Welcome to our new website! To provide a stable and secure experience we are turning on services and departments gradually. Some pages will be unavailable or the content incorrect. This site is currently best viewed on desktop. Please bear with us and continue to check back regularly. If you require immediate assistance please call us on 020 8614 7800 or email info@ion.ac.uk.
Welcome to our new website! To provide a stable and secure experience we are turning on services and departments gradually. Some pages will be unavailable or the content incorrect. This site is currently best viewed on desktop. Please bear with us and continue to check back regularly. If you require immediate assistance please call us on 020 8614 7800 or email info@ion.ac.uk.
Yes, by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC); the professional standards council for Nutritional Therapy in the UK.
The Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC) accredits courses against the National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Nutritional Therapy and the CNHC Core Curriculum. The National Occupational Standards were developed and are updated by Skills for Health, which is the Sector Skills Council for the healthcare sector. By choosing to study with ION, you are ensured high-quality education and training.
The BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy course is validated by the University of Portsmouth. This means the degree learning outcomes have been reviewed by the University of Portsmouth and met its criteria for university credit ratings. On successful completion of the BSc (Hons) course you will graduate with a degree from the University of Portsmouth.
Since ION was founded by Patrick Holford in 1984, it has established itself as one of Europe's leading providers of education in nutritional therapy. The Institute is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) and BSc (Hons) courses are accredited by NTEC (Nutritional Therapy Education Commission). ION is very much a 'voice for nutrition' and is highly respected for both the nutritional and clinical excellence of its graduates.
ION graduates can register with BANT (British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine) and register with CNHC (Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council).
As an applicant you must demonstrate a broad general education including:
If you do not meet the requirements you will need to complete a relevant qualification (e.g. GCSE English/Maths, A Level science).
Prospective students who do not possess A Level science may wish to consider ION's Science Access course, which has been developed to specifically prepare you with the knowledge to support your nutritional therapy studies. The course consists of three modules: Chemistry, Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology.
We recommend you consider undertaking ION's Science Access course, which is delivered online. There are three cohorts throughout the year: October, January and May. The course has been specifically designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in the science required to study on the degree course. On completion, Science Access students are eligible to progress onto the BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy course. Please note that if you intend to apply for a place on a Science Access course, we recommend that you do so as early as possible as places on these courses are limited.
ION recognises previous achievements of students through recognised prior learning (RPL) both certified and experiential. If you have already studied relevant subjects at a higher education level and believe you have already achieved the learning outcomes of specific modules, you can apply for RPL. This requires you to send evidence either in the form of transcripts or a portfolio of experiential learning. The evidence will need to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes for the module(s) for which you are claiming RPL. Advice and support are given on the submission of evidence for RPL. Your application for RPL will then be assessed by the Admissions Board. Your application may be either agreed or rejected, or a request for further supporting evidence may be made.
Successful applications for RPL result in 'general credit' being awarded for the corresponding module(s) and you will be awarded a pass for these modules, but no grade is given.
ION provides a variety of support to cover your academic and pastoral needs. You will have a personal tutor and the support of a Level Leader. In addition, the Academic Support Tutor will run a series of webinars and workshops on a variety of academic subjects to support you. Should you require, there will be one-to-one and group tutorials to help you with specific aspects of academic work.
You will also be able to access the University of Portsmouth online academic support resources.
Yes. The BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy course is offered full time (3 years) and part-time (4.5 years).
We currently offer a number of optional attendance days.
Simply click on the "apply now" button on our website and complete the application form. This will start your application process
If you have any questions regarding your application contact our Course Advisor (+44) 020 8614 7800 who will be happy to help.
Our Course Advisor can provide all the information including entry requirements and how to apply. Contact (+44) 020 8614 7800.
Absolutely! To practise as a registered nutritional therapy practitioner in the UK you need to successfully complete an NTEC-accredited honours degree course. This will allow you to take out full membership with BANT and to apply for registration with the CNHC. By successfully completing the BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy course you will have completed an NTEC-accredited course. All that will remain is for you to upgrade your membership with BANT to full membership and apply for registration with the CNHC.
The course is recognised by a number of professional bodies. We recommend you join BANT (British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine) and, importantly, register with the CNHC (Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council).
The BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy course is delivered online with optional attendance days in Richmond, London.
We have a list of available accommodation in and near Richmond. Contact us for more information.
We understand that sometimes unexpected events occur and you may need to take a break from your studies. For example, the part-time BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy course is typically completed in 4.5 years but you are allowed, with extenuating circumstances, to extend your study period to a maximum of 8 years.
If you wish to discuss options for slowing down your pace of study, suspending or changing mode etc., you should speak to your Level Leader.
The BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy course is delivered online. Students are not required to attend optional attendance days in Richmond, London.
No. However, we know that you will want to be confident and competent practitioners with a valued qualification so there is, of course, assessment. The complexity of the assessments builds up gradually as you progress through the course. Clinical practice is assessed through observation of your work with clients.
Yes. ION has a full-time Academic Support Tutor who offers one-to-one support as well as webinars and workshops on study skills, essay writing, referencing and research. You will also be able to access the University of Portsmouth's online academic support tools.
As a BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy student you will have access to the University of Portsmouth library services and facilities. The library is available online and you will be able to access a wide range of journals, scholarly literature databases and eBooks. ION has a small reference library in Richmond. If you wish to book a study session with access to the library, please email info@ion.ac.uk.
You will need to complete the application form and provide evidence that you meet the entry requirements for your chosen course. You will need to attend an online interview. You will also need to provide a copy of your passport and a passport-sized photograph and proof of identity.
If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency at IELTS – (International English Language Test) grade 7.0 or above in each of the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
Once you are qualified as a registered nutritional therapy practitioner you will be expected to work professionally, sometimes liaising with other health professionals. It is therefore essential that you can communicate clearly and confidently and can write accurately and effectively.