Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition and Health

funded by uk government
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Learn to live a happier, healthier & better informed life…

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

What you’ll gain

funded by uk government

Fully funded through the UK Government’s Adult Skills Fund (ASF). No cost for eligible learners.

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition and Health

funded by uk government

Duration

Improve your nutrition knowledge in just 6–12 weeks.

Fully Accredited

Gain a nationally recognised, accredited Level 2 qualification.

Save £399

Fully funded for eligible adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).

Free online nutrition and health course with Level 2 certificate

Funding

100% online

Fast-track

Enrol online in under 10 minutes…

Adviser support

Free one-to-one advice and guidance…

About this free online course

The free online nutrition and health course is designed to introduce you to the principles of healthy eating and weight management. An accredited level 2 certificate is awarded on successful completion.

The training covers key topics like nutrition in the context of eating disorders and how to prepare food safely in a home environment. You will explore the effects of diet on the body and learn how to maintain a healthy diet that benefits both physical and mental wellbeing.

Why free nutrition courses are important

The number of obese people in the UK has more than trebled in the last 25 years, reaching what many doctors believe to be ‘epidemic’ proportions.

Insufficient nutrition can lead to a variety of health-threatening conditions; understanding the benefits of a balanced diet and the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease is fundamental.

Tutor Support

Learn in confidence with support from a qualified tutor throughout the course.

Development

Join thousands of learners in growing both professionally and personally.

Two-thirds of the British adult population are overweight, and 27% are living with obesity. ​

Source: NHS England

Course content

Your free course is split into manageable units.

There are no exams. You will complete assessment questions based on the skills and knowledge you have gained from the course units below…

Explore principles of healthy eating

This unit looks at how diet affects a person’s health.

Learners then look at how the 5 food groups contribute to a healthy diet and the role of different nutrients in maintaining health.

The final section provides learners with an understanding of healthy food preparation.

Consider nutritional needs of a variety of individuals

This unit encourages learners to look at how nutritional needs vary with age.

Learners gain an understanding of the special dietary requirements of people following a vegetarian diet, people with certain cultural requirements, and people with allergies.

They also gain an awareness of the factors that create barriers to healthy eating.

Use food and nutrition information to plan a healthy diet

In this unit learners gain an awareness of the information provided on food labels and how this may be used to help plan a healthy diet.

They will learn the facts behind nutritional claims on food labels and will consider the advantages and disadvantages of using food additives.

In the final section staff evaluate their own diet and make recommendations for improvement.

The principles of weight management

This unit aims to give learners an understanding of weight management and how to plan a short-term weight management programme.

Understanding eating disorders

In this unit the learner will understand different types of eating disorders,
how they develop, and their effect on health and wellbeing

Principles of food safety for the home environment

In this unit learners will understand food safety in a home environment.

They will investigate safe handling of food, food storage and food disposal.

They will also look at correct cooking temperatures to ensure food is safe to eat.

How it works

3 simple steps to qualification…

fast track online enrolment

Fast-track online enrolment

You can begin your stress-free journey to qualification by completing the short form on this page.

Once submitted, we’ll instantly match you with a relevant training provider based on your location to complete your enrolment.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Award-winning online learning

Enjoy a flexible and engaging learning experience through an award-winning online platform with support from a qualified tutor.

You can access first-class resources, interactive case studies, and support tools. All available on any device, anytime.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Gain an accredited qualification

Your nationally recognised level 2 certificate proves you’ve developed essential new skills and in-depth knowledge. The qualification is accredited by either NCFE or TQUK, depending on your location.

It’s a powerful personal achievement that boosts confidence, enhances employability, supports CPD and opens the door to further study or career progression.

free course learners with certificates

Learner testimonials

Watch recent video testimonials from our learners…

Funded by UK Government

The level 2 certificate is available online through one of our approved training provider partners, with the specific provider depending on your location.

The course is fully funded for eligible learners in England through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), formerly known as the Adult Education Budget (AEB), which supports adult learning and skill development across the country.

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Updated eligibility criteria

More people than ever now qualify for free courses…

Get free course advice

Our friendly course advisers are here to help you every step of the way.

Whether you have questions about eligibility, course details, enrolment, or need guidance, we’ve got you covered.

