Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition

1. Describe concepts relevant to the science underlying health and well -being
2. Analyse health, food and nutrition information relating to common diet related problems
3. Review information and communicate approaches to basic illness prevention and health promotion
4. Identify sociocultural factors that influence food intake and security

Your career in nutrition is waiting. Let's begin.

The world is waking up to the powerful role of nutrition. We know nutrition science is key to both individual wellbeing and creating a happier and healthier society.

If you're keen for a new career, our Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition could be the right next step.

Gain a foundation in nutrition, including food types, body composition, anatomy and chemistry. You'll also be equipped with essential attributes sought by employers, such as how to solve problems creatively, work collaboratively and communicate effectively. They're tools you'll use over a lifetime.

Get started with the basics and explore your next opportunities such as a guaranteed pathway into a La Trobe Bachelor of Food and Nutrition, so you can enter your degree with credit and open more doors to your future career.

We'll be with you whenever you need, helping you through enrolment, study or your options to take it further with a Bachelor's degree.

You'll learn:

• Health and nutrition
  • Understand the major food sources and the functions of macronutrients and micronutrients. Learn the principles of energy balance.
• Foundational chemistry
  • Get an introduction to the chemistry of the human body. Understand chemical bonding and reactions using real-life examples.
• Essential attributes
  • Develop your writing, problem-solving and presentation skills. Learn how to communicate complex ideas and think critically.
• Digital literacy
  • Discover how to source information, communicate, collaborate and use technology.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 5.

Recommended study pattern

Students are recommended to study the following sequence of subjects:

1. Essentials of Chemistry (CHM111)
2. Introduction to Nutrition (DTN111)
3. Individual Determinants of Health (PHE112)
4. Introduction to Human Physiology (HBS100)

What you need to know:

• This Certificate is part of the Commonwealth Government’s Job Ready Graduates Package, supporting you to upskill or retrain in fields of national priority.
• This scheme was introduced to support students, and the recently unemployed, to undertake higher education to prepare our nation and workforce to move out of recession, and will help Australians to retrain and upskill in national priority areas including teaching, health, science, information technology and agriculture.
• The Government has provided 50,000 higher education short course Commonwealth-support places (CSPs) across a range of disciplines.
• If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a CSP. That means you’ll be able to defer payments through HECS-HELP.  Standard HECS-Help criteria applies
• Commonwealth funding under this short course initiative is only available for 2021. It is strongly recommended enrolment is for full time study to meet these conditions.
• If your study continues beyond December 2021 you will continue to be enrolled on a Commonwealth supported basis in 2022.   
• You will be awarded an Undergraduate Certificate.
• Subjects successfully completed in the Certificates can be used towards an existing AQF qualification, meaning you are already part of the way through completing another higher education qualification when you complete your Certificate.  

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition, students must complete 60 credit points as follows:

60 core credit-points.

Students who have been accepted in a Commonwealth Supported Place in the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition are required to complete the following 2 modules in their first Study Period as a CSP student:

• LTU0AIM Academic Integrity Module
• ABS0WOM Wominjeka La Trobe: Indigenous Cultural Literacy for Higher Education

Each Module takes around 1 hour to complete. You will find these modules in your La Trobe University Learning Management System (LMS). You can log into the La Trobe University LMS using the username and password provided to you in your Welcome to La Trobe University letter.

For further information about AIM and Wominjeka at La Trobe, please click here.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $3,972

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Learn more about La Trobe University.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

17

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

15

Successful completion of at least the equivalent of 1 semester of higher education full time study within the last 10 years;

OR

Successful completion of two of these four Open University units:

• HBS101 Introduction to Human Physiology;
• DTN101 Introduction to Nutrition;
• CHM101 Essentials of Chemistry; or
• PHE102 Individual Determinants of Health.

Applicants who do not satisfy Year 12 with relevant English pre-requisite, or have not completed at least the equivalent of 1 semester of higher education full time study within the last 10 years must sit the STAT Multiple Choice.

Applicants must have successfully completed year 12 and met the prerequisite.

Pre-requisite

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

*Tertiary Education Ranking scores must also have been within the past five years. If the period has been longer potential students are encouraged to complete a STAT Multiple Choice.

NB: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to Year 12 completion and English prerequisite. VET studies at Certificate IV level or above within the last five years.

Applicants who have not undertaken VET studies at Certificate IV level or above within the last five years must sit the STAT Multiple Choice.

Applicants must have successfully completed year 12 and met the prerequisite. This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

La Trobe University, will consider applications for advanced standing, or credit for prior study. Credit may be applied to a current degree if you have undertaken previous tertiary study and completed and passed subjects similar in content and standard to those offered at La Trobe, from either another recognised tertiary institution or a different La Trobe course.

Note: Applications for advanced standing will not be considered until you have successfully been admitted to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition through OUA.

Assessing whether you should apply for advanced standing for subjects in the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition

Advanced standing may be granted for relevant subjects in the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition. The following steps will help you to decide which subjects you wish to apply for:

1. Identify subjects within the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition that you think align with subjects you have already studied and have completed within less than 8 years prior to the application.
2. Look at the year in which the subject will be taught within the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition – this is indicated by the code of the subject (i.e. DTN102 Applied Food Chemistry is a first year subject as indicated by the '1' after the letters of the subject code). Make sure that the subjects that you have already studied have the same or a higher code.
3. Look closely at the subject content for each subject identified in the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition and ensure that it is at least a 75% match to the subject you would like to submit for assessment for advanced standing.
4. Provide subject outlines with detailed information for each subject that you wish to submit for assessment for advanced standing, identifying which subject within the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition that you have identified as a match. Include subject learning outcomes/objectives and subject content for each subject.
5. Provide a certified copy of your academic transcript for your previous studies.

*Note that a subject studied can only be used once for advanced standing.

Applying for advanced standing/credit

Applications for advanced standing will be considered by a course coordinator at La Trobe University following successful admission to the Undergraduate Certificate of Food and Nutrition via OUA. The advanced standing/credit application form can be obtained by clicking the link below:

La Trobe Advanced Standing Application Form 

Once you have completed the advanced standing application form, and have all relevant supporting documentation, please submit your completed application and supporting documents to ASK La Trobe via ask a question.

In order to participate successfully in this course students must have reliable internet access.

In this course you will be required to complete cooking and food science practicals/assessment tasks in your own kitchen or one you arrange to access. You will need to purchase ingredients and have access to standard kitchen equipment including a digital thermometer and digital scales. Cooking or handling foods from across all food groups (including red meat, eggs and milk) is part of the required coursework. Sensory analysis requiring the tasting of food, is at your discretion to accommodate special dietary requirements. Students should direct any questions to the course coordinators prior to enrolment.