MSc Dietetics

Teaching & Learning

Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through several modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.

Core Modules

What You'll Learn

Research & Practice Development

This autonomous learning module provides you with an opportunity to undertake a small-scale piece of research and/or development that underpins your health-related practice within nutrition, environmental health or health promotion.

Practice Placement A

The first of three practice placements takes place early on in the academic course and aims to introduce you to the work of the dietitian by observing working practices and undertaking practical exercises. During this 3-week work-based practice placement, you will complete a workbook consisting of nine tasks to achieve six learning outcomes as agreed with Placement providers.

Research Methods for Nutrition

Gain the theoretical foundation and practical skills required to complete small-scale research with the Research and Practice Development module. You will focus on writing a research proposal, learning how to conduct research and how to analyse health-related data before undertaking the Research and Practice Development module. Formal recognition and confirmation of the marks awarded for the Research Methods in Nutrition module will be confirmed by the Examination Committee at the end of semester 2 of your first year.

Applied Nutrition Support

Develop a critical approach to dietetic care pathways for acute and chronic disease. You will focus on nutritional assessment, requirements, adaptation of diet, consideration of psycho-social elements and the ethical dilemmas faced in developing the professional skills needed to apply diet therapy.

Enterprise in Public Health Nutrition

Study a critical and in-depth approach to enterprise in public health nutrition. You will do this by taking a population and lifespan-based approach to the nutritional needs of individuals/communities and contemporary issues influencing these.

Nutrition Advances in Practice

Explore in depth the theory and principles underpinning human nutrition and dietetics. You will study the integration of clinical science, food and nutritional science which informs human nutrition and nutritional requirements together with the sociological and psychological factors that influence food and health.

Professional Development for Practice

Develop the professional skills and abilities of a registered dietitian to deliver high-quality patient care and practice within the complex frameworks of accountability, ethical and legal boundaries and the multi-disciplinary and multi-agency workplace.
Lifestyle & Long-term Conditions

Develop a critical approach to the holistic management of lifestyle and long-term conditions. This involves synthesis and evaluation of clinical sciences, aetiology of disease, psychological and sociological perspectives, diagnosis and treatment which together with the patient's goals and priorities all inform the tailoring of diet therapy.

Option modules

What You'll Learn

Practice Placement C

During this 12-week work-based practice placement you will continue to apply knowledge and develop skills to achieve nine learning outcomes which are practice-based competencies as agreed with Practice Placement providers and in line with HCPC requirements for eligibility to apply for registration as a dietitian on successful completion of the course.

Practice Placement B

During this 13-week work-based practice placement you will apply knowledge and develop skills to achieve nine learning outcomes which are practice-based competencies as agreed with Placement providers and in line with HCPC requirements for eligibility to apply for registration as a dietitian on successful completion of the course.

Reflection & Consolidation of Practice

Critically reflect on and consolidate professional practice as you prepare to develop innovative approaches that improve patient outcomes and enable the delivery of safe nutritional care in a consistent and organised way.

Research & Practice Development 2

This autonomous learning module provides you with an opportunity to undertake a small-scale piece of research and/or development that underpins your health-related practice within nutrition, environmental health or health promotion.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

1. Integrate and synthesise research evidence, theory, and principles in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, including clinical sciences, pharmacology, sociological, and psychological factors, to inform holistic care for individuals with acute, lifestyle, and long-term conditions.
2. Apply an enquiring, systematic, problem-solving approach, utilizing research, clinical guidelines, and policy to evaluate and enhance evidence-based dietetic practice.
3. Adopt a holistic and critically evaluative approach in dietetic practice for lifestyle and long-term conditions, fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary and multi-agency professional relationships within health and social care pathways.
4. Demonstrate competent practice in applying the dietetic care pathway across therapeutic conditions, including nutritional assessment, requirement calculations, diet adaptation, and consideration of psychosocial and ethical issues.
5. Integrate theoretical principles with a patient-centred approach, employing communication skills and professional practice to facilitate behaviour change in individuals, groups, and communities to promote health, addressing barriers as needed.
6. Demonstrate research acumen, professional skills, values, and behaviours as a registered dietitian, working autonomously within accountability, ethical, and legal boundaries while meeting employer frameworks and professional regulatory standards.
7. Critically apply leadership and enterprise skills to develop interventions and business plans promoting public health nutrition, inclusive of stakeholder needs and addressing wider health and social care contexts.
8. Work strategically within governance frameworks in integrated teams to innovate and lead reliable systems spanning health economies, aiming to improve patient outcomes and deliver high-quality nutritional care.
9. Critically reflect on practice to advance professional development, meet professional standards, evidence competencies to employers, support transition into the workplace, and pursue career aspirations.
10. Critically appraise areas of dietetic practice and contribute to relevant research and evidence-based practice through independent, high-quality research at the Master's level.
11. Apply the relevant skills and knowledge in a practised dietetic environment to demonstrate the
    competencies required to be eligible to apply for HCPC Registration as a Dietitian.

The course is strongly vocational, and our postgraduate students are highly successful in gaining employment as dietitians in the NHS. Practice learning is delivered in partnership with local NHS Trusts, enabling you to build relationships with local employers.

• Clinical dietitian
• Public health dietitian
• Research dietitian
• Dietitian working in the food industry