Course Overview
Unfortunately, you are only eligible for a free course with UCS College Group if you live in Somerset, Dorset or Wiltshire. Your postcode will be checked after you make an application, so if you live outside of these counties, please find an alternative provider.
This qualification aims to increase understanding of the principles of healthy eating and the role of food in maintaining health, increase confidence in planning and achieving a healthy diet, provide an understanding of how an individual’s dietary requirements change throughout their life, provide an understanding of food labelling and the availability to use information from food labels, provide information on eating disorders and increase understanding of the role of a healthy diet for weight management.
As part of this course you will study six mandatory units:
Unit 1 – Explore principles of healthy eating
- Understand how diet is linked to health
- Understand the components of a healthy diet
- Know the nutrients in food and their role in maintaining health
- Understand the principles of healthy preparation.
Unit 2 – Consider nutritional needs of a variety of individuals
- Know the nutritional needs of children and young people
- Know the nutritional needs of older people
- Understand special dietary requirements
- Understand barriers to healthy eating.
Unit 3 – Planning a healthy diet
- Understand food labelling
- Understand food additives
- Apply principles of healthy eating.
Unit 4 – The principles of weight management
- Know the risks associated with ineffective weight management
- Understand how body image may influence weight management
- Know about effective methods of weight management
- Be able to plan a short-term weight management programme for an individual.
Unit 5 – Understanding eating disorders
- Understand the term ‘eating disorder’
- Understanding the causes of eating disorders
- Understand how an eating disorder may affect the individual and others
- Understand how a specific eating disorder may be managed.
Unit 6 – Principles of food safety for the home environment
- The importance of handling food safely
- The importance of personal hygiene when handling food
- How to store food safely
- How food storage can affect the nutritional value of food
- How to keep the food work area clean
- How to check food is cooked to the correct temperature
- How to dispose of food waste safely.
Assessment Methods
Assessments are due at the end of each unit. Your tutor will assess your work and build up your portfolio of evidence of learning. A certificate will be awarded on satisfactory submission of evidence of learning for all units.
Progression Options
UCS College Group provides a range of professional Online Learning qualifications which can be achieved at different stages throughout your career, and at varying levels, providing clear progression routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply directly on any of the UCS College Group websites, whether you wish to study at Bridgwater College, Cannington College, Strode College, or Taunton College. Simply use our “Find a Course” feature and follow the on-screen instructions – be sure to have your important information to hand.
We aim to offer a careers service that is accessible to everyone. We will seek to equip all our students with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively, and independently in life and work. All students have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor for 1:1 career support.
The Student Experience Team can mentor and signpost students who are struggling with a range of issues that are negatively impacting their day-to-day life. The Student Experience Team works closely with the Safeguarding & Lifestyle Teams to promote proactive wellbeing enrichment sessions. The team can refer on to counselling when appropriate.
We provide top-quality workshops and teaching areas across our Colleges for subjects such as art, design and media, hair and beauty, catering, automotive engineering and construction. You can review our campus facilities by navigating to the “College Life” section of our websites.
For us, the success of our students always comes first. By investing in our built environment, we are investing in your future.
All of our students will have a personal tutor to support them with their academic progress and personal development. The tutorial programme consists of 1:1 support, group tutorials and guest speakers, plus targeted online resources which complement the UCS College Group Advantage scheme.
The Safeguarding Team can offer advice and guidance on anything that may be affecting your young person and their studies – no problem is too big or too small!
Please email our Safeguarding team at staysafe@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk. If you query is urgent, please come to the College Reception and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.
If you cannot find an answer to your question in this FAQ section, you can ask us a question by visiting our Contact Us page.
