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Health Therapies at UEA
Find out more about studying Health Therapies at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Dietetics (pre-registration) (February Start)
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- February 2028
Other Start Dates
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UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Why MSc Dietetics at UEA?
Turn your passion for nutrition into a rewarding career through a course that combines cutting-edge science with over 1,000 hours of clinical placement. Learn in a supportive environment, developing the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to deliver high-quality dietetic care.
Why Choose UEA
- Placement experience: Complete over 1,000 hours of clinical placement, explore a specialist interest, or gain international experience
- Practice-ready learning: Build confidence in state-of-the-art simulation suites and interprofessional learning to prepare for real clinical environments
- Research-led teaching: Learn from active researchers and healthcare professionals, studying the latest nutrition science
What is MSc Dietetics?
Dietitians are the only registered health professionals in the UK that can assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems. Dietitians use the most up-to-date public health guidance 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.
Dietetics is ideal for strong communicators. Understanding a person's lifestyle and health behaviours is key to providing effective, personalised nutrition advice.
Through this dynamic course, you'll develop the scientific knowledge, clinical skills, and communication techniques needed to support people with a wide range of health conditions. You'll benefit from over 1,000 hours of clinical placement, direct patient experience, expert teaching, and excellent learning facilities, preparing you for careers across the NHS, private practice, public health, sports nutrition, and the food industry.
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Accreditations
This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
Careers
Career Pathways
With an MSc Dietetics degree, you could pursue careers as a:
- NHS Dietitian: Support patients across hospitals and community services as a registered Band 5 dietitian
- Sports Dietitian: Help athletes and active individuals optimise performance, recovery, and long-term health through nutrition
- Freelance Dietitian: Build your own practice, providing personalised nutrition advice to individuals, organisations, and businesses
- Lecturer in Dietetics: Inspire the next generation of dietitians through teaching, research, and academic leadership
- Nutrition Industry Specialist: Apply your expertise in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical companies, nutrition consultancy, or science communications
Career Support
Throughout your final year, you’ll take part in dedicated employability sessions designed to support your transition into professional practice, helping you build confidence for your first role as a registered dietitian. You’ll have access on support from UEA’s Career Central, while your continued collaboration with placement providers during the course strengthens your professional network, enhances your personal development, and positions you to achieve your graduate career goals.
After the Course
You'll graduate ready to begin your career as a registered dietitian, with opportunities across the NHS, private practice, sports nutrition, industry, and academia. The course also provides an excellent foundation for further study, with many graduates progressing to PhD research or specialist roles across healthcare, research, and the wider nutrition sector.
Study and Modules
Structure
This is a two-year full-time programme. Practice-based learning placements are integrated throughout the programme, enabling you to undertake supervised practice-based learning across the East Anglia region and wider across the UK.
In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the core principles of dietetic theory and how to apply them in practice. You'll develop the skills you need to work in a range of clinical settings, with individuals, groups, and communities. You’ll learn about the key elements of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry as they relate to nutrition and dietetic practice. You’ll also engage with the research evidence for your professional practice. In your first year, you'll complete one placement. This is split into a Peer Enhanced E-Placement (PEEP) and an in-person practice placement.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll learn how to consolidate the core themes of dietetic theory, linking it to practice, and you'll begin to see yourself as a potential leader, capable of managing change. You’ll continue to develop Master’s-level academic skills, as well as teamwork skills and professional communication abilities. You’ll have developed the essential skills, values, and behaviours needed to qualify as a dietitian and apply for HCPC registration. In your second year, you'll undertake three placements. One of these is an elective placement, giving you the opportunity to explore alternative areas of the profession.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
The course follows a blended learning approach, combining online and in-person teaching.
The curriculum is organised into two-week learning blocks. Each block begins with the introduction of a case study, using a case-based learning approach. You'll explore a specific area of dietetic practice through lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent study, all centred around the same theme. This structure helps you build your knowledge and skills progressively throughout the course.
In year one, you'll develop a strong foundation in key areas of dietetic practice, including malnutrition, diabetes, gastroenterology, oncology, and paediatrics.
In year two, you'll progress to more complex areas of dietetic care, including critical care and intestinal failure. You'll also develop the professional and employability skills needed to support your transition into a career.
Assessment
Throughout the course, you’ll undertake a range of assessments designed to consolidate and demonstrate your learning. These assessments include practical skill oral examinations, written essays, reflective accounts, and case-management presentations.
Each assignment is outlined in detail in the Course Assessment Handbook, and you’ll be offered a pre‑submission advice session with a member of the academic team and a related formative task to support your preparation.
Practice placements are assessed on a pass/fail basis at the end of each placement block.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in February each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Should be in a subject with sufficient relevant human 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. If you have studied an Undergraduate degree in Dietetics, this course is not suitable and you may wish to consider our other professional health courses delivered at Degree and Master’s level.
