This flexible micro-credential is designed for anyone who has graduated from an allied health professional course or clinical background such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational, therapists and other HCPs. Professionals working in the healthcare industry with exercise prescription experience, or academics in research environments are also more than welcome to apply.
Advancing Healthcare: Optimising Nutrition
Overview
| Subject Area | Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics |
| Credits | 5 |
| NFQ | 9 |
| EFQ | 7 |
| Start Date | 8th September 2025 |
| Duration | 10 Weeks |
| Mode of Delivery | Online, On-demand |
| Course Leader | (opens in a new window)Dr. James Matthews |
| Fee | Full Fee: €682.50 *Subsidised Fee: €341.25 *50% Learner Fee Subsidy for eligible learners (Please see below) |
| Application Deadline | 7th September 2025 Register your interest for the next intake: (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie |
Nutrition is fundamental to our physical and mental health, and wellbeing. The Advancing Healthcare: Optimising Nutrition micro-credential will introduce healthcare professionals (HCPS) to key, evidenced-based, nutrition concepts across the lifespan. It will enhance knowledge and ability to provide safe, basic nutritional advice and awareness about screening and referrals in situations requiring more specialist interventions. In Ireland, it is estimated that one quarter of the population are affected by cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic disease, with two thirds of the population living with overweight or obesity. Globally, a poor diet is one of the leading risk factors for preventable diseases. Most non-nutrition HCPs will come into contact with individuals and groups requiring guidance on optimal nutrition and/or cases requiring clinical nutrition input. HCPs will also play a key role in implementing and embedding integrated care programmes across the health services.
This micro-credential will allow the learner to advance their knowledge of nutritional care to complement other approaches in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and their complications. The learner will also develop skills that can support individuals to make meaningful dietary changes in their lives.
Testimonial
Dr. Elaine Mooney, Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics in St. Angela's College, Sligo
"If you want to update your nutritional knowledge with a strong team of academics delivering up to date evidence-based research then this is the micro-credential for you. I found this module so interesting and the fact that I was able to undertake it in my own time and at my own pace made it even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for CPD in the area of nutrition, diet and health."
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this micro-credential, you will be able to;
- Appraise the key policy documents used by HCPs to provide an evidence base for nutrition guidelines and chronic disease prevention and management across the life cycle.
- Understand and analyse nutritional and dietary requirements and adequacy at each stage of the life cycle.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the common chronic conditions that require nutritional intervention.
- Translate and apply current nutrition guidelines into practical nutrition strategies to promote health.
- Appraise evidence for sustainable and healthy dietary patterns for individuals and groups.
- Identify and apply key behaviour change techniques to dietary behaviour change in healthcare settings.
- Fundamental principles of nutrition guidelines for healthy growth and development.
- Optimising nutrition intervention(s) in chronic disease prevention and management in early adulthood.
- Optimising nutrition intervention(s) in chronic disease prevention and management in mid-late adulthood.
- Optimising nutrition intervention(s) in chronic disease prevention and management in older adulthood.
- Translating nutrition recommendations into practice.
- Understanding drivers of food choice and supporting dietary behaviour change.
- Sustainable and healthy dietary patterns.
- Case studies across the life span.
This micro-credential has been developed by experts in the field of clinical nutrition with up-to-date information in a fast-moving field.
The graduates of this course will hold a micro-credential,
The increased understanding gained from this course may also contribute to improved performance or new innovations in your line of work, in addition to optimising the health of the clients in your field of practice.
This micro-credential is designed to be completed independently, in your own time. This on-demand learning can empower potential students who may be working in industry or in part-time jobs with moving hours to fit this course into their schedule. The course is made up of a series of interactive online lectures, which are complemented by online resources such as papers, videos, and transcripts of the lessons.
This course is 5 ECTS, requiring approximately 100 hours of learning in total.
Applicants should have a BSc (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) or MSc (NFQ Level 9 or international equivalent) in a Regulated Health Professions Degree from a recognised Irish or international third-level institution and/or be eligible for registration with the relevant Professional Body e.g. CORU, IMC or NMBI as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, doctor, etc.
Professional experience in exercise prescription or related healthcare environments is also considered.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proof of English proficiency as per UCD's minimum English language requirements.
All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- MCQ exam
- Written assignment
- Reflective assignment
Feedback individually to students, post-assessment.
The School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science's Advancing Healthcare: Exercise Prescription and Advancing Healthcare: Behaviour Change Principles for Healthy Living micro-credentials may also be of interest to learners.
Please note: Learners can avail of only one form of funding per application.
Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy-Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3
The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning through micro-credentials. The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy is funded by Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
HCI Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidies are available on identified micro-credentials only from March 2024 until October 2025. Funded places are limited and course providers will administer the subsidy on a first come first serve basis.
Please see Eligibility Criteria for further information.
If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.