Dietetics

The overall aim of the pre-registration MSc Dietetics programme is to provide science graduates with core knowledge and professional competencies to practice as a dietitian, while also developing advanced research skills. Registered dietitians are qualified and regulated health professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat diet and nutritional problems. Dietitians use the most up-to-date research on diet and health, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

This full-time 20-month taught programme builds on prior learning and provides students with a practical and scientific understanding in the study of food and nutrition, and the effect of diet and health on wellbeing. Dietetic practice placement is integral to this programme and is undertaken in an approved setting in Northern Ireland for 28 weeks.

Work placement / study abroad
Practice based learning is an integral part of this programme. Placements are generally undertaken within hospital and/or health care Trusts in Northern Ireland and are approved by the University. Students are allocated placement locations and all are approved by the University.

Placements are unpaid and full time (37 hours/week). Practice based learning settings are approved by HCPC therefore graduates from this programme are eligible to apply for registration with the Statutory Regulator for Dietitians, the HCPC. The course is also accredited by the British Dietetic Association.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page".

Year one
• Dietetics Professional Practice GT
• Applied Nutrition
• Biochemistry and Molecular Approaches to Nutrition
• Diet and Disease
• Public Health and Nutrition Communication
• Research Methods and Biostatistics for Nutritional Sciences
• Nutrition Research Project
• Nutritional Assessment

Optional Modules
• Nutritional Metabolism in Sports and Exercise
• Nutrition and Health Claims in the UK and Europe
• Nutritional Controversies
• Food Science & Microbiology

Year two
• Dietetics Practice-Based Learning 1
• Dietetics Practice-Based Learning 2
• Clinical Competency in Dietetics
• Professional Competency in Dietetics

Standard entry conditions
To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.

Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to have achieved BSc Hons Science degree, 2:1 classification which contains a substantive component of biochemistry and physiology or equivalent related science subjects which demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals in biosciences and also have studied research skills and methodology within a previous degree or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.

This course is not currently open to overseas applicants due to placement constraints. If you are an EU National living in NI with EU settlement status, you may apply for this course.

Students must be in good health as evidenced from a satisfactory medical report (SENDO compliant) and entry is also subject to a satisfactory criminal record check carried out through AccessNI.

The closing date for applications is 15th January of the year of entry. Each application form must be accompanied by a copy of degree transcript, two academic references and a 500-word supporting statement to clearly outline why you are applying for this programme and relevant information to support your application, all of which is used to select students for interview.

Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that 2 written references are uploaded by closing date: names of 2 referees is not sufficient. Interviews (in March/April) form part of the selection process at which attendance in person is usually required.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).

Closing date is 15 January annually.

Start Date: September 2024

Career options
The academic content of the programme together with the experience gained from practice based learning leads to excellent employment opportunities. There are excellent opportunities for graduate dietitians in hospitals, community or public health as well as the food industry, research, sports or to pursue a higher research degree (PhD) in the area of human nutrition.