Nutrition and Dietetics

Train to be a registered dietitian and you will be able to apply the nutritional care process; from developing a nutritional diagnosis to managing a wide range of nutrition related health care 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 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 health care 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, Fundamentals of Food Science and Food Technology, Preparing for Professional Practice, Introduction to Nutrition Physiology, Introduction to Human Nutrition, Introduction to Sociology and Health, Fundamentals of Communication Skills and Introduction to 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 Clinical Dietetics, Health, Disease and Nutrition, Introduction to Scientific Research Methods and Enterprise, , Pharmacology, Behavioural Sciences, Professionalism in Dietetics, Public Health and Epidemiology including Healthcare Systems in the UK.

Your final-year subjects include Integrated Nutrition Care Planning – Adults and Paediatrics, and Applied Professional Practice. In addition you undertake an Independent Project 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. 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.