Advanced Cert Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition Practice

This programme is particularly targeted at Graduate registrants with the Sport & Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) who have some applied experience and are seeking to transition to Full Practitioner Registration with SENR. As such you will hold relevant undergraduate and post graduate qualifications that satisfy graduate registration with SENR.

In addition, you should be actively working or seeking to gain applied experience in sport and exercise nutrition service delivery. LBU may be able to provide some work placement opportunities, but this is not guaranteed.

Applications to this programme are limited, this is to ensure a high quality of supervision by the programme facilitators who have extensive industry and academic experience working in sport and exercise nutrition. To apply to the programme, you must complete the online application form. You will need to complete and upload the following documents with your application:

• Copy of undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
• Copy of postgraduate degree certificate and transcript
• An up-to-date CV

Note this programme does not guarantee practitioner registration with SENR as that is determined by application to SENR and the SENR registration panel, however the aims and outcomes of this programme are designed to provide practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and competences to make a successful application.

Additionally, whilst not guaranteed LBU will seek to explore opportunities to gain enhanced applied experience opportunities for those engaging in the programme with limited experience.

• What is supervision/benefits of supervision/ethics of supervision
• Self-evaluation and professional development/the importance of career-long learning/personal growth and problem solving
• Developing reflective practice in supervision
• Understanding the service/delivery environment/influencing without power
• Understanding scope of practice/developing referral networks
• Principles of quality control and quality audit/record keeping
• Working within an ethical framework/professional relationships and behaviours
• Developing a professional network

The programme delivery will utilise a mix of:

• two on campus workshop days
• monthly cohort workshop (online 90 mins)
• learning set engagement (online 90 mins)
• individual meetings with supervisor (online 45-60 mins)
• programme peer/buddy meetings (online negotiated)

Additional programme delivery information:

Pre-Orientation Day Activity week commencing: 13th October 2025

Orientation Day on Headingley Campus Saturday 1st November 2025, 9.30 - 4.30pm

Individual mentor meetings – timeslots negotiated to suit practitioner and supervisor

Online Workshops/Learning Set Meetings – Wednesday Evenings between 5.00 - 7.00pm

Problem Based Learning Sessions will be driven by the experiences of the practitioners’ current practice and reflect challenges and opportunities in practice development.

During engagement in the programme you will:

• Complete an audit against the SENR Competency Framework on commencement and completion of the programme and associated learning needs analysis (CPD plan) aligned to your audit
• Complete a supervised practice log in which you keep a record of preparation for, delivery of, and reflection on practice development
• Deliver a 20-minute presentation of reflection on key/critical incidents in practice development during the programme and plans for CPD towards submitting for Full Practitioner Registration

Programme fees are £1650

For this academic year this programme will be sponsored by Danone GetPro Professional who will be providing up to 10 bursaries of £500 to support the cost of course fees. Additionally, the British Dietetic Association Sport Nutrition Group will also be providing two £500 bursaries.

In recognition of this funding, recipients will be asked to write a short case study (300-500 words) on their experience on the programme, the impact on their own development and the impact they have had on the athletes they have worked with, a selection of which will be published on the LBU, BDA Sport Nutrition Group, and Get PRO Professional website.

This programme is particularly targeted at Graduate registrants with the Sport & Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) who have some applied experience and are seeking to transition to Full Practitioner Registration with SENR. As such you will hold relevant undergraduate and post graduate qualifications that satisfy graduate registration with SENR.

In addition, you should be actively working or seeking to gain applied experience in sport and exercise nutrition service delivery. LBU may be able to provide some work placement opportunities, but this not guaranteed.

Note this programme does not guarantee practitioner registration with SENR as that is determined by application to SENR and the SENR registration panel, however the aims and outcomes of this programme are designed to provide practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and competences to make a successful application.

Nigel Mitchell: A renowned sport dietitian with over 25 years of experience in clinical nutrition and elite sports, specialising in cycling and endurance sports. Nigel has worked with World Tour Cyclists for over 15 years and currently supports elite athletes such as the triathlon legends Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, British Athletics, Olympic Sailing, and the GB Cross Country Ski Team.  His achievements include leading the nutrition strategy for Team Sky in 2009 and providing support for Bradley Wiggins' historic Tour de France win in 2012, during his career he has supported over 30 Olympic and Paralympic medallists.  Throughout his career Nigel has been committed to the development of other practitioners. He is well respected as a mentor and supervisor, and he has helped develop some of today’s leading practitioners.

Louise Sutton: Renowned nationally and internationally for her work with the SENR, Louise is Head of Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University. With a background in sport science and clinical dietetics she has a particular interest in the practical application of sport dietetics in elite and extreme environments. She has applied her dietetic knowledge and skills into a range of contexts including Himalayan expeditions, polar challenges, Atlantic rows and round the world solo-ocean racing record attempts. With a more mainstream sport nutrition focus she has advised many elite athletes, in both Olympic and Professional sport, including athletics, cricket, cycling, football, and rugby. Known for her very practical approach, Louise has extensive experience in delivering nutrition education programmes, particularly aimed at supporting junior athlete development. She has held Chair and Deputy Chair positions of the British Dietetic Association Sport Nutrition Interest Group and the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) Board and been the recipient of multiple awards for her contribution to the development of the SENR. She has mentored numerous practitioners through the transition from graduate to full practitioner registration with SENR and currently chairs the SENR registration panel.

Louise and Nigel will be supported in the programme delivery by members of the Leeds Beckett Carnegie Applied Sports Nutrition team that work across multiple sport environments, including Dr Nessan Costello and Dr Meghan Bentley who will share particular insights from their own practice and invited guest contributors known for their particular industry expertise.