Nutritionist

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

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.

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.

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

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

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