• Year 1

• You will study psychosocial aspects of patient care, biochemistry, physiology, food science, and human nutrition to underpin modules in dietetics and applied nutrition in subsequent years. Sharing teaching with other health professions during part of the year helps you to understand the need for multi-professional working. You will learn how to critically appraise evidence and be introduced to the importance of public health nutrition. You will spend two weeks in your first supervised placement.

  Core modules

  • Nutritional Biochemistry (DIET407)

    This module provides an introduction to the chemistry, biochemistry and metabolic principles underpinning the science of human nutrition.

  • Physiology and Genetics (DIET408)

    This module provides the background in physiology and genetics to enable the learner to develop and incorporate these concepts into modules at level 5. The module has been designed to include the majority of the material that is considered to be essential in providing a sound understanding of the biosciences that underpin dietetics.

  • Human Nutrition, Food Studies and the Lifecycle (DIET409)

    To provide a foundation for the study of human nutrition, a global perspective of the food provisioning system and investigate relationships between food, diet and lifestyle. To investigate the theory and practical aspects of dietary intake assessment and evaluate nutritional requirements throughout stages of the life cycle.

  • Psychosocial Aspects of Patient Centred Care (DIET410)

    Students will explore the psychosocial aspects of patient centred care. An introduction to psychosocial aspects of care and impact on health and wellbeing. Students will study the concepts of patient centred care by exploring psychological and social aspects and how these impact on an individual's food choice, lifestyle and health behaviour.

  • Placement A (DIET411)

    Students will explore the psychosocial aspects of patient centred care. An introduction to psychosocial aspects of care and impact on health and wellbeing. Students will study the concepts of patient centred care by exploring psychological and social aspects and how these impact on an individual's food choice, lifestyle and health behaviour.

  • Nutritional Epidemiology & Public Health Nutrition (DIET412)

    The module will introduce the principles of evidence based practice and the study of nutritional epidemiology. It will provide an introduction to the relationship between diet and disease, combining nutritional knowledge with skills in evaluation of dietary assessment methodologies to investigate the determinants of health and disease in populations. These epidemiological concepts will then be applied in the context of public health nutrition.

  • Preparation for Practice (SOHP401)

    This inter-professional module will introduce students to professional practice and the inherent standards expected of them. The characteristics and identity of allied health professionals, as evidence based practitioners, will underpin learning.

• Year 2

• You will work on an integrated and innovative series of problem-based learning exercises to extend the depth and breadth of your knowledge in nutrition, dietetics and clinical sciences. An understanding of immunology and pharmacology will be developed. You will undertake 12 weeks of supervised clinical practice to enable you to develop the confidence and personal skills required to work as a dietitian. We will introduce you to the concepts of professional studies, providing learning opportunities for problem solving with other healthcare professionals.

  Core modules

  • Pathophysiology (DIET501)

    This module runs in parallel with the major modules in dietetic practice. The module is designed to provide basic knowledge on basic pathophysiology as well as to introduce the student to the basic concepts of epidemiology and medical diagnosis. The appropriate pathophysiology is encountered at the same time as the conditions are examined from a clinical and dietetic viewpoint.

  • Dietetics 1 (DIET507)

    This module will introduce students to an evidence based approach to dietary modification for health in different care groups with a wide diversity of ages and social conditions. It will address, in particular, the factors which affect and difficulties of implementing dietary change.

  • Metabolism and Pharmacology (DIET508)

    The metabolic element of this module explores the physiological and metabolic background to nutrition through the lifecycle. Basic nutritional metabolism will be studied to provide the basis to look at (in other modules) the role of metabolism in various conditions. The pharmacological element of this module introduces the student dietitian to the basic principles of pharmacology. The mode of action of drugs, the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of drugs, and the interaction between diet and drugs.

  • Metabolism and Immunology (DIET509)

    This module explores the physiological and metabolic background to diet related diseases, the role of nutrition in immune function and the influence of nutrients and exercise on the maintenance of optimal health.

  • Placement B (DIET510)

    During this 12 week placement, students will begin to apply their theoretical knowledge through blended, virtual and on-site placements and develop the range of skills required to work as a dietitian. Including procedures for the assessment, intervention and monitoring of clients with a range of non-complex conditions in a variety of settings.

  • Dietetics in Practice 1 (DIET511)

    This module will require students to put into practice the theory studied in Dietetics 1. Students will learn how to adapt meals and use special products to meet an individual's nutritional requirements. They will develop their communication, educational and motivational interviewing abilities. Students will build confidence in core dietetic skills in preparation for their B placement.

• Final year

• You will develop skills to work with more complex patients. An understanding of the principles of sustainable leadership, digital marketing and effective management skills will be embedded. You will work on an in-depth research project in an area of personal interest related to dietetics or nutrition. Your final clinical placement will have a strong patient focus, emphasis being on professional mastery and fitness for practice required for employment and registration as a dietitian with the HCPC.

  Core modules

  • Project Design (DIET605)

    Students will explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module will formulate a research proposal. The module will explore defining and refining a research question, selecting and appraising methodology, ethical considerations, selecting and appraising data collection and analysis techniques.

  • Dietetics 2 (CBL) (DIET606)

    This module will help students review their practical dietetic experiences and build on these through a questioning/problem solving approach. Students will justify approaches and consider the concept of evidenced-based practice in dietary therapy for complex conditions to put together nutrition and dietetic interventions for case scenarios.

  • Dietetics in Practice 2 (DIET607)

    The module will require students to put into practice the theory studied in Dietetics 2. The major emphasis is on communication and educational skills; presentation and evaluation of different techniques used by dietitians for individuals and groups.

  • Placement C (DIET608)

    This 12 week placement builds on the practical skills and knowledge acquired in placement B with an increasing focus on clients with complex needs. Students become competent in translating theory into practice and in demonstrating the range of skills needed to work as a newly qualified dietitian.

  • Dissertation (DIET609)

    This module builds on DIET605, the 'Project Design' module. Students will investigate systematically and in-depth a topic of relevance to the field of nutrition and dietetics. They will present and discuss their findings in the context of the contemporary evidence base, and consider the implications of their findings on practice. A report will be prepared, suitable for publication. Through this module students will deepen their understanding of the process of research and link theory to practice in their chosen area.

  • Leadership Roles for Sustainability (DIET611)

    This module provides an understanding of sustainability leadership roles for Allied Health Professionals relevant to supporting their skills development for a changing healthcare future. Students will learn how to design, evaluate and communicate the impact of a more sustainable area of practice. They will use sustainability leadership techniques and appraise how these will impact more effective sustainable management of practice in both the public and private sector. There will be a focus on the use of quality improvement frameworks and effective use of digital marketing to promote best practice.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change: