Nutrition and Dietetics BSc (Hons)

The University of Winchester

• Pursue a rewarding career path 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 industry

• Acquire valuable hands-on experience with a variety of service users and industry organisations through relevant placements in years 2, and 3

• Learn from supportive and accessible lecturers who have experience of working in a wide range of related professional fields

Would you like to influence food and health policy across the spectrum, from government to local communities and individuals?

Train to be a registered dietitian or a professional nutritionist and you will be able to diagnose and treat a wide range of nutrition problems found in today’s society.

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 biochemistry and human physiology you will also study communication skills, 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. Some work will be undertaken in our biochemistry laboratory.

During the three-year programme you undertake professional placements in years 2 and 3 (a possible total of 28 weeks) at local healthcare providers. This will give you the opportunity to develop your clinical skills alongside other health 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, health and wellbeing, physiotherapy and sports-related degrees.

In Year 1, you study Foundations of Nutrition, Foundations of Food Science and Food Technology, Introduction to Professional Practice, Foundations of Human Physiology, and Foundational Biochemistry.

With a good foundation in place, in Year 2 you critically explore areas such as Biochemistry and Human Physiology in more depth as well as studying Health, Disease and Nutrition, Research Methods for Care Professions, Social and Psychological Studies, and Healthcare Systems in the UK. Proposed optional modules may include Malnutrition at Home and Abroad, Eating Disorders, and Nutrition Across the Lifespan.

Your final-year subjects include Nutrition in Practice, Public Health, Nutrition and Genetics, and Applied Professional Practice. In addition you undertake an Independent Project in Nutrition and Dietetics in an area that especially interests you. Proposed optional modules may include Nutrition and the Environment, Sport Nutrition, Diabetes, and Phenylketonuria.

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 currently applying to be accredited by the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. 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.