Curriculum

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Nutrition allows you to study for just six months and is a part-time, online course. The certificate is worth 60 credits and comprises three modules of 20 credits, each running over a period of six weeks.

Year 1

Module Aims
This module develops advanced understanding of the fundamentals of sports and exercise nutrition in a variety of settings, enabling students to evaluate and apply evidence-based nutritional strategies for optimising athletic performance, recovery, and body composition through macro/micronutrient manipulation, hydration protocols, and strategic meal timing.

Module Content

  • Fundamentals of Sports Nutrition and Energy Systems
  • Macronutrients in Sports Performance: Timing, Type, and Amount
  • Micronutrients and Their Role in Exercise Metabolism
  • Hydration Strategies and Electrolyte Balance
  • Body Composition Assessment and Nutrition Planning
  • Recovery Nutrition and Meal Timing

Learning Outcomes

  1. Critically appraise current scientific evidence on macronutrient and micronutrient functions and requirements in sport and exercise settings, to formulate context-specific, evidence-informed nutritional strategies for performance, recovery, and body composition, within the learner’s professional scope of practice.
  2. Design and evaluate personalised nutrition interventions that integrate hydration protocols, body composition assessment, and nutrient timing, to support exercise metabolism and recovery in varied populations, recognising the limits of one’s own scope of practice.

Module Aims
This module develops clinical competencies and perspectives in sports nutrition, enabling students to assess, design and implement evidence-based nutritional interventions for diverse populations, with particular focus on managing common medical conditions within specific groups of the sports/fitness subjects, and optimising nutrition across different physiological states and recovery scenarios.

Module Content

  • Nutritional Assessment and Care Planning in Athletes
  • Managing Medical Conditions in Athletic Populations
  • Female Athlete Considerations and RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport)
  • Performance Nutrition for Different Body Compositions
  • Ageing Athletes and Masters Sports Nutrition
  • Injury Recovery and Rehabilitation Nutrition

Learning Outcomes

  1. Integrate and critically evaluate physiological, clinical, and nutritional data to develop comprehensive care plans that address health and recovery goals in athletic populations with varying medical conditions, within the learner’s scope of professional practice.
  2. Design and justify evidence-based nutrition interventions tailored to diverse athlete populations, considering physiological and performance-related factors related to the learner’s scope of practice.

Module Aims
This final module develops advanced professional competencies in sports nutrition practice, enabling students to design, implement and evaluate evidence-based nutrition strategies across different sporting contexts, while critically appraising supplementation protocols and integrating contemporary nutritional approaches with athletic training cycles.

Module Content

  • Sport-Specific Nutrition Programming (Endurance vs. Power vs. Team Sports)
  • Supplementation in Sports: Evidence-Based Approaches
  • Competition Nutrition and Weight Management Strategies
  • Performance Testing and Nutritional Monitoring
  • Integrating Nutrition with Periodised Training Programmes
  • Contemporary Issues and Future Directions in Sports Nutrition

Learning Outcomes

  1. Design, implement, and critically evaluate sport-specific nutritional programmes, integrating evidence-based supplementation protocols and performance monitoring tools to optimise outcomes within the bounds of the learner’s professional scope of practice.
  2. Critically appraise and synthesise emerging research and contemporary debates in sports nutrition, to inform the development of innovative, periodised nutrition strategies that align with athletic training cycles and evolving professional practices.

Course Fees & Payment Options

Course Fees

  • Deposit for September 2025: £490
  • Total Course Fees (UK & International) for September 2025: £2,900 ††

Payment Options

  • Option 1: Upfront payment in full (discount available).
  • Option 2: Interest-free monthly payments throughout the course.

Payment Plan Breakdown

Postgraduate Certificate
Deposit5 Monthly Payments
£490 £482

Total payments: £2,900

Additional Financing

Spread the cost with Lendwise, who offer financing options for up to 8 years. ††††

† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
†††† Subject to eligibility criteria.

Entry requirements

English Requirements:

  • 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each band) -including expired
  • With a score of 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing (including Home Edition)
  • English grade C or above
  • Advanced (CAE): exams taken from January 2015- overall score of 169 with at least 162 in each component; exams taken before January 2015- Grade C and no less than borderline in each skill
  • English Language qualifications: ISE II Distinction or ISE III Pass
  • With a score of 64 overall and 59 in each component. Please note that where a UKVI SELT is not required, we can also accept the scores in the PTE Academic Online
  • B2 Communicator Exam with a high pass with a score of 33 in each component

Educational Requirements:

  • Possess a healthcare or sports degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant subject.
  • Students who possess a good undergraduate degree in broader subject areas are encouraged to apply, provided the applicant has 2 years + experience in sport/exercise space. For example, Personal Trainers who can demonstrate relevant experience.

