MSc Dietetics (February Start)

Key details

MSC DIETETICS (FEBRUARY START)

Start Year

2023

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Science

Duration (years)

Dietitians are the only qualified and registered health professional that can assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems. Dietitians use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on the impact of nutrition on health and disease, translating this into easy practical guidance for people to implement to reach their nutritional goals.

The dietetic profession is extremely varied, with opportunities working within the NHS, private clinics, public health, the food industry, sports nutrition and the media. You could find yourself working with people who are in hospital, in a clinic setting, nursing homes or at home. You could be helping young children to manage their newly diagnosed diabetes, or supporting an oncology patient through chemotherapy with taste changes and a poor appetite, or advising on tube feeding regimens for patients who are struggling to meet their dietary needs through food due to ill-health.

Our course prepares you through the small group inter-disciplinary teaching within your academic modules alongside practice placements within the NHS and dietetic roles.

You will join a community of enthusiastic lecturers and educators within the local hospitals, and be taught within a multi-professional health school, enabling you to graduate with confidence in your role and to provide person-centered holistic nutritional care in clinical practice.

Our MSc Dietetics was launched in February 2022 with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Dietetic Association (BDA) approval, and is fully compliant with the revised BDA 2020 curriculum.

About

Gain a Master’s degree in Dietetics at UEA so you can practice as a registered dietitian. The dietetic profession is diverse, requiring you to interpret evidence-based practice and professional reasoning, and to provide nutritional advice to improve physical health and quality of life of people during ill-health and disease.

Dietetics is a career suited to good communicators as no two individuals are the same. When treating people, it is important to listen to people’s lifestyles and health behaviours prior to providing individualised nutritional advice.

Through our newly developed programme, you will build a sound knowledge of the nutritional and clinical sciences which underpin health and disease. You will grow your communication skills to provide holistic patient-centered care to people. You will have access to our dedicated learning facilities, including ward simulations and technology suite. You will have direct patient contact and gain experience of professional dietetic practice through more than 1000 placements hours included within the course.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

Assessment methods will be a combination of practical skill oral examinations, written essays, reflective accounts, posters and case-management presentations. We will be assessing your communication skills as well as your ability to synthesise and articulate knowledge at Master’s level. The accelerated nature of this programme means that you’ll also need to demonstrate effective time-management.

Your assignments will be marked against the Senate Scale for Master’s-level work, but your practice placements will be marked at undergraduate level as pass/fail, with feedback offered on performance.

Structure

Our two-year full-time programme encompasses 45 weeks of teaching each year. Practice placements are integrated throughout the 45-week programme, enabling you to undertake supervised clinical work across the East Anglia Region. You will complete one seven-week placement within your first year and three placements in your second year (two seven-week placements and your final eight week placement).

Throughout the programme, there is a focus on enquiry-based learning (EBL), promoting student centered independent learning, problem solving and decision making.

Teaching and assessment will be structured into the following modules:

Year 1

Mandatory Training 1

Our Mandatory Training modules are designed for students who are required to complete clinical practice hours as part of their degree to provide education for their own and service user safety. By the end of the module, you will have completed all mandatory training required to undertake the first dietetic placement.

Dietetic Theory & Practice 1

This module introduces core themes of dietetic theory, linking these to practice through the practice placement one which is at the end of the module. The module encompasses the key areas of dietetic practice in a range of clinical settings, working with individuals, groups and communities. The module includes enquiry-based learning (EBL) cases which will focus on a lifespan approach.

Applied Physiology, Biochemistry and Nutrition

This module will provide a summary of the key elements of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology and microbiology in relation to nutrition and dietetic practice. This module will be delivered in sequence with the EBL sessions, to provide teaching which underpins the science of the dietetic practice.

Professional Development 1

Our Professional Development modules will help you develop Master’s-level academic skills, as well as team-working and professional communication abilities, and an understanding of how health and social care services work and improve. By the end of the programme you will begin to see yourself as a potential leader, capable of managing change.

Research 1

Our Research modules will help you engage with the research evidence for your professional practice. You will apply research to EBL, through which you will learn how to confidently incorporate the evidence base into your professional practice. You will also apply these techniques to your in-depth individual dissertation, which you will work on with your dedicated dissertation supervisor.

Teaching and Learning

Qualified dietitians need to apply knowledge to clinical practice (working with patients). This is mirrored through the enquiry based learning (EBL) process. You will undertake an EBL learning activity each week in small groups to cross-examine a case study. The group may be made up of just dietetic students or include occupational therapy and physiotherapy students to aid inter-disciplinary working and decision making. You will clarify what you need to learn as a group to resolve the issue and present your findings each week.

This is a full time accelerated masters degree. The taught elements of the full time programme will make up 3 – 4 days a week, with the rest of your working week dedicated to essential self-directed study. Master’s-level learning demands an active drive to research and embed theory effectively into your own practice, so that you’re able to provide strong evidence-based justifications for your proposed interventions and actions.

Independent study

Self-directed study and collaboration with peers are integral parts of our Master’s programme. Your lecturers will provide resources to facilitate the core activities via our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), but a healthy desire to integrate knowledge from a wide range of sources will be actively encouraged.

