Dietetics (Pre-Registration) - MSc

Dietetics is the management of diseases that are amenable to dietary intervention, and the prevention of nutrition-related disorders. A dietitian influences food selection and eating behaviour of an individual based on specific nutritional or food requirements.

As a dietitian, you will translate scientific information about nutrition into practical advice to help people make health-conscious decisions about food. You will assess, diagnose and treat diet-related problems and aim to raise awareness of the link between food, health and disease to prevent future problems and treat existing nutrition-related problems. Dietitians are a key part of the healthcare team and are the only nutrition professionals to be statutorily regulated.

The course takes you through a clinically and practically focused study of disease, health, food and nutrition. With a clinical and health promotion focus, the course includes three practice-based placements that allow students to apply and consolidate their theoretical learning.

Structure and exit awards

To be awarded the MSc you will be required to complete 320 academic credits and pass the competency-based practice placements.

You must complete the full MSc (320 credits) to be eligible to register with the Health & Care Professions Council and work as a dietitian.

Single module study is not available.

Teaching, learning and assessment

The course delivers theoretical and practical campus based learning with three integrated periods of practice based learning.

The emphasis is on student-centred learning where your previous knowledge and skills are used to develop your new subject area. Learning activities include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practical classes and are guided using web-based supporting materials. You will also complete three practical placements to enable the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

A variety of assessment methods are used across the course. A small cohort ensures that individuals receive excellent support and benefit from sharing their experiences with classmates.

Placements

You will complete three periods of placement. Placements are randomly allocated as part of a Scottish-wide placement system. They can take place anywhere across Scotland.

Specialist facilities

QMU offers a variety of modern spaces for use by both our Master of Dietetics (MDiet) and MSc Dietetics (Pre-Registration) courses. Students have access to chemistry and microbiology laboratories for practical science based classes along with a fully equipped teaching kitchen and sensory suite for food based classes.  Practical rooms and a simulated ward environment are utilised for teaching and development of clinical skills. In addition, students have access to appropriate equipment for completing nutritional assessments which is incorporated into teaching across all years of the course. QMU also has an allotment/community garden and students can also access and become involved in the community garden activities.

Teaching hours and attendance

Each module is equivalent to a notional 200 hours of work (or multiple thereof), which is made up of attendance in class, online learning and independent work. The structure of each module is different with different attendance requirements for each timetabled module. Over an average semester the expectation is that during 14 weeks of teaching students will undertake approximately 40 hours per week of student effort, including contact classes, online learning and independent study time. Students will  complete the course via a full-time route.

All placements are completed on a full-time basis and in line with the requirements of the dietetic service, normally Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

Class sizes

Normally there are 12-15 students enrolling on the course each year. Most of the classes are delivered alongside our undergraduate Master of Dietetics (MDiet) students.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

• Introduction to Dietetic Practice (Placement A) (20 credits) (includes 150 hours of practice based learning split between practice, third sector and university settings). : This module will introduce and begin to develop students’ knowledge and awareness of the Dietitians role within health and social care settings.
• Essentials of the Dietetic Management (20 credits): This module will provide students with a broad and integrated knowledge and understanding of the dietetic management of disease and to further develop the relevant professional skills and techniques required to effectively and sustainably manage individuals, groups and populations within the context of inter-professional working
• Nutrition Through the Life Course (20 credits): This module will allow students to apply and critically evaluate the scientific principles and nutritional needs of individuals throughout the life course and in different sub-groups of the population in the community.
• Disease Aetiology and Management (20 credits): This module will promote an integrated knowledge of the common disorders and treatments of the gastrointestinal tract, of renal and cardio-respiratory systems and an understanding of the metabolism and endocrinology of key metabolic disorders.
• Dietetic Management of Long-Term Conditions (20 credits): This module will provide students with a critical and integrated knowledge and understanding of the dietetic management of long term conditions children, young people and adults. It will also further develop the relevant professional skills and techniques required to effectively and sustainably manage those living with long term conditions within a multi-professional health and social care landscape.
• Epidemiology in Public Health (20 credits): Students will gain a critical and applied understanding of how epidemiological research is used in the field of public health and will be able to analyse and interpret a real-life public health dataset and make recommendations for public health practice/health promotion based on findings.
• Developing Dietetic Practice (Placement B) (60 credits) (Includes 12 weeks practice-based learning): This module will enable students to apply their broad and integrated theoretical knowledge and further develop the range of skills needed to work as a Dietitian with a range of client groups and within a range of care settings.
• Innovative and Emerging Practice (40 credits): This module will provide students with an applied and critical knowledge and understanding of innovative and emerging dietetic practice.
• Consolidating Dietetic Practice (Placement C) (60 credits) (Includes 12 weeks practice-based learning): This module will enable students to become competent in translating theory into practice to demonstrate competency in the range of skills required to work as a graduate Dietitian.
• Applying Skills of Critical Enquiry (40 credits): The module aims to enable learners to develop and apply the skills of research and enquiry to produce a small scale study which demands a professional approach, academic rigour, independence and self-direction.

NB The modules listed are correct at time of posting (October 2023) however the course will be revalidated in Spring 2024 and it will likely result in some changes. Please check back here for updates. 

Graduates enjoy a good variety of career options. Most graduates normally choose to work within the NHS as dietitians. Others will work in health education, health promotion, general practice, private healthcare and government advisory posts. Opportunities also exist in the food and pharmaceutical industries in, for example: food labelling, nutrient profiling, product and recipe development, product evaluation and special diet foods. Some graduates may apply for the opportunity to study for a higher degree (ProfDoc or PhD).

Entry requirements

A good honours degree (minimum upper second class honours (2:1) or above is required that includes significant emphasis on human physiology and biochemistry.

An application should illustrate what has been done by the applicant to research, and understand more about the role of a dietitian. In particular, evidence of understanding the skills, attributes and values required to work as a dietitian should be shown in the application supporting statement.

Where an applicant has an undergraduate degree in a related subject but does not have the required biological science content they can be considered for entry to the course as an associate student if they can demonstrate the appropriate professional skill development following their undergraduate degree (e.g. nursing or psychology degree). As a successful associate student, theywill complete the biological science content in Years One and Two of the undergraduate Master of Dietetics (MDiet)  (consisting of two modules in semester 1 and one module in semester 2). If they complete these modules with a pass of >60%, this would then permit entry into the MSc Dietetics (pre-registration) course the following year.

We appreciate that it can be difficult to get shadowing experience, so relevant personal and professional experience that demonstrates development of key transferable skills to those required by dietitians would be beneficial.

International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 7.0 and no individual component score below 6.5.

Other requirements

A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required.

Other costs

• The cost of professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. For more information on this, visit the PG 2024 fees page on our website.
• The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
• Uniform, PVG and badge costs – please see PG 2024 fees page on our website.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Applying for this course

Application for September 2024 entry is now closed.

Application deadline

31 January 2024

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2024/25 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).

Contact Alison Lyles (Programme Leader) or contact Admissions 

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