Postgraduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine
Validated by University of Buckingham
Our online, part-time Postgraduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine can be completed in just 6 months and is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to prevent, treat and manage chronic diseases, also known as noncommunicable disease (NCDs). This programme delivers up-to-date insights into the principles of lifestyle medicine, combining evidence-based strategies with practical applications tailored to diverse healthcare settings.
Engaging with a network of peers from around the world, you’ll participate in discussions that broaden your perspective and inspire innovative approaches to patient care. This multidisciplinary course encourages collaborative learning and the exploration of real-world applications, fostering a global understanding of health challenges and solutions.
Next intake: September 2025Key Facts
The international burden of chronic diseases is large, in fact within the US, chronic diseases have been found to be the leading causes of disability and death (CDC, 2022). Additionally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), noncommunicable diseases account for approximately 7 out of the top 10 leading causes of death globally (WHO, 2020), accounting for an estimated 41 million people every year which is equivalent to 74% of all global deaths (WHO, 2022). A lifestyle medicine certification will help students address these challenges through evidence-based interventions targeting diet, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social connections.
Over six months, this online lifestyle medicine certification offers tutor-led discussions and a comprehensive curriculum that enhances your expertise in research, communication, and practical problem-solving. Our lifestyle medicine course is designed to fit around your schedule and build your confidence and resilience, equipping you with the tools to implement lifestyle medicine principles effectively.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical and systematic knowledge of lifestyle medicine, skills in critical appraisal and application of knowledge for direct patient benefit/service development and future study.
- Apply lifelong learning and advanced problem-solving skills to practice in lifestyle medicine.
- Evaluate practice critically in relation to the evidence base in lifestyle medicine.
Validating partner
University of Buckingham
The University of Buckingham is the only independent university in the UK with a Royal Charter, and also one of the smallest with around 2,700 students, who study for honours degrees in two intensive years of study. The University houses its own medical school and was ranked first for student satisfaction in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by the Complete University Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.
As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.
Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.
Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.
When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.
You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.
You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.
The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.
We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.
Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.
Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.
Postgraduate Diploma courses
In order to be eligible for our Postgraduate Diploma courses you need to hold a medical degree or undergraduate degree in a health related science and be working within the field that you wish to study, as the course is designed to further your knowledge within your chosen subject and is not designed to introduce these as new topic areas.
We have two intakes a year in March and September. Click the following link for the up to date application deadlines and module dates: Module Dates.
The Action Taker Discount offers savings based on your programme: £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount. The Action Taker Discount will be applied to your final payment. To take advantage, act quickly after acceptance to secure your savings.
Next intake: September 2025 Key Facts
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Why Study a Lifestyle Medicine Postgraduate Certificate with Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
100% Flexible
Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.
Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Expert Led
All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.
Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.
Career Boosting
Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.
40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.
Who is this course for?
This Postgraduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine is designed for healthcare professionals looking to expand their knowledge in the increasingly prevalent subject of lifestyle medicine, and is particularly suited to:
General Practitioners (GPs):
Lifestyle Medicine equips GPs with specialised skills to become leaders in preventive care, enhancing their credentials and expanding their professional scope.
Physician Associates:
Knowledge of Lifestyle Medicine positions Physician Associates as valuable contributors to preventive care, increasing their impact and career opportunities in primary care.
Physicians:
Lifestyle Medicine enables physicians in fields like cardiology and endocrinology to broaden their expertise, boosting their career potential and patient outcomes.
Nurses:
This qualification enhances nurses’ ability to deliver advanced patient care, opening doors to leadership roles in health promotion and community health.
Dietitians / Nutritionists:
Specialising in Lifestyle Medicine strengthens dietitians’ and nutritionists’ profiles, allowing them to offer tailored interventions and expand their career horizons.
Physical Therapists / Exercise Physiologists / Osteopaths:
Expertise in Lifestyle Medicine enhances these professionals’ ability to integrate exercise-based care, positioning them as leaders in holistic health.
Pharmacists:
A background in Lifestyle Medicine empowers pharmacists to expand their role in patient counselling, adding a competitive edge to their career.
How Will I Learn?
