Nutrition and Dietetics
B400Would you like to influence food and health policy across the spectrum, from government to local communities and individuals? By training to be a registered dietitian, you will be able to apply the nutritional care process from developing a nutritional diagnosis to managing a wide range of nutrition-related healthcare problems found in today’s society.
Course overview
Dietitians use public health and scientific research on food, health and disease which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
This interdisciplinary course combines the study of nutrition science with dietetic practice. Alongside the scientific topics of nutritional biochemistry and physiology, you will also study communication skills, behavioural change techniques, research methods and ethics.
Time will be given for practical workshops in which you will have experience in analysing diets using specialist software, and obtain practice in analysing and diagnosing nutritional problems and developing nutritional care plans. Some work will be undertaken in our biochemistry laboratory.
During the three-year programme you undertake professional placements throughout the course within a variety of healthcare and commercial settings. This will give you the opportunity to develop your clinical skills alongside industry partners, charities and other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, physiotherapists and sport scientists.
As part of the University of Winchester’s growing portfolio of health-related programmes, you will benefit from strong relationships with those teaching and studying nursing, physiotherapy and sports-related degrees.
In Year 1, you study Fundamentals of Food Science and Biochemistry; Introduction to Human Nutrition and Nutrition Physiology; Introduction to the Psycho-Sociology of Health and you develop your communication skills and begin your Practice Education.
With a good foundation in place, in Year 2 you critically explore areas such as Behavioural Science and Professionalism in Dietetics; Pharmacology; Clinical Dietetics and Research Methods as well as continuing your Practice Education.
Your final year subjects include Integrated Nutrition Care Planning and Public Health, Epidemiology and Research Methods. In addition you plan, research and write your dissertation in Nutrition and Dietetics in an area that especially interests you.
On completion of the degree you will have the knowledge to be able to educate people about the best ways to eat and drink in order to keep their body fit and healthy.
This degree is accredited by the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). It leads to eligibility to apply for HCPC registration (you are required to complete 1,000 hours of clinical placement to be eligible) and follows the core curriculum set out by the BDA. As a graduate of this programme you can enter the profession of dietetics once registered as a dietitian.
What you need to know
Course start date
September
Location
Campus
Course length
- 3 years full-time
Apply
B400
Typical offer
120-128 points
Fees
From £9,535 pa
Course features
- Pursue a rewarding career where you can help people to make a real difference to their lives through a well-organised lifestyle and healthy eating habits
- Gain the sought-after knowledge and skills required to work in this rapidly growing profession, benefitting from small class sizes and values-based training
- Acquire valuable hands-on experience with a variety of service users and industry organisations through innovative placements throughout your degree, using an integrated skills-based approach to developing professional practice
- Learn from supportive and accessible lecturers who have experience of working in a wide range of related professional fields
- Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Accredited by the British Dietetic Association (BDA)
Course details
Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.
You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc., you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
Independent Learning
Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Overall Workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.
While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4): Teaching, learning and assessment: 325.5 hours, Independent learning: 942 hours, Placement: 240 hours
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5): Teaching, learning and assessment: 262.5 hours, Independent learning: 720 hours, Placement: 435 hours
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6): Teaching, learning and assessment: 223.5 hours, Independent learning: 784 hours, Placement: 412.5 hours
*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.
Teaching Hours
All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.
Assessment
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
Percentage of Coursework Assessed
The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)*: 94% coursework. 0% written exams. 6% practical assessment
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)*: 59% coursework. 30% written exams. 11% practical assessment
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)*: 61% coursework. 18% written exams. 21% practical exams
Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Modules
Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions
Modules
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This module offers an exploration into dietitian competencies through the framework of the model and process of dietetic practice, including collection and interpretation of patient-related information, providing the opportunity to regularly observe clinical practice.
Specifically, this module will enhance your ability to integrate theoretical learning on areas such as food safety and catering within a healthcare context. This module will also help you to understand complex concepts and explore some of the fundamental questions and challenges in dietetic practice today. Using examples from across the globe, you reflect on your basic assumptions with regards to dietetic practice. You will receive guidance on your responsibilities and how to raise concerns. You will develop compassionate care using a values-based approach, being mindful of the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics, in addition to developing transferable academic skills, particularly critical thinking.
Modules
This module examines the study of dietetics from a practical perspective and you will discuss what matters in clinical dietetics practice, across the lifespan from infancy to older adults. The module will help you to understand complex concepts and examines some of the fundamental questions and challenges in dietetics practice today. Using examples from dietetics practice, you will be encouraged to reflect on your assumptions with regards to clinical dietetics considering a values based approach to nutrition care, individualisation, making every contact count and patient or family-centred care. You will develop your academic skills and critical thinking in particular.
More information coming soon.
This module offers you the opportunity to demonstrate effective communication in practice by developing your written and verbal communication skills. You will study the promotion of health through the delivery and evaluation of appropriate learning experiences to meet the health needs of individuals and groups. Using clinical cases, you will reflect on your assumptions with regards to clinical decision-making. You will adhere to the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics and receive guidance on your responsibilities and how to raise concerns.
This module examines pharmacological approaches to the management of health conditions that involve a significant dietitian contribution. Specifically, this module will engage you in contemporary discussions about clinical pharmacology, drug metabolism and drug nutrient interactions that relate to dietetic practice. Using examples from across the globe, you will also be encouraged to reflect on your basic assumptions with regards to pharmacology in dietetics.
