Programme Objectives

The programmes are designed to equip health care and related professionals/workers for more in-depth understanding of nutrition, diet and their relationship with family health and community health, and to prepare them for more advanced roles in health care service and practice.

Special features

Two programmes are being offered.

Certificate Programme

The Certificate Programme provides a comprehensive theoretical background and application base of nutritional science in disease prevention and health promotion. The programme will also examine a wide variety of nutritional issue, diet management of common health problems in both individual and family perspectives.

Diploma Programme

The Diploma Programme is an extension of the Certificate Programme. It will expand the basic training with broader and in-depth perspective in the application of nutritional and health knowledge in family and in the community. At the end of the diploma course, graduates will be in stronger position to benefit their professions as well as the community.

The Certificate Programme is structured on a part-time basis comprising 6 modules. Additional symposia/seminars will be held to increase exposure and to enhance the knowledge base of the participants. The duration of the Certificate Programme is normally 7 months. The credits are equivalent to the modules in the Diploma Programme in Applied Nutrition and Family Health and are transferable. The programme fees paid for Certificate Programme could be credited toward the Diploma Programme fees.

The Diploma Programme comprising 10 modules, is also structured on a part-time basis. Participants will be required to undertake a project on a nutrition-related topics.

Additional symposia/seminars will be arranged to broaden the view of nutrition of participants. The duration of the Diploma Programme normally is 10 months from September to July of the next year. Participants must complete all Diploma requirements within 36 months for obtaining the Diploma.

The courses are organized as part-time modular courses. Participants will normally be required to attend classes two to three hours per week, with an equivalent amount of time spent in self-directed learning.

Classes of Certificate/Diploma programmes are usually conducted on Thursday evenings from 6:30 pm to either 8:30pm or 9:30pm. Classroom sessions will normally be held at the School of Public Health of Prince of Wales Hospital.

Certificate Programme: From September to March/April each year

Diploma Programme: From September to July each year

Mainly in Chinese (Cantonese), supplemented with teaching materials in English

Experienced dietitians and related professionals from CUHK, HA hospitals, government and non-government organizations.

Certificate Programme :HK$14,700 per year payable in one installment

Diploma Programme : HK$27,300 per year payable in two installments

An application fee of HK$120 is required.

*All paid fees are non-refundable and non-transferable

Module 1 Basic Nutrition

Module 2 Family Health and Special Nutrition Requirements throughout the Lifespan

Module 3 Physical Activity

Module 4 Diet-related Chronic Diseases and Diet Management

Module 5 Nutritional Therapy for Common Diseases

Module 6 Food Safety and Food-borne Illnesses

Module 7 Communication and Counseling (Diploma Only)

Module 8 Basic Research and Evidence-based Health Care (Diploma Only)

Module 9 Community Nutrition (Diploma Only)

Module 10 Writing up a Project (Diploma Only)

Module 1 Basic Nutrition

• Macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
• Micronutrients: vitamins and minerals
• Dietary assessment and healthy eating guidelines
• Introduction of food supplements
• Infection, immunity and nutrition

Module 2 Family Health and Special Nutrition Requirements throughout Lifespan

• Nutritional requirements of different stages throughout lifespan
• Special nutritional needs for men, women and vegetarian

Module 3 Physical Activity

• Physical activity for general population
• Nutrition for exercise and sport

Module 4 Common Diet-related Chronic Diseases and Diet Management

• Obesity and eating disorders
• Cancer prevention and dietary management
• Cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke
• Diabetes mellitus
• Osteoporosis
• Anemia, gout and food allergy
• Interactive case study I

Module 5 Nutritional Therapy for Common Diseases

• Gastrointestinal disorders and enteral feeding
• Liver diseases
• Renal diseases
• Interactive case study II

Module 6 Food Safety and Food-borne Illnesses

• Food-borne illnesses and food hygiene
• Food safety and food labeling

Module 7 Communication and Counseling (For Diploma Only)

• Introduction of behavioural studies
• Communication and counseling
• Practical nutrition

Module 8 Basic Research and Evidence-based Health Care (For Diploma Only)

• Introduction of nutritional studies and methods
• Data interpretation for diet-disease relationship
• Development and evaluation of nutritional materials and sources of data

Module 9 Community Nutrition (For Diploma Only)

• Introduction of community nutrition
• Food policy and global nutrition
• Media influence on diet and nutrition
• Programme planning evaluation

Module 10 Writing up a Project (For Diploma Only)

• Development of project proposal and Literature search in related database
• Discussion with supervisor and tutorial
• Presentation of project

Applicants should have qualification of Form 7 or above , and preferably have basic knowledge in human biological sciences.

Certificate Programme

Participants must pass the examination and overall assessment, complete the necessary course requirements and attend at least 80% of the lectures, practical sessions and interactive case studies of Modules 1 to 6.

Diploma Programme

Participants must pass the examinations and the overall assessment, complete the necessary course requirements and attend at least 80% of the lectures, practical sessions, interactive case studies and tutorials of Modules 1 to 10.