You'll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform, which allows you to engage with clinical cases, complete assignments, and collaborate with fellow students at times that suit your schedule. There's no fixed timetable—simply log in daily to participate in the week's activities.
Learn through engaging discussion
Our teaching approach is highly interactive, using small groups of 10-20 students to foster a collaborative environment where you can engage in thoughtful discussions and receive guidance from your tutor. You'll have access to learning resources and discussion forums that encourage ongoing interaction and deeper engagement with the material.
Throughout your studies, you'll receive support from a dedicated expert tutor and our Student Support Team, ensuring you have the resources needed to navigate the course successfully.
Curriculum
Our online Lifestyle Medicine Postgraduate Certificate allows you to study for just six months and is a part-time, online course. The certificate is worth 60 credits and comprises three modules of 20 credits, each running over a period of six weeks.Aims of the module:
To enable students to master the foundations of lifestyle medicine and evidence-based nutrition while developing practical skills in nutrition assessment, physical activity prescription, and movement coaching. They will be able to integrate this knowledge to design and implement comprehensive, patient-centred programmes, underpinned by behavioural change principles and evidence-based practice.
Content summary:
- Principles of Lifestyle Medicine and Behavioural Change
- Foundations of Evidence-Based Nutrition
- Practical Nutrition Assessment and Coaching
- Physical Activity Science and Exercise Prescription
- Movement Programmes and Activity Coaching
- Integration and Implementation of Nutrition and Exercise Programmes
Learning outcomes:
- Critically synthesise the scientific principles of evidence-based nutrition and physical activity within the context of lifestyle medicine, evaluating their physiological, behavioural, and clinical implications for diverse healthcare settings.
- Evaluate and design comprehensive, patient-centred lifestyle interventions by critically analysing current research and developing contextually appropriate nutrition and physical activity strategies applicable to practice.
- Construct and professionally implement tailored nutrition assessment and physical activity interventions that demonstrate ethical, evidence-based practice within individual professional scopes, integrating behavioural change principles and adapting to specific patient needs and clinical contexts.
Aims of the module:
To equip students with an advanced understanding of sleep physiology, circadian mechanisms, and substance use patterns, developing expertise in assessing the impact of behavioural addictions in the digital age. Students will develop evidence-based skills to create personalised health optimisation strategies that integrate sleep science, behavioural modification, and recovery principles.
Content summary:
- Sleep Physiology and Circadian Rhythms
- Sleep Assessment and Optimisation
- Substance Use Patterns and Sleep Impact
- Assessment and Management of Substance Use
- Behavioural Addictions and Digital Health and Wellbeing
- Integrated Recovery and Personalised Health Planning
Learning outcomes:
- Critically analyse the distinct physiological, psychological, and environmental mechanisms underlying sleep disorders and substance use patterns, evaluating their individual and potential intersectional impacts on holistic health within the context of lifestyle medicine.
- Critically evaluate and design comprehensive, personalised health optimisation strategies by integrating insights from sleep and addiction science, behaviour modification, and evidence-based management principles.
- Construct and professionally implement targeted assessment and intervention protocols for sleep disorders and substance-related challenges, demonstrating the ability to develop evidence-based approaches that respect individuality and professional scope of practice.
Aims of the module:
To enable students to deeply comprehend the physiological, psychological, and social determinants of mental wellbeing. Students will gain expertise in mind-body interventions, stress management techniques, and building therapeutic relationships to facilitate holistic, community-driven lifestyle medicine programmes, integrating social prescribing and community-based support as core components of personalised health optimisation strategies.
Content summary:
- Stress Physiology and Mental Wellbeing
- Mind–Body Interventions and Stress Management
- Social Determinants of Health
- Building Therapeutic Relationships and Communities
- Social Prescription and Community Programmes
- Integration of Social Support in Lifestyle Medicine Practice
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationships between stress physiology, mental health, and social determinants of health, assessing their multifaceted effects on individual and population well-being within the framework of lifestyle medicine.
- Critically analyse and design holistic interventions that incorporate mind-body practices, social prescribing strategies, and evidence-based behavioural change techniques to address stress-related health challenges in diverse population settings.
