Nutrition or Dietetics?

I’m not fully sure what I want to study except it being relevant to food. So, if I ever decided or changed my mind in the future, if I was to study BSc nutrition, would I be able to apply to do a MSc Dietetics with that degree? Or would I have to start with BSc dietetics?

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by noidea._

If we start from the beginning of the process, if you look at the job profiles for dieticians...
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/dietitian#qualifications
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/dietitian
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/dietitian
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/medical/job-profile/dietitian
https://www.life-pilot.co.uk/job-sectors/medical/job-profile/dietitian
... you would notice that you would need an HCPC approved degree in dietics before you can apply for BDA membership.

Something from the BDA website:
https://www.bda.uk.com/about-dietetics/how-become-a-dietitian.html

The job profiles above states that you can do a MSc in dietics if your undergrad has sufficient material on biochemistry and human physiology. Nutrition should count (assuming that the degree is approved by the Association of Nutrition: https://www.associationfornutrition.org/degree-accreditation/accredited-programmes).

You can check on the HCPC website for the individual approved MSc degrees to be sure:
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/education/approved-programmes/approved-programmes-results/?ProviderQueryString=&Professions=270450004&PageSize=15
There are 75 courses from 30 institutions (I'm not going through every one of them), so you're kind of spoilt for choice should the odd university reject an undergrad in nutrition (there shouldn't be one as far as I know).

Unfortunately, I could not find approved degrees that cover both nutrition and dietics. Even if you find degrees that cover both subjects, you are not likely to be able to advise in both areas professionally with just one degree.
If you want to be able to do both, you would want your undergrad in nutrition (there are no approved postgrad degrees in nutrition) and then your postgrad in dietics.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

normaw

Volunteer Team

Original post by noidea._

The simple answer is yes – you would be able to do a masters in dietetics following an undergrad in nutrition. However, you would need to check the entry requirements for a few different masters courses. Approved degree courses can be found using the NHS course finder:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/course-finder

The title ‘Dietician’ is protected by law and dietetic degree courses need to be approved by the HCPC to maintain professional standards. A dietetics course would give you more employment opportunities with healthcare employers such as the NHS if that is an area you are interested in. ‘Nutritionist’ isn’t a protected title. The following page might help you decide which is the best route for you:

https://www.bda.uk.com/about-dietetics/what-is-dietitian/dietitian-or-nutritionist.html

If you are still undecided, there are some HCPC-approved combined dietetic and nutrition undergraduate courses:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Nutrition-and-Dietetics-MNutr-U7UNUTDT.html
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/dietetics-and-nutrition---bsc-hons/
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/nutrition-and-dietetics
https://www.winchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/bsc-hons-nutrition-and-dietetics-2024/
https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/course-search/nutrition--dietetics-bsc-hons-single-honours/

Reply 3

DrTom_Butler

Original post by noidea._

Hi noidea,

Food is a huge subject area so I would encourage you to try and narrow this down to a more specific area. For example, are you interested in food science or more of how food can be used in the management of health and disease?

One thing I would ensure you do is look for degrees that are accredited by the relevant professional bodies. The Association for Nutrition (AfN) is a key one to look for and is a good indicator of quality. It also means that when you graduate from an AfN accredited programme you can use the title of registered associate nutritionist (ANutr).

Most PG dietetics degrees will require you to have knowledge of anatomy and physiology, biochemistry and other sciences (with some requiring specific credits in these areas). Most nutrition degrees will have this but do your homework and check.

There is no need to do both a BSc AND MSc in dietetics if you goal is to work clinically with patients. Dietetics degree programmes are regulated by the HCPC, meaning that successful completion of either a BSc or MSc would allow you to use the title "dietitian". Most people who do an MSc in dietetics do so having completed a BSc degree and then realising they want a bit of a change. For example, I did human biology and then a research degree (PhD) before doing PG dietetics. Competition for PG dietetics will be higher for this reason.

If you do go down the dietetics route then it will involve clinical placements. These must be passed in order to pass the degree. If you are still unsure, I would suggest you speak to some working dietitians and try and get some shadowing experience, or attend a dietetics awareness day where you can find out a bit more about what dietitians actually do. Equally, if you'd like to have a bit more of a chat then send me a message (I'm a registered dietitian and registered nutritionist).