Nutritional Counseling, Bachelor of Arts

Who Should Study the Bachelor in Nutritional Counselling?

The dual Bachelor's degree course “Nutritional Counselling” at the German University of Prevention and Health Management is aimed at you if you have a strong interest in the topics of nutrition, health, exercise and sustainable lifestyle. It is especially targeted at individuals who wish to acquire scientifically sound nutritional knowledge and practically link this with aspects of exercise and behaviour – for example, in order to work in an advisory capacity in companies, schools, health or sports facilities. The course also offers a focused qualification programme for sports professionals, dietitians, career changers, experienced practitioners and those interested in practical work to professionally position themselves in the field of prevention-oriented nutritional counselling.

What Admission Requirements Apply?

• University entrance qualification: You need the general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), the advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife), a qualification as master craftsman or specialist, a technical college qualification or a comparable professional development qualification.
• Training contract: A training contract with a company as well as a cooperation agreement between this training company and the DHfPG is required.
• Advanced technical college entrance qualification (school part): If you only have the school part of the advanced technical college entrance qualification, you can make up the practical part. The university supports you by suggesting suitable internship companies.
• Reduced duration of study: For persons with completed training as a physiotherapist, there is the possibility to shorten the duration of studies.

Note for later certification: If you aim for certification by the German Nutrition Society (DGE) after graduation, a qualified nutrition specialist must be employed in your training company.

Which Personal Requirements Are Advisable?

• Interest in nutrition and health topics: You should enjoy engaging with current developments, scientific foundations and practical questions relating to nutrition, prevention and exercise.
• Communication skills: Since you will work in an advisory role later, confident appearance and the ability to convey complex specialist content clearly is helpful.
• Ability to work in a team: Implementation of nutritional programmes often takes place in cooperation with other professionals (such as trainers, doctors, companies).
• Initiative and organisational skills: The dual degree course combines distance learning, lectures and work in the practical company; therefore good time management is a prerequisite.
• Openness to new methods: You are keen to expand your knowledge of movement, counselling or medical-psychological aspects.

What can you expect from studying Nutritional Counseling?

In the dual bachelor’s degree programme in Nutritional Counseling at the German University of Prevention and Health Management, you will engage comprehensively with professional, prevention-oriented nutritional counseling. The focus is on imparting specialist knowledge about nutrition, exercise, and psychological aspects. The study content is interdisciplinary and combines natural sciences, exercise science, health sciences, and economic aspects.

• Nutrition and Biochemistry: You will learn the basics of nutritional physiology, biochemistry of cellular and organ metabolism, food science as well as various forms of nutrition and legal frameworks.
• Exercise Science: You will work on general exercise science, strength and endurance training, to professionally support exercise programmes.
• Psychology and Counseling: Topics such as nutritional psychology, psychology of health behaviour, as well as communication, presentation and concepts of nutritional counseling are a fixed part.
• Management and Economics: You acquire the basics of business administration, knowledge in marketing, consulting and service management. Aspects of self-employment are also taught.
• Target Group Specialisation: The eating behaviour of various target groups such as children, senior women and men, pregnant women, or athletes is also a focus, as well as the prevention of nutrition-related diseases.

How does the dual study programme work?

The programme is structured as a dual model. You combine distance learning with compact, course-based attendance phases and your work in a training company. The degree lasts seven semesters (42 months), with a total of 61 days of compact teaching sessions. Enrolment is possible at any time, allowing you to start flexibly.

• You learn scientifically sound knowledge through digital self-learning phases.
• Compact attendance events serve to deepen theory and practice.
• In the training company, you gain direct practical experience and link theory with everyday situations.
• Experienced lecturers accompany you throughout the entire study period.

Which professional fields and career opportunities arise?

After completing your bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Counseling, you can offer specialised individual and group nutritional counselling, design and support these. Typical fields of work include:

• Fitness and health companies
• Nutritional specialist practices
• Food industry companies (e.g. product development and marketing)
• Wellness hotels, spa facilities
• Pharmacies and medical practices
• Health insurance companies, occupational health promotion and workplace health management
• Schools, adult education centres, public counselling centres
• Clubs, sports associations, media companies with a focus on nutritional education

In addition, you can become self-employed as a nutritional counselor and are qualified to conduct scientifically based counseling – also within the framework of workplace health management or target-group-specific for children, older people and athletes. Further qualifications, such as advanced training as a Diabetes Consultant DDG, are possible after completion.

Where do you study?

The programme is conducted in Saarbrücken. The teaching sessions take place at the German University of Prevention and Health Management, combined with your practical assignments in the cooperating training company. The learning platform supports you in digital content delivery.

What costs can you expect?

The tuition fees amount to 360 euros per month. This results in a total amount of 15,120 euros for the entire programme. Payment is made monthly or per semester. You can obtain information about funding opportunities such as BAföG, education loans or scholarships at the university.

• Tuition fee per month: 360 euros
• Total cost for the programme: 15,120 euros

The dual structure usually enables you to earn your own income through work in the training company during your studies.