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Assessment for Year 2

Structure

Mandatory Training 2

Our Mandatory Training modules are designed for students who are required to complete clinical practice hours as part of their degree to provide education for their own and service user safety. By the end of the module you will have completed all mandatory training required to undertake the dietetic placements.

Dietetic Theory & Practice 2

This module consolidates the core themes of dietetic theory, linking to practice through three practice placements, including one extended placement. The module builds on the key skills, values and behaviours introduced by Dietetic Theory and Practice 1 to ensure students can qualify and apply to the HCPC register.

Professional Development 2

Research 2

Teaching and Learning

Independent study

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Assessment for Year 1

Compulsory Modules

DIETETIC THEORY & PRACTICE 1

Code HSC-7076X

Credits 40

This module introduces the core themes of dietetic theory and links these to practice through a practice placement towards the end of the module. The module encompasses the key areas of dietetic practice in a range of clinical settings, individuals, groups and communities. The module explores the role of different biopsychosocial models such as behaviour change models and health beliefs models and how these models are applied to support the communication of and education in healthy living strategies. This is a longitudinal theme throughout the module. The enquiry-based learning (EBL) cases focus on a lifespan approach in this module with cases that represent a wide range of clinical conditions that occur at different life stages. Topics on dietetic knowledge and theory include: A review of the aims of dietary management and the underpinning evidence base. Translation of nutrition guidelines appropriate to enable the empowerment of individuals and communities/groups to make informed choices. The rationale for modification of energy and nutrient intake.Topics on applied knowledge and understanding of sociology and psychology include: social, communication, educational and qualitative research theories. Students undertaking this module will also undertake 210 hours of clinical placement across a 7-week placement in a Dietetic clinical environment. This first placement will facilitate the application of theory to practice in order to develop a foundation level of understanding of dietetic practice. This first practice placement will focus on the development of core identified BDA Dietetic Knowledge, Skills, Values and Behaviours along with formative and summative assessment of HCPC Generic and Dietetic Proficiencies.

APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY & NUTRITION

Code HSC-7077X

Credits 20

Applied physiology, biochemistry and nutrition is a year long module that supports the Dietetic Theory and Practice 1 module. This module reviews the scientific content of the Dietetics curriculum to support the learning in the case studies of the EBL sessions in Dietetic Theory and Practice 1. The relevant underpinning science and nutrition knowledge learning objectives are delivered in this module in sequence with the relevant EBL case. This module will provide a summary of the key elements of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology and microbiology in relation to nutrition and dietetic practice (QAA 2019, BDA 2020). The module will also provide, critical integrated and applied knowledge and understanding of applied nutrition and food. Topics include the role of physiological processes in health and disease, the role of microbiology and biochemistry in both food processing spoilage and the role of nutrition in fundamental pathophysiological processes. The learning objectives will be delivered using a range of teaching methods including the use of programmes such as Mastering Anatomy and Physiology and Clinicalkey, the use of the flipped classroom and a module conference day where advances in nutritional practice are show cased, drawing on both student led and external speaker session Teaching is predominantly built around facilitated self-directed study using a range of relevant resources, followed by workshop activities to encourage application of core knowledge.

MANDATORY TRAINING

Code HSC-7000X

Credits 0

Mandatory training is a requirement for all Occupational Therapy, Dietetics and Physiotherapy programmes, stipulated by the governing professional bodies and our clinical practice partners. As an Occupational Therapy, Dietetics and Physiotherapy student, you will be required to complete clinical practice hours as part of your degree. In order to prepare you for this, you will complete a mandatory set of core training sessions to prepare you for safe working within a healthcare environment. You will explore areas such as: basic life support, moving and handling of people, methods to prevent and control the spread of infection, supporting vulnerable adults and children, protecting confidential information, managing challenging situations and fire safety. This core set of skills is required by all healthcare professionals and this module will help to ensure your own safety and that of service users, staff and anyone else you encounter.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1

Code HSC-7044X

Credits 20

This module introduces the concept of continuing professional development and explores the tools which can be employed in lifelong learning. It develops transferable skills, building on existing academic skills of critical enquiry and research practice.

RESEARCH 1

Code HSC-7056X

Credits 20

We will introduce you to various health databases and you will be able to engage with the evidence base relevant to your own professional practice. You will learn methods to appraise research quality and relate it back to your clinical practice. You will learn how to scrutinise research evidence. You will have the opportunity to choose a topic of interest for your final dissertation from a wide variety available. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor and have meetings one-to-one periodically throughout the course duration. You will also participate in journal clubs and have many opportunities to read and share research evidence with your peers

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Assessment for Year 2

Compulsory Modules

MANDATORY TRAINING

Code HSC-7001X

Credits 0

As an occupational therapy, dietetics or physiotherapy student, you are required to complete clinical practice hours as part of your degree. Mandatory training is a requirement of these programmes, stipulated by the governing professional bodies and our clinical practice partners. It is important that you undertake a number of training sessions to ensure your own safety and that of service users, staff and anyone else you encounter.

