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Nutritionist

Alternative titles for this job include

Nutritionists share scientific food knowledge and advice about the effects of diet and nutrition on health and wellbeing.

Average salary (a year)

£24,907 Starter

to

£37,890 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a nutritionist

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course

University

You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification approved by the Association for Nutrition.

Approved courses include:

  • food and nutrition
  • biochemistry
  • physiology
  • public health
  • health promotion

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in the NHS before you apply for a course.

You could also contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can register with the Association for Nutrition to join the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists for professional recognition.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in nutrition from the Association for Nutrition and Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of training and educating
  • customer service skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to read English
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As part of your day-to-day duties, you might:

  • undertake practical nutrition research projects
  • recruit volunteers to take part in trials
  • process and analyse biological samples
  • raise awareness and educate colleagues in the health field
  • aim healthy eating campaigns at particular groups

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre or at a GP practice.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could specialise in sports nutrition by taking a relevant postgraduate degree.

With experience, you could progress into management and policy development.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a nutritionist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE: Science

  • Provider: SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 13 September 2021
  • Location: Ipswich

Access to HE Science

  • Provider: BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE
  • Start date: 07 September 2021
  • Location: Poole
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Speak to an adviser

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  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

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