On this module you will develop your knowledge and understanding of the research process. This will include areas of research design such as constructing a research question, quantitative and qualitative research methods, the place of audit, sampling and recruitment, data governance, collection and analysis techniques and research quality and threats to credibility and trustworthiness of data.
The module provides the opportunity to develop a protocol design and through group work, to understand the ethical process and how to manage a research project. It will also deal with issues of dissemination.
Modules
More information coming soon.
This module offers an introduction to the study of dietetics from a research perspective. Specifically, this module will engage students in contemporary discussions about what matters in dietetics research. This module will help students to understand difficult concepts and critically examine some of the fundamental questions and challenges in dietetics research today. Using examples from across the globe, students will be encouraged to critically reflect on their basic assumptions with regards to research in dietetics. At the same time, an emphasis will be placed on the development of transferable academic skills and critical thinking in particular.
More information coming soon.
This module will equip you with the understanding and skills necessary for safe and effective practice in dietetics before your final practice placement module. Using the BDA Nutrition Care Plan process you focus on individuals with specific diseases promoting a deeper understanding of nutrition knowledge.
The module will also further develop your clinical decision-making skills to ensure effective and safe management of child patients with dietetic-related diseases, with a focus on; prematurity, critical illness, congenital heart disease, complex food allergy, feeding difficulties and inflammatory bowel disease. You will consider in detail how you will implement a values-based approach to nutrition, how care can be achieved, individualisation of nutrition care, making every contact count and the use of family-centred care.
You will further deveop independent and autonomous practice. Specifically, this module will engage you in communicating safely and effectively with individuals and groups of service users and the wider multi-disciplinary healthcare professional team using tailored methods. You will implement a values-based approach to nutrition care, individualisation of nutrition care, making every contact count and the use of family-centred care.
This module will also help you to consolidate clinical reasoning processes underpinned by a sound evidence base across a range of practice environments and specialities, such as safe caseload management. You will adhere to the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics, and receive guidance on your responsibilities and how to raise concerns.
Entry requirements
120-128 UCAS tariff points, including Biology and a second science A-Level grade C or above.
Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:
- A-Levels: BBB-ABB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points) Two science A-levels or equivalent at grade C or above are required for entry. One Science should be Biology or Human Biology, we accept a range of second sciences. Level 3 BTEC science qualifications graded merit or above are considered on an individual basis.
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BTEC/CTEC: DDM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications. National Extended Certificate/ Foundation Diploma/ Technical Diploma/ Extended Diplomas in Applied Science.
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International Baccalaureate: 120-128 UCAS tariff points. To include a minimum of grade 5 in Standard or Higher level English and Maths and a minimum of grade 5 in a Higher level Science.
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T Level: Merit in a T Level in Health, Healthcare Science or Science
Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.
In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE’s are required:
GCSEs in Mathematics, English Language and Science at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.
If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.
If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:
- IELTS Academic at 7 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
- We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by contacting our International Recruitment Team via our International pages.
Additional costs
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
All students who accept an offer for this course are required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check. Please note, the cost of the check is £49.50 and covering the cost is the responsibility of the student.
In addition to the check, all students are strongly encouraged to sign up to use the DBS Update Service [https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service] for the duration of their course. Students who fail to sign up to the Update Service may be required to complete and pay for an additional check during their course which may affect their ability to engage successfully with placements.
British Dietetic Association (BDA) Student Membership
British Dietetic Association (BDA) Student Membership is a requirement of the course. Indicative cost is £37 per year from Year 2 of your studies. Membership is free in your first year.
Benefits include: a free subscription to PEN (worth £350 per year), online access to Dietetics Today, insurance to cover you on placements, access to Groups & Branches for events and networking, £30 off the Manual of Dietetic Practice, money saving via BDA rewards, and access to student volunteering opportunities.
Uniform
One uniform will be provided but you are likely to require additional uniforms. Indicative cost: £30.
Placement Expenses
There are placements in each year of the programme that are organised by the University with regional healthcare providers. Insurance for students on placement and the necessary immunisation/vaccination is provided by the University.
Students will need to travel to placements/arrange accommodation. In some cases there may be costs incurred here for travel and accommodation.
The University will pay for an occupational health assessment; however, you may need to pay for immunisations if they are not covered by your GP.
Visits
Nutrition modules may include optional visits to specialist healthcare facilities, exhibitions etc. You will normally be expected to cover the cost of travel and admission, unless otherwise specified in the module profile.
Core Texts
Core texts are available from the University Library; however some students prefer to purchase their own copies. These can be bought second hand or as an e-book, which can often reduce this cost. Indicative cost is £70-£299 per academic year.
Occupational Health Check
The University will pay for an occupational health assessment; however, you may need to pay for immunisations if they are not covered by your GP. Once applicants accept their offer of a place, we will send instructions on how to submit your health declaration information and what is required.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards page.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With increasing community interest in food, nutrition and health, there’s a real demand for specialists across a range of industry sectors. You will be able to seek jobs in diverse fields and organisations, including the NHS (specialising in areas such as paediatrics, nutritional support, and sports nutrition), research, media or marketing, consumer groups, food manufacturing or a government agency.
The University of Winchester ranks in the top 25 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024, HESA.
Pre-Approved for a Masters
If you study a Bachelor Honours degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.
OUR CAREERS SERVICE
“The undergraduate programmes at Winchester provide you with an excellent foundation from which to pursue your chosen career”
