Graduate Diploma
Integrative Functional Nutrition
EARLY BIRD ENDS:
11 November
2025
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APPLICATION DEADLINE:
15 January
2026
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START DATE:
2 February
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DURATION:
1 year full-time /
2 years part-time
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VALIDATING INSTITUTION:
University of
Portsmouth
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Integrate personalised nutrition into your current practice
This case-focused course is designed for medical professionals, allied healthcare practitioners and CAM practitioners who want to integrate personalised nutrition and lifestyle advice within their non-clinical work or clinical practice.
You’ll enhance your current practice by adding personalized nutrition and lifestyle advice, identifying root causes sooner with functional testing, and speeding client recovery with targeted supplementation. Broaden your practice reach and expand your patients’ options. Additionally, all modules can be taken as short, non-credit-bearing courses without assessment.
You’ll explore dietary, nutraceutical and lifestyle approaches to optimise health, and learn how to appraise available tools to collect and interpret client data and elicit behaviour change.
On this page
Course background
Course information
Course background
What you'll study
You’ll explore functional nutrition and behaviour change in nutrition and lifestyle practice. You’ll advance your expertise in modulating neuroendocrine, immune, detoxification, gastrointestinal, and cardiometabolic function. An optional clinical practice module further refines your skills for professional application.
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.
Lecturer's view
“’The Graduate Diploma in Integrative Functional Nutrition offers a comprehensive understanding of Nutritional Therapy theory and practice equipping students with knowledge and skills to assess, manage and support clients with various health conditions. This flexible programme combines academic rigour and in-depth case studies ensuring graduates make a meaningful impact in the field of nutrition.”
Kelly Hopley
BA Hons BANT CNHC IFM QTS
Graduate Diploma Lead
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
Training Clinic
As a nutritional therapist you’ll face complex cases, varied personalities, and the weight of clients’ expectations.
ION provides you with everything needed to prepare for a client, otherwise known as a clinical setting.
Training clinics are the final part of a student’s journey – the chance to consolidate knowledge and develop strong people skills. It sets the foundation to becoming an effective therapist, making real, positive changes in people’s lives.
What can you expect in training clinic?
Diverse cases: Real clients and real skills.
Remote consultations: Practice from home with peer and supervisor support.
Courage and confidence: Work with UK clients and recommend tests and supplements.
“ION was an essential part of my training for my career; it taught me fundamental clinical skills and I left feeling prepared to set up my own clinic in Chelsea.”
Lily Soutter BSc, MSc, ANutr
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
- 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
Graduate Diploma Integrative Functional Nutrition
(A) BANT registration as associate member (B) Nutritional Therapist
Masters degree
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
Graduate Diploma Integrative Functional Nutrition
Credits
120 + 20 credits for Clinical Practice module
Study mode
Online
Entry dates
Part-time option
February
Credit stacking (conditions apply)
May or September
Full-time option
February
Duration
Part-time option
2 years
2 ½ years with Clinical Practice module
Full-time option
1 year
1 ½ years with Clinical Practice module
Course code
Part-time option
C0502PTD
Full-time option
C0502FTD
Course bodies
Awarded & Validated by
University of Portsmouth
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 four years. The accumulated credits can be converted to the final award, Graduate Diploma Integrative Functional Nutrition.
Next steps
Ready to apply or need help? Use the links below or get in touch with our friendly recruitment team.
