MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration)

Our MSc (Pre-Registration) Dietetics course aims to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the relationships between diet, disease and health.

It’s designed to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence, so that you can develop a career as a professional dietician in both the health and food sectors.

You’ll have days with a mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions so that you develop technical skills as well as academic knowledge of food science.

You’ll consider the impact of genetics, physiology and anatomy, pharmacology and immunology, and how these specialities are related to dietetics.

You’ll combine the knowledge gained in nutritional epidemiology and apply it to real life issues that are affecting populations both in the UK and worldwide. This helps to develop the communication and skills you’ll need to promote a healthy nutrition.

In other units, you’ll consider professional aspects of being a dietitian across sectors including government, health and industry and employment contracts.

Our academic team at Manchester Met is made up of a range of experts including registered nutritionists, food scientists and dietitians. Many conduct research projects in their area of obesity, diabetes and ageing-related diseases and you may have the opportunity to volunteer to help in such projects.

Recent research projects include looking at diet interventions such as the role of 5:2 diet studies in managing acute disease outcomes, such as obesity and diabetes, and assessing diet quality among young people (29-39 year old) in Greece and in the UK using Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and Diet Quality Index-International (DQi-I). We also work with the community and we are currently leading on a community project to encourage residents to grow and eat their own food.

In line with British Dietetic Association requirements, you will normally be expected to have an honours degree in a relevant subject at 2:1 or above or equivalent, and evidence of academic study in the five years prior to application. Relevant subject areas include biological sciences, physiology, biochemistry, chemistry and nutrition. You must meet requirements for NHS values-based assessment.

You will be required to have completed a minimum of 15 credits at level 4 or above in physiology, a minimum of 20 credits at level 4 or above in biochemistry and a minimum of 15 credits at level 4 or above in a relevant science subject such as genetics, immunology or pharmacology.

Selection of applicants will be based on academic achievement, personal statement, relevant work experience and the ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion values in healthcare.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also be able to communicate in English to a standard equivalent to level 7 of the International English Language Testing system (IELTS), with no element below 6.5. This is a requirement of the Standards of Proficiency for dietitians (HCPC, 2013).

A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this programme. In addition, students who have resided outside the UK will be required to provide evidence of a satisfactory overseas police check. Instructions on how to complete these checks will be provided once you hold a firm offer for this course.

Satisfactory occupational health clearance is also required to participate in this course. Pending Government consultation, it is not currently clear if this will include a requirement for students deployed on placement in CQC regulated activities in England to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Our placement providers and future employers may require this. Therefore, if you are considering this course, we would strongly advise you to take your covid-19 vaccines when due.