- Develop and effectively apply context-specific therapeutic interventions that integrate stress management strategies, social support systems, and community-based health promotion methods tailored to individual and professional practice environments.
Assessment Methods
This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.
Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.
Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.
How Foundational Knowledge is Developed
The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.
This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!
This can be either a Group Activity or an Individual Activity:
Group activity
Designed to stimulate and test the students’ ability to work as a team in taking the subject area forward. A group task is set, the group elects a leader using the online forum and the leader allocates tasks to group members. The leader is responsible for managing, collating and submitting the activity (online) at the end of the module. The tutor provides formative guidance part way through the module and marks the assessment at the end.
Individual activity
Designed to stimulate and demonstrate personalised learning, creativity and problem solving with application to each student’s own practice area.
Examples of individual activities might include either a written assignment, developing an academic poster presentation, a blog or social media project.
All students must complete the same assignment for each module which is pre-determined by the Programme Leader before the modules commence.
Students are required to critically analyse clinically focused case-based scenarios, discussion threads and weekly questions posed by their tutors via the Academic Forum (an online discussion board) and designed to meet the module learning outcomes. Here, students make their own researched and referenced contributions and interact with the tutor and their fellow students. There is no didactic teaching, instead, students are posed questions and prompted to search the literature, read it critically and respond. Engagement is encouraged by the tutor prompting students to respond and the use of automated activity monitoring software.
At the end of each module, the tutor allocates marks to each student based on a marking rubric. The rubric takes into account the following elements:
· Promptness and initiative
· Delivery of post (spelling and grammar)
· The relevance of post and referencing
· Expression within the post
The online reflective journal is a learning portfolio that requires students to record and critically reflect on their learning. Reflection is an important aspect of the programme since the professionals will be able to spend time considering how their practice compares to the themes being discussed in the module. The tutor provides feedback to the student weekly and marks it at the end of the module. Reflective practice is a requirement for healthcare professionals for professional re-validation and professional development.
- Case problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination with multiple-choice questions directly test the reasoning and knowledge objectives of the module.
- The online exam is marked automatically.
- The examination tests related theory and problem-solving skills.
Entry requirements
Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis, but typically, applicants for the programme will:
- Possess an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject awarded by a UK university or overseas equivalent.
- Provide evidence in the personal statement as to how they can apply learning to a practical setting and reflect on practice.
- Basic IT skills (e.g. word processing, email and internet).
- If English is not the student’s first language they must hold an English language qualification.
English requirements:
- IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 or above.
- GMC / NMC (Nursing Midwifery Council) / GPhC / HCPC registered – with a licence to practise.
- Proof of study at a UK, USA, Australian, New Zealand or Canadian University or membership to a medical body from one of these countries.
Course Fees
Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.
| Date | Instalments | Up-Front Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | £840 | £2,520 |
| 1st May 2025 | £840 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £840 |
† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
Option 3: Lower your monthly payments by spreading the cost for between 2 and 8 years with a loan from our lending partner Lendwise*.
*Subject to eligibility criteria.
Learna | Diploma MSc has a partnership with Lendwise which is a leading private student loan provider, to help UK students fund their course fees should they require financing. Lendwise is a UK-based education finance platform through which candidates can fund their postgraduate and professional qualification studies at leading educational institutions.
A Lendwise loan comes with a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan (between 2 and 8 years) and no early repayment penalties. The interest rate offered will depend on the overall applicant profile and the application process is entirely online.*
*Other sources of funding are available.
Learna | Diploma MSc does not offer financial advice, recommend or endorse any financial product. You should always check the suitability of the product that is of interest to you. If you are in any doubt as to its suitability, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice.
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Why Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online diploma courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
Our courses are some of the most affordable of their kind, providing value for money without compromising on quality. We also don't apply an international surcharge. No fixed timetable means you can log in & learn on the go, at your convenience.
Being totally online means we can select the very best tutors and resource editors, no matter where they’re located.
Connect with multidisciplinary people around the world to expand your insights & broaden your career prospects.
Our programmes produce 90% fewer emissions than campus-based learning.
