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Level 5 Certificate in Gut Microbiome and Nutrition
Empower others. Build a rewarding career. Transform lives—starting with your own.
Become a specialist in gut health and nutrition with our accredited Level 5 Certificate. Learn how the gut microbiome impacts immunity, digestion, mental wellbeing, and chronic health.
Are you a health coach, nutritionist, or wellness practitioner looking to deepen your expertise in gut health? The Focus Awards Level 5 Certificate in Gut Microbiome and Nutrition (RQF) is a nationally recognised qualification designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools to support clients through advanced nutritional and microbiome-based interventions.
This course is ideal for practitioners seeking to work at the forefront of nutrition science and functional health.
Why Study Gut Microbiome and Nutrition?
Recent scientific research confirms the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in digestive health, immune function, hormone balance, mental health, and chronic disease prevention. Poor gut health has been linked to:
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Autoimmune disorders
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Food intolerances and allergies
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Fatigue and brain fog
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Mood imbalances and anxiety
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Skin conditions and metabolic dysfunction
This Level 5 gut health course teaches how to assess and support the microbiome using advanced dietary principles, probiotic strategies, and personalised nutrition.
Who This Gut Health Qualification Is For?
This course is ideal for:
Qualified health and nutrition coaches
Nutritional therapists and naturopaths
Fitness and wellness professionals
Holistic practitioners and complementary therapists
Anyone supporting clients with gut-related symptoms
You must be aged 18+. There are no formal prerequisites, but experience in health, nutrition, or coaching is recommended.
Is This Course Right for You? Absolutely—If You...
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Are looking for a career with meaning and freedom
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Are passionate about health and helping others
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Want practical training and expert mentorship
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Prefer studying flexibly, around your current life
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Are ready to work for yourself or in a health team
You do not need a medical or science background—just a desire to help others and a commitment to your own personal growth.
What You Will Learn
This course includes three mandatory units packed with up-to-date, science-backed content:
1. Gut Microbiota in Nutrition and Health
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Understand the structure and function of the gut microbiome
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Learn how digestion, immunity, and inflammation are linked
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Explore probiotics, prebiotics, and resistant starch
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Assess the gut-brain axis and hormone interactions
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Identify microbiome imbalances and gut health conditions
2. Physical Health and Wellbeing
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Apply physical activity guidelines to health plans
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Implement behaviour change techniques
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Set lifestyle goals with clients using coaching strategies
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Explore how exercise, diet, and sleep support long-term wellbeing
3. Principles of Nutrition
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Understand macronutrients, micronutrients, and digestion
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Conduct nutritional analysis and client assessments
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Compare dietary models and guidelines
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Promote a non-diet, client-centred approach to eating behaviour
Key Course Details
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Qualification Level: Level 5 (RQF Ofqual Regulated)
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Awarding Body: Focus Awards
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Delivery: 100% Online, Self-Paced Study with up to 12 months to complete
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Assessment: Portfolio of Evidence (no exam)
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TQT (Total Qualification Time): 147 hours
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Guided Learning Hours: 121
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Course Format: Videos, workbooks, and case studies
Progression Opportunities
On completion of the Level 5 Certificate in Gut Microbiome and Nutrition, you can progress to:
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Level 5 Certificate in Coaching for Health and Wellbeing
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Advanced clinical nutrition or functional testing training
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Specialised coaching in gut-brain health, stress resilience, or autoimmune support
Course Fee: £999.00, with 10% payment in full discount available. Alternatively pay four monthly instalments of £249.75.
Course Frequently Asked Questions
Are there assignments, exams and case studies? How is the course assessed? At the end of most of the modules there will be some type of assignment, usually short essay style, Q&A or self-reflection.
Do you provide client forms and programmes? We provide you with a wide range of client forms, covering both coaching and nutrition. Whilst you are free to use these, we always encourage you to create your own when you know how you best work. We also provide some generic programmes for you, and again, we provide these to use, but more importantly to show you how to create your own that are unique to you, and what you offer. Working generically is not the best way when it comes to working with clients, and we teach you how to tailor the programmes to suit your clients. We also teach how to work with companies that will provide you with blood testing and diagnostic services, so that you can offer an even fuller service to your clients.
What support do you offer? We pride ourselves in offering the best support around! As well as fortnightly supervised online peer support groups, we offer monthly supervision, and pastoral support. We also have a thriving online peer support platform, where our students, mentors and graduates offer each other support. For those who can visit us in Manchester, we offer regular face-to-face networking events at our beautiful Monastery venue. We have a student support team to help you with the day-to-day questions, and tutors are available for anything technical.
Do I need to attend live sessions? There are no compulsory lessons, however we do offer Zoom workshops that you can attend.
Why does your course cost more than others with the same accreditations? We have seen this qualification offered by various companies that offer a wide variety of qualifications. Feedback we have received is that there is no comprehensive course materials included. If you are considering a different training provider, we would strongly recommend you speak to one of their tutors, and ask to see samples of the course materials, teaching videos etc.
Which organisations can I join? We recommend learners join the FNTP.
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