Human Nutrition and Dietetics, MSc

The MSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics programme offered at University of Limerick (UL) is a Graduate Entry Masters of Science programme delivered over two years full-time. This innovative evidence-based interfaculty programme is an opportunity for honours graduates to pursue studies that will lead to them becoming competent nutritionists and dietitians working in a variety of settings. Broadly, graduates of the programme will build on a prior knowledge base of physiology and biochemistry and apply it to the role of food and nutrition in health and disease.

Students will undertake modules in the School of Allied Health (Faculty of Education and Health Sciences) and in the Department of Biological Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering). Students will undertake shared modules with other healthcare disciplines in the School of Allied Health through an interprofessional education model, thereby being exposed from the outset to an integrated multidisciplinary team approach to healthcare.

In addition to academic modules at UL, students on the MSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics programme will complete 1000 hours of clinical, community and role-emerging placement over two years which includes a summer study period. Clinical placement modules will take place in a range of settings (tertiary and secondary hospitals, primary care, public health and food service establishments) and with patients of all ages. Placements may be based outside of Limerick.

Programme Aims

The MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics aims to develop graduates who are able to:

• Establish therapeutic relationships with diverse populations through optimising the nutrition of communities and individuals, in a range of settings.
• Critique and apply evidence to patient assessment, diagnosis and nutritional management
• Be competent in the prescription, delivery and monitoring of nutrition and dietetic interventions, based on an evidence-based and clinically-reasoned approach for the effective management of people with a range of conditions.
• Employ the principles of client centred practice.
• Collaborate with clients, colleagues and communities.
• Engage in continuing professional development.
• Use an innovative and creative approach to meet evolving service developments and healthcare needs.
• Conduct research and appraise the scientific literature to inform an evidence-based approach to research and practice.
• Integrate the ethical, social and cultural dimensions of healthcare within clinical judgement.

Programme Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate mastery in the application of specialist knowledge in line with the required dietetic standards of proficiency as set out by the Dietitians Registration Board of CORU.
• Understand the associations between nutrition, health and disease to enable the integration and application to the practice of dietetics.
• Use an evidence-based framework to provide practical and holistic solutions to a range of changing and complex nutrition and dietetic issues in a range of settings.
• Apply critical thinking in the dietetic assessment and management of individuals, groups and communities.
• Exercise professional and ethical dietetic practice for individuals, groups and communities from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and in different environments.

University of Limerick believes in the principles of social justice and aims to ensure that all applicants, students and staff are treated fairly and with dignity and respect in line with institutional policies.