and naturopathy and two medical science courses: anatomy and physiology, and pathology and disease.
The School of Health and The School of Homeopathy are the sponsors for the Health & Wellbeing Awards 2024. To find out more visit schoolofhealth.com or homeopathyschool.com