DIETETIC THEORY & PRACTICE 2

Code HSC-7078X

Credits 30

This module consolidates the core themes of dietetic theory and links these to practice through the three practice placements, including one extended placement, which are summatively assessed as part of this module. The module encompasses the key areas of dietetic practice in a range of clinical settings, individuals, groups and communities. The module builds on the key skills, values and behaviours introduced in Dietetic Theory and Practice 1 (DTP 1) to ensure the students meet both the British Dietetics Association (BDA) curriculum standards and HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Dietetics by the end of the module. These are required to enable course graduates to apply for inclusion on to the HCPC register. The module draws upon the student’s use of CPD tools, quality measures and service development tools, critical enquiry, research methodology and evidence basedpracticetopromoteadvancedclinicalreasoningandcreativemanagement strategies for patients and service users in a variety of clinical settings. It will encourage the students to develop avenues of emerging scope of practice through a subject block focusing on nutrition, the health of the nation and health promotion.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2

Code HSC-7050X

Credits 20

This module further develops the concept and ownership of your personal continuing professional development. You’ll be expected to continue to examine your own experiences and learning needs to facilitate your transition from student to autonomous practitioner. You’ll be encouraged to progressively refine your skills of reflective practice and to continue to collect portfolio based evidence to support your continuing professional development through engagement in real life service improvement tasks. Professionalism and employability will be further developed and facilitated by your personal advisors to monitor development in these areas.

RESEARCH 2

Code HSC-7053X

Credits 30

You will undertake a research dissertation on a topic of your choosing. We will support you throughout the duration of the module and help you submit your final dissertation. Through the experience of working alongside a key member of the academic team, you will develop significant expertise in your chosen research area. When you complete the module, you will be able to interpret and evaluate research in your area of professional practice. You will experience how to design and deliver research, and learn about essential components of good clinical practice and research ethics. This module will follow on from the research module in the first year.

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Important Information

Entry Requirements

Degree classification

Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.2 classification or equivalent

Degree subject

should be in a subject with sufficient relevant physiology and biochemistry. Suitable degrees include but not limited to: biomedical sciences, human nutrition, nutritional science, biochemistry, human biology, physiology, health sciences; or from a nutrition background: food science, applied human nutrition, clinical pathology, pharmacology, therapeutic dietetics.

Additional entry requirements

This is a pre-registration course.

You must have graduated from your degree within the last 10 years of the start date of the MSc Dietetics course. Applicants may also be considered outside this timeframe if they have highly relevant work experience. Highly relevant experience includes but is not limited to those who have previous or current employment as a dietetic assistant, registered nutritionist, Clinical Scientist, Biomedical Scientist or work in the NHS, private sector or industry in a post graduate level role in a relevant subject.

You must show a clear understanding of dietetics, the role of dietitians and the role of a health professional within various clinical settings alongside relevant work shadowing.
You must have a strong profile of secondary qualifications in sciences (A-level or equivalent). Applicants need to have minimum of a GCSE Biology (grade 4 / C) or GCSE Double Science (grade 4/4 or C/C) and GCSE English and Mathematics (grade 4 / C) or equivalent.

Students accessing this programme must be of good health and character which is sufficient to enable safe and effective practice. The assessment of this will include satisfactory occupational health and enhanced criminal record (DBS) checks before entrance to the programme. Students must also make an annual declaration of good health and good character. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have complied with the University’s requirements with regard to their enhanced DBS. All offers of places are conditional on satisfactory DBS clearance.

Requests for accreditation of prior learning (APL) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Accreditation of prior learning (APL) is defined as a system whereby academic credits can be awarded for previous learning that has taken place.

PLACEMENTS
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.

Students for whom english is a foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English or those whose degree was not taught in English.

To ensure such students benefit fully from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English.

Our minimum entry requirements are as follows:

IELTS: 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components
Pearson (PTE): 76 overall with a minimum of 67 in all components.

All test scores must be less than two years old.

Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests.

INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk

Interviews

The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview. Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your application.

Our interviews for February 2024 entry will take place on our campus. You will be invited to a morning or afternoon session by email. The email will include the arrival time and building location. We use a few of the buildings on our campus for interviews, but they will either be on our Main Campus or on our West Campus (which is around a 20-minute walk from the centre of the Main Campus, near the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital). The session will last no longer than 3 hours in total. 

You will take part in ‘multiple mini-interviews’ with academic staff members from the School of Health Sciences, clinicians from the profession you are applying for, students from the course, and/or health service users.

Note that we will not disclose interview questions in advance of the interviews, but in general terms the interviews will explore a range of issues, including your suitability for the profession and the NHS values (as reflected in the NHS constitution). We’ll look to consider your motivation to study this course, as well as whether you have an interest in people and a clear understanding of the profession (ideally with relevant voluntary or paid work in healthcare).

Applicants who are based outside of the UK at the point of applying will be offered an online interview. The format will match the process outlined above as closely as possible.

Intakes

This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in February each year.

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Scholarship Finder

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Will a Master's help my career?

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Course Reference Number: 6949577

MSc DIETETICS (FEBRUARY START)