Faculty

Partners

University of South Wales
University of South Wales

Frequently Asked Questions

For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.

As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.

Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.

Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.

When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.

You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.

You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.

The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.

We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.

Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.

Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.

All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:

We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.

We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.

We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.

We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.

Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales and The University of Wolverhampton accept an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).

Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:

Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.

Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every other month for the duration of your course.

These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.

We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount.

For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.

Who is this course for?

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Nutrition is designed for professionals who want to integrate advanced, evidence-based nutrition into their practice. With a balance of theory and real-world application, this programme is ideal for those working in healthcare, sport, fitness, and wellbeing who want to deliver better outcomes and accelerate their careers. This PG Cert in Sports and Exercise Nutrition is particularly relevant for:

Dietitians and Nutritionists: Professionals looking to strengthen their expertise in sports, rehabilitation, and performance nutrition to improve patient and client outcomes.

Physiotherapists and Rehabilitation Specialists: Practitioners aiming to incorporate nutrition strategies into recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term health planning.

Doctors, Nurses, and Allied Healthcare Professionals: Clinicians seeking to apply safe, effective nutrition advice in clinical and community health settings.

Personal Trainers and Strength & Conditioning Specialists: Fitness professionals who want to expand beyond training plans by offering science-based nutrition support that enhances results and credibility.

Athletic Coaches and Team Managers: Those working with athletes who need to apply performance-focused nutrition to maximise results and reduce injury risk.

Wellbeing Coaches and Corporate Health Consultants: Professionals focused on holistic health who want to add nutrition expertise to their services and stand out in a competitive market.

Performance Chefs: Specialists supporting athletes, clients, or groups through diet, performance, and wellness programmes.

Assessment Methods

This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.

Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.

Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.

How Foundational Knowledge is Developed

The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.

This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!

To assess students’ ability to engage deeply with weekly content, critically respond to real-world scenarios, and reflect on their learning journey in a structured, ongoing manner. This assessment structure closely aligns with USW’s Assessment for Learning Principles by embedding assessment within the learning process - the portfolio approach scaffolds reflection, peer interaction and evidence-based application across each module, making assessment continuous and developmental rather than separate and summative. Weekly case discussions and tutor prompts foster formative peer and tutor feedback, enhancing student learning through social and collaborative engagement. Structured reflections and flexible activity formats encourage autonomy and personalisation, helping students make meaningful connections to their own professional contexts.

Portfolio Elements (weekly over 6 weeks):

  • Case-Based Responses
    Each week, tutors post a real-world scenario. Students respond critically, drawing on relevant literature, personal experience, and group discussion.
  • Commentary on Weekly Videos
    Students identify and critique key takeaways from short, focused teaching videos.
  • Structured Weekly Reflections
    Students reflect on learning challenges and insights, focusing on how video content and case discussions influence their practice.

Interaction Format:

  • Students’ weekly activities are posted and submitted via the online Forum.
  • Tutors provide light-touch facilitation: posing weekly cases, offering prompts and clarifications, and encouraging peer-to-peer interaction.

Assessment Method:
The portfolio is marked holistically at the end of the module using a detailed rubric (see Appendix A) evaluating:

  • Breadth of Portfolio
  • Quality and clarity of written communication
  • Depth and relevance of analysis, use of referencing
  • Evidence of criticality
  • Contribution to peer discussions
  • Reflective insight and personal learning development

Purpose:
To foster creative, evidence-based application of knowledge through an individual or collaborative task with real-world relevance.

Examples can include:

  • Patient/client education poster or infographic
  • Evidence-informed blog or newsletter article
  • A personalised nutrition or exercise plan with rationale
  • Critical appraisal of an AI-generated response or public health campaign
  • Peer-review of another student’s work using a provided rubric

Assessment Details:

  • Format may be written, visual, or multimedia
  • Submitted in Week 6 of each module

Tutor Role:

  • Provide guidance and respond to student queries
  • Assess the activity using a clear marking rubrics