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 or chemistry
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
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Volunteering
For healthcare roles, you'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in the NHS before you apply for a course.
Contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.
You could also consider work experience in sectors like;
- food safety
- animal welfare
- food poverty charities
- sport and fitness
- food manufacturing
- university research laboratories
You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.
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Career tips
You could take a short course to help you decide whether this is the right career for you. You can find details from the Association for Nutrition and FutureLearn.
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.