From Certificate to Diploma Programme

The credits of the Certificate programme are equivalent and transferable to the Diploma programme in Applied Nutrition and Family Health. The tuition fees for the Certificate programme can be credited towards the Diploma programme. According to the university guideline, an administration fee of HK$1,500 would be charged for the transfer procedure.

Application for the transfer from Certificate to Diploma Programme must be filed within 36 months after completion of the Certificate programme.

Centre of Research and Promotion of Women's Health are accredited as a Provider of Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.  

* Please note that graduates of the Diploma and Certificate Programmes in Applied Nutrition and Family Health are not considered as registered dietitian.

Mr. Tat Hon Jimmy FUNG

Graduate of the Certificate Programme in Applied Nutrition and Family Health 2007-08

Master of Extra-curricular activities, Lock Tao Secondary School

Secretary, Hong Kong Physical Education Teachers Society

I put the theory of ‘Nutrition and Family Health’ into practice in all sorts of opportunities such as using the hall assembly and variety show to promote balanced diet and disease prevention. More importantly, the distinctive concepts and innovative ideas of the modules, which are beneficial for me to construct the syllabus of the Liberal studies in the topic of ‘Public Hygiene’ in 2009 New Senior Secondary School Curriculum.

Ms. Yeuk Ling Dilys LOWE

Graduate of the Diploma Programme in Applied Nutrition and Family Health 2009-10

Assistant to Group Director

I came from the commercial sector and anticipated hardship to come in terms with the medical vocabularies. Thanks to the tutors and administrative staff, I found it enjoyable to pursuit my study, from the micro/macro-nutrients, interpreting research data, to developing an educational tool. The last module on community nutrition and public health gave me a wider perspective on the public health system and concerns in Hong Kong as well as around the world. The knowledge I gained has widen my horizon, which also benefit my family and friends.

Ms. Yuk-ping LEUNG

Graduate of the Diploma Programme in Applied Nutrition and Family Health 2009-10

Enrolled Nurse (Psychiatric)

I’m delighted that what I have learned from the programme is applicable to my work and life. This programme provides me an opportunity to correct my mis-concepts about nutrition and health, improve my quality in nursing care, and broaden the channel to update my nutrition knowledge. I would like to sincerely thank to all the experienced tutors for their patience given to us in class and for their supervision on my project. I will try my best to promote public health education of my clients from what I have learned.

Ms. Sui Yan Rachel TSANG

Graduate of the Diploma Programme in Applied Nutrition and Family Health 2010-11

Medical Assistant

Actually I found this Diploma course very interesting and useful, as all the topics and features are closely related to the current market, it gave us a strong sense and concept on food selection and choices. Professors and teachers are very professional, it is grateful they share all their experiences and knowledge with us. No doubt that some of them are very funny and make the atmosphere go well. Generally, the course is really suitable for those who are interested in nutrition.

Ms. Chui Wa Irene LAI

Graduate of the Diploma Programme in Applied Nutrition and Family Health 2011-12

Registered Nurse (Renal Nursing)

Before studying the Nutritional programme, it is difficult for me to introduce an appropriate diet to my renal patients and it is hard to educate or modify their eating habit. After learning it, I am able to apply the knowledge in my work. Besides, I am also benefited from the programme to understand the importance of nutrition in our life and the management of diet in chronic diseases . So I can eat healthier as well as my family and colleagues!

By this time, I appreciate to all tutors of their sincerely teaching in the class. It is worth to promote to those people who are interesting in nutrition.

Mr. Kwong Chuen Jason LEUNG

Graduate of the Diploma Programme in Applied Nutrition and Family Health 2011-12

Owner of the Nutrition Centers

This diploma course gave me a fabulous learning experience. The course materials, which were well organized and structured, facilitated knowledge seeking of students with wide range of professional backgrounds. What’s more, the teachers were very friendly and made students feel comfortable to ask questions.

This course really helped me to gain the invaluable knowledge and practical skills as well as provided me an opportunity to rectify my mis-concepts about nutrition and public health. The benefit of the course is two-folded: enrichment of my personal growth and my nutrition product business on the one hand and knowledge transfer to my staff and client on the other.

I am grateful to all professors and teachers for his/hers guidance throughout my studies. I will not hesitate to recommend friends and relatives which are interested in pursuing studies in nutrition.

Download application form:

Click to Download: Application Form

Completed application form should be returned to:

Ms Judy Hui

 Room 404, 4/F, Lek Yuen Health Centre, 9 Lek Yuen Street, Shatin, N.T. no later than 31 June 2013

Please attach copies of certificates for academic/professional qualifications and a cheque for the application fee of HK$120, made payable to "The Chinese University of Hong Kong".

For further programme details, please contact:

Ms Judy Hui

Programme Administrator

Room 404, 4/F

Lek Yuen Health Centre

9 Lek Yuen Street

Shatin, N.T.

Tel : 2503 9057

Fax: 2503 9481

Email: nutrition@cuhk.edu.hk

Course Information Request Form