Talk to real people

Read our advisers’ Trustpilot reviews…

Great experience, Kelly explained the course to me over the phone in great detail. Thank you 😊

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Charlotte Redden

Kelly Addis was really helpful, engaging and knowledgable. She made the application process really easy.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Luke

I’m so happy that I applied for a free course. Kelly Addis has been extremely helpful.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Yvonne Hinckesman

Excellent customer service from Kelly Addis. Thank you for the easy steps.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Azalea O'Rourke

Mark was very professional, helpful, approachable, and very quick to respond to any queries I had.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Nicole Powell

I would like to thank Mark Bromwich for helping me on to a level 2 course. He made the process very easy.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Ben Hudston

Thank you to Mark Bromwich for being a friendly and helpful guide to start me on the road to achieving my next learning goals.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Shani Storrie

My advisor, Mark Bromwich, has been brilliant. Very responsive to questions and full of helpful information too.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Gill Clulow

Thank you Helen for the excellent support. I cannot recommend these courses highly enough.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Ali Gowe

Helen made me feel comfortable and helped me fully understand how to navigate through the course from the very start.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Heywood Similon

Excellent service with easy to follow instructions. Dealt with Helen Whitthread who was very professional and helpful.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Paul Griffiths

Helen Whitthread, as student advisor, was fabulous and helped with a very quick and efficient enrolment.

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Carla Johnson

Quick, easy and very friendly enrolment. Thank you Helen Whitthread

Free Online Nutrition and Health Course with Certificate

Stewart Flatters

How to get advice

You can go ahead and enrol online right away, but if you’d like a bit of extra support, choose the call or WhatsApp option when signing up below.

contact advisors

One of our friendly advisors will be in touch to check in and offer free one-to-one support with your enrolment.

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Ask Sam About This Course

Chat with Sam to check eligibility, understand funding, and see if this course is right for you — all in one place.

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step 1

Check Your Eligibility

*View visa restrictions

Funding isn’t available for Skilled Worker visas, Student visas, Graduate visas, Sponsorship (skilled/seasonal) visas, or any visa with a study restriction.

If this applies, you won’t be eligible for funding.

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FAQs

Is the Nutrition and Health course free?

If you meet the eligibility criteria then YES!

We connect you with learning providers that use government funding, in the form of the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the Adult Educational Budget (AEB).

What is a Level 2 nutrition and health qualification?

A Level 2 nutrition and health qualification is a certification that provides individuals with a basic understanding of nutrition and its impact on health. It covers topics such as the principles of healthy eating, the role of nutrients in the body, and the importance of a balanced diet.

This qualification is suitable for individuals interested in pursuing a career in nutrition or those who want to enhance their knowledge of healthy eating for personal reasons.

What can I do with a Level 2 nutrition and health qualification?

With a Level 2 nutrition and health qualification, you can pursue various career opportunities in the field of nutrition and health. This qualification provides a basic understanding of nutrition and its impact on health, covering topics such as healthy eating principles, nutrient roles, and the importance of a balanced diet.

While it serves as a solid foundation, it is important to note that higher-level qualifications may be required for certain careers. However, with a Level 2 qualification, you can start your journey towards a career as a nutrition assistant, health and wellness coach, community health worker, fitness instructor, or even work in the food industry.

It is a great starting point that can be further built upon through additional education and certifications to enhance your career prospects.

How long is the nutrition course?

The nutrition course typically takes 6-12 weeks to complete with an average of 5-10 hours of weekly study.

Is the nutrition qualification recognised by employers?

Yes, the nutrition course is accredited by UK government-recognised awarding bodies.

These include NCFE CACHE and TQUK, who ensure our courses meet approved standards of excellence and are certified as such.

NCFE CACHE and TQUK are national awarding organisations that design, develop, and certify nationally recognised qualifications and awards.

Ofqual regulates all qualifications and is the perfect way to boost any CV.

How many free online courses can I take?

You can only take one course at a time but you can take up to 7 in one academic year.

Do I need to sit an exam?

No, there are no exams, all courses require you to complete assessment questions based on the knowledge you have just gained from the units.

What qualification do you need to be a nutritionist?

To become a nutritionist, you typically need a relevant degree in nutrition or a related field. However, having a Level 2 nutrition and health qualification is a great place to start.

This certification provides a basic understanding of nutrition and its impact on health, covering topics such as healthy eating principles, nutrient roles, and the importance of a balanced diet. It can serve as a solid foundation for further education and career development.

What does a self employed nutritionist do?

A self-employed nutritionist is an individual who runs their own nutrition consulting or coaching business. They provide personalised nutrition advice and guidance to clients, helping them achieve their health and wellness goals through proper diet and nutrition.

As a self-employed nutritionist, you would assess clients’ dietary needs and health goals through consultations, develop customised meal plans and nutrition programs, provide education on healthy eating habits, monitor clients’ progress, offer ongoing support, and stay updated on the latest nutrition research.

Being self-employed allows for flexibility in setting hours, choosing clients, and determining rates, but also requires strong business and marketing skills.

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