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).
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Information
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.
- English and Mathematics
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Biology or Double Science at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- 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.
Interview format
Our interviews for 2027 will take place online. You will be invited to an appointment by email. These are usually 40 minutes long. The email will include a link to the online interview. This is conducted on Blackboard collaborate.
The interview will be conducted by one or multiple interviewers including academic members of staff from the School of Health Sciences at UEA, clinicians from the profession, service users* and/or current UEA students from the course.
*A ‘service user’ is someone who has access to use health or social care services or could be affected by the services of health and social care professionals.
After an initial introduction, the lead interviewer will conduct an ID check and then explain how the interview will unfold.
The interview will cover three distinct domains which will be introduced to you by the interviewer at the start of your interview. The interview questions will be shared in the chat with you so you can read them.
Interview questions
Each domain will contain questions with a specific focus. The order in which you are asked about these domains will be variable. The domains are:
- Your knowledge of the professional field for which you are applying.
- Your personal qualities and suitability for the profession. To help with discussion around this domain, you may be asked to consider a scenario and asked questions about how you would respond to it. You will be given time to read the scenario before you approach the interview station, and it will also be read to you by the interviewer(s).
- Your understanding of and suitability for the course at UEA.
During the interview, the interviewer(s) will also consider your ability to clearly present information and communicate your responses effectively.
Experience of healthcare
We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation.
Clinical work experience will not generally be a requirement for applying to train in healthcare. We will be looking for you to show that you are able to work with people, that you appreciate the health and social care setting, and that you understand what a career in health will involve. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.
Note that your experiences are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. It is important that you think about how you might be able to demonstrate your understanding of healthcare, that you can relate this to experience or research, and that you can explain what you have learned.
What type of experience or research do you need?
Any activity, life experience or research that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:
- Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
- Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
- A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.
Practical ways to gain experience
Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.
Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. If volunteer work in the NHS isn’t something that is available to you, think about what else you could explore i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively.
Remember: what is important is what you learn about yourself and about other people, and what you learn about how effective care is delivered and received. How you learn these things is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt that matters.
- Placements
Occupational Health Check
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.
DBS Check
The offer made to successful applicants after the interview stage will be conditional on completing an enhanced DBS Applications - Student Life. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required.
Assessing Your Fitness to Become a Registered Healthcare Professional
Please see our guidance on assessing your fitness(opens in a new window).
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in February each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent.
Degree Subject
Should be in a subject with sufficient relevant human 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. If you have studied an Undergraduate degree in Dietetics, this course is not suitable and you may wish to consider our other professional health courses delivered at Degree and Master’s level.
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).
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Information
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.
- English and Mathematics
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Biology or Double Science at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- 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.
Interview format
Our interviews for 2027 will take place online. You will be invited to an appointment by email. These are usually 40 minutes long. The email will include a link to the online interview. This is conducted on Blackboard collaborate.
The interview will be conducted by one or multiple interviewers including academic members of staff from the School of Health Sciences at UEA, clinicians from the profession, service users* and/or current UEA students from the course.
*A ‘service user’ is someone who has access to use health or social care services or could be affected by the services of health and social care professionals.
After an initial introduction, the lead interviewer will conduct an ID check and then explain how the interview will unfold.
The interview will cover three distinct domains which will be introduced to you by the interviewer at the start of your interview. The interview questions will be shared in the chat with you so you can read them.
Interview questions
Each domain will contain questions with a specific focus. The order in which you are asked about these domains will be variable. The domains are:
- Your knowledge of the professional field for which you are applying.
- Your personal qualities and suitability for the profession. To help with discussion around this domain, you may be asked to consider a scenario and asked questions about how you would respond to it. You will be given time to read the scenario before you approach the interview station, and it will also be read to you by the interviewer(s).
- Your understanding of and suitability for the course at UEA.
During the interview, the interviewer(s) will also consider your ability to clearly present information and communicate your responses effectively.
Experience of healthcare
We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation.
Clinical work experience will not generally be a requirement for applying to train in healthcare. We will be looking for you to show that you are able to work with people, that you appreciate the health and social care setting, and that you understand what a career in health will involve. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.
Note that your experiences are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. It is important that you think about how you might be able to demonstrate your understanding of healthcare, that you can relate this to experience or research, and that you can explain what you have learned.
What type of experience or research do you need?
Any activity, life experience or research that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:
- Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
- Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
- A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.
Practical ways to gain experience
Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.
Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. If volunteer work in the NHS isn’t something that is available to you, think about what else you could explore i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively.
Remember: what is important is what you learn about yourself and about other people, and what you learn about how effective care is delivered and received. How you learn these things is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt that matters.
- Placements
Occupational Health Check
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.
DBS Check
The offer made to successful applicