MSc Dietetics (pre-registration) | Health Sciences University

Postgraduate  |  Bournemouth

MSc Dietetics (pre-registration)

MSc

Fulfil your ambition of becoming a dietitian, by building on your BSc qualification with everything you’ll need to be a competent professional clinician. Applications are now open to start this course in January 2026. We encourage you to apply by 30 September 2025.

Dietetics Class having a discussion using plastic models of food portions
Course Title MSc Dietetics (pre-registration)
Qualification MSc
Study Mode Full-time
Accreditation Health and Care professions Council (HCPC) and British Dietetic Association (BDA) approved.
Duration 2 years
Start Date January entry
Location Bournemouth

Overview


Dietitians are key members of the healthcare workforce, applying their knowledge of food, nutrition, human science and research to help their patients make good choices. This intensive two-year pre-registration degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need as a qualified dietitian. It’s the only Level 7 Dietetics course in Bournemouth that blends teaching, experiential learning at our on-site pro-section lab, in-house and external placements, and hands-on experience.

Using the latest learning technology, you’ll cover food science, food safety, patient assessment, clinical reasoning, acute and chronic disease, meal planning, nutritional assessment, public health, physiology, team working, research methods and the application of research to practice.

During your two years you’ll learn how to translate complex scientific information about nutrition into everyday patient care, ready to embark on a career working with patients including people with chronic illness, children, athletes and those wishing to make better choices about their health.

This course follows the standards of proficiency of the regulator of the profession, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the curriculum framework of the professional body, The British Dietetic Association (BDA).

 

To register your interest for the course or ask any questions about the course, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

Course Details


What you will learn on the course?

This course aims to develop your understanding of the human body and the effect food has upon us in health and disease.

Units on the course cover food science, food safety, patient assessment, clinical reasoning, acute and chronic disease, meal planning, nutritional assessment, public health, physiology, team working, research methods and application of research to practice.

How the course is taught

This intensive course is taught through a combination of theory, skills development and placement. Learn through a mix of clinical skills classes, problem-based seminars and placement whilst developing research knowledge and the principals of evidence-based practice. You will also have access to a variety of online materials and literature through our dedicated learning services.

Delivery Approach

We utilise a diverse range of delivery approaches including:

  • seminars
  • workshops
  • practice sessions (including our own on-site clinic)
  • manual/practical  skills
  • placement opportunities
  • peer and expert observations
  • online learning

Teaching

Teaching is usually delivered on campus from Wednesday to Friday, with occasional exceptions. You can expect around 10–12hours of scheduled contact time each week, supported by additional 10-12 hours per week directed study, plus 10-12 hours per week independent and group study.

Placement

Placements are a mandatory requirement of the course allowing graduates to apply their learning from the classroom to real life patients. Placements will be sourced from local providers.

Full‐time commitment, including 1000 hours of practice placement hours (across clinical, community, industry settings)

Additional Information

  • Gain 1000+ hours of clinical experience from local placements providers
  • We are one of only a handful of Universities in the UK teaching this degree
  • We are a small and specialist health sciences university with over 50 years’ experience delivering health science degrees
  • Study under expert guidance in a multidisciplinary and collaborative community of like-minded individuals all either learning, teaching, researching or practicing health sciences

Unit Breakdown


Units

You will study the follow mandatory (core) profession-specific units:

  • Dietetic Practice Learning
  • Foundations of Dietetic Practice
  • Nutrition and Food Science
  • Physiology, Pathology and Pharmacology in Dietetics
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • Concepts in Public Health Nutrition for Dietetics

You will also study the following mandatory (core) Inter-Professional units:

  • Research & Knowledge Exchange Project
  • Research and Evaluative Methods
  • Essentials of Professional Practice
  • Promoting Health and Wellbeing through Collaborative Practice
  • Leadership and Innovation

Staff


Grainne Ford

Course Leader

Gráinne Ford

Course Lead for MSc Dietetics at HSU

Full bio

Entry Requirements


Essential requirements

Essential requirements

We would normally expect to see: A first or second class (2:1 or 2:2)BSc Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant health-related degree demonstrating evidence of sufficient biological science content (e.g., human nutrition, human physiology / anatomy, biochemistry, metabolism.) in prior degree.

Examples include biochemistry, biomedical science, nutrition, physiology, human biology, health science, sports and nutrition-related degree.

Is there anything else that’s required?

Is there anything else that’s required?

If you live in the UK, we’ll need a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS) check. It’s standard for all UK students and we’ll be there to guide you through the process once you’ve applied.

To gain a place on the course applicants must also successfully undergo an interview process. More information about this process will be provided if/when applicants are invited to the interview stage.

Enhanced DBS check and an occupational health screening are required prior to commencement on the course.

International Students
International Students

Overseas applicants will require an overall score of 7.0 overall or equivalent (with no element below 6.5) for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS) that is no more than 2 years old on application; or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 100 with minimum scores of 24 in listening and reading, 23 in speaking and 27 in writing.

You can find out more about the IELTS here. https://www.hsu.ac.uk/study/apply/how-to-apply/international-applicants/english-language-requirements/ 

International students will be required to pay a non-refundable £1,000 tuition fee deposit to secure their place on the course. Details will be provided in your offer email.

How do I apply?

Please use the Apply Now button above to make an application for this course through our online application system.

Applications for this course are reviewed on a rolling basis and places are offered as they become available; we encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment. Applications may close early if capacity is reached before 30th September.

Still have questions about applying?

Register Your Interest


Register Your Interest / Enquiry

Course Fees


Tuition Fees 2025/26

UK/ROI/Channel Islands

£9,535 per annum

International

£19,294 per annum

Please note that these fees are for the 2025-26 academic year only and may be subject to increase in subsequent years of study. Any increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy but will not be more than 5%.

Tuition Fees 2026/27

UK/ROI/Channel Islands

£9,790

International

£17,684

These fees are for the 2026/27 academic year only and may be subject to an increase in subsequent years of study. Any future increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy which can be accessed on our Study Money Matters page.

Additional Course Costs

For more information see Additional Costs page.

  • Students will be required to attend placements which will take place in NHS settings. Whilst we aim to keep student placements close to the University College campus, it may be necessary for some travel to be required. The costs associated with attending placements are the student’s responsibility and should be factored into their annual budgeting for the course.
  • Students will be expected to have an electronic device on which they can access course materials. They will need a secure internet connection with enough bandwidth to stream videos and online content. Students will also be expected to purchase copies of any required textbooks and may wish to purchase their own copies of some recommended textbooks. Books are estimated to cost between £50 and £200. There are no direct printing costs, but some students may prefer to print out materials. Students may have to bear the costs of accessing articles not already accessible through our learning services, all access to articles held by our learning services is included in the yearly fee.

More information

The Funding Clinic (Funding information for studying the allied health professions)

Should you have any questions on course fees please see our Fees and Payment Information page or contact our admissions team on the form below.

 

Looking for accommodation in Bournemouth?

If you’re joining a programme in January and looking for accommodation, we’ve got you covered with a range of options to suit your needs.

Students looking at paperwork in class

Why choose Health Sciences University

There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.

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