Dietetics and Nutrition

The Dietetics and Nutrition BSc degree will help you develop the relevant knowledge and skills to become a dietitian. You'll study life and nutritional sciences, exploring the role of diet and nutrition in disease prevention and treatment. Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply to the register of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

In the most recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, 100% of all 2017 graduates from this course were in work or further study within six months. This course received a 95% overall student satisfaction rate in the 2018 National Student Survey. On this undergraduate degree course, you’ll learn the skill necessary to become a dietitian – the only qualified health professional that can assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition related problems at an individual and wider public health level.

We’ll introduce you to the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease. This practical guidance will enable you to help members of the public make healthier lifestyle and food choices. Throughout your studies, you’ll gain an understanding of the conditions where nutrition plays a significant role in disease management. You'll develop the knowledge to provide nutrition and dietetic care for individuals, groups and populations who have or already are at risk of developing long-term health conditions.

In addition to lectures and seminars, this degree includes group work, role plays and practical sessions in the laboratory and the technical kitchen. Our internationally renowned teaching staff are actively involved in dietetics practice and research, and will provide consistent support and mentorship.

You’ll get hands-on experience through three full-time work placements during the course. There's a two-week placement in Year 2, a 12-week placement in Year 3 and a 14-week placement in Year 4 that normally includes a public health nutrition component. Your work will primarily be in National Health Service (NHS) organisations in London and your performance will be assessed as part of your degree. Successfully complete the course curriculum and you'll meet all the standards needed for membership of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Dietetic Association (BDA).

Assessment

You'll be assessed through seminar and poster presentations, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), case studies, practical reports, seen/unseen examinations, in-class tests and a compulsory final year dissertation.

Professional accreditation

The course is approved by the HCPC. Successfully complete your degree, and you'll be eligible to apply for registration. The course is also accredited by the BDA. When you have the status "Dietitian" on your HCPC registration, you can join the BDA as a full member.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• A minimum of grades BBB in three A levels including Biology and Chemistry (or a minimum of 120 UCAS points)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent)

Science foundation and access courses will be considered with a minimum of 60 credits, 45 of which must be at Level 3:

• 15 credits at Level 3 must be in Biology or related subjects such as anatomy and physiology.
• 15 credits at Level 3 must be in chemistry or related subjects such as biochemistry.
• 15 credits at Level 3 should be in science related subjects (eg physics, maths) or subjects applied to science (eg nutrition, environmental science, psychology).
• The remaining 15 credits should be in study skills.
• Applicants should achieve a distinction or equivalent numerical mark in 75% of the credits taken in Science subjects at Level 3.
• if students of the Sciences Extended Degree at London Met want to apply for the Dietetics and Nutrition BSc, they are required to take the following modules in the extended degree: PR3001 Scientific Studies, PR3002 Biology, PR3003 Chemistry and the optional module. They must pass each module at 70% or more without reassessment.
• 10 days or more recent (within the last two years) work experience in a care environment.
• Attendance at a dietetics career event.
• An enhanced DBS Check for the Adults' and Children's Workforce.
• Clearance for non-exposure prone procedures (EPP) by an approved occupational health service.
• Applicants will be required to pass an interview including those applying from the Sciences Extended Degree at London Met.

If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the Sciences Extended Degree or the Human Nutrition Extended Degree. For further information and support on how to prepare your application and meet our entry requirements, visit our undergraduate Dietetics FAQ.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS at level 7.0, with no individual component of less than 6.5. For more information about English qualifications, please see our English language requirements.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2018/19 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time. Year 1 modules include:

• Anatomy and Physiology for Dietitians (core, 30 credits)
• Biochemistry for dietitians (core, 15 credits)
• Cell biology for dietitians (core, 15 credits)
• Human Nutrition For Dietitians (core, 30 credits)
• Sociology and Psychology for Dietitians (core, 30 credits)

Year 2 modules include:

• Clinical Dietetics 1 (core, 30 credits)
• Dietary assessment techniques for dietitians (core, 15 credits)
• Food Science and Microbiology (core, 15 credits)
• Macro and micronutrients (core, 15 credits)
• Metabolic Biochemistry for Nutrition (core, 15 credits)
• Practice Based Learning 1 (Dietitians) (core, 0 credits)
• Professional Practice in Dietetics and Nutrition (core, 15 credits)
• Techniques in nutrition and dietetic research (core, 15 credits)

Year 3 modules include

• Applied Public Health Nutrition for Dietitians (core, 15 credits)
• Clinical Dietetics 2 (core, 15 credits)
• Dietetic and Nutrition Practice Preparation (core, 0 credits)
• Nutrition through the lifecycle Dietitians (core, 15 credits)
• Practice Based Learning 2 (Dietitians) (core, 0 credits)
• Systems Pathology for Dietitians (core, 15 credits)

Year 4 modules include

• Applied Dietetics and Nutrition (core, 15 credits)
• Dietetics and Nutrition Research Project (core, 30 credits)
• Management of Health and Social Care (core, 15 credits)
• Practice Based Learning 3 (Dietitians) (core, 0 credits)

After the course

Graduating from our Dietetics and Nutrition BSc (Hons) course is the start of an exciting and varied career in nutrition, health and disease management. Many of our graduates now work in public health and health promotion, including NHS management of nutrition related diseases and/or disease related malnutrition as well as managing dietary needs in long term health conditions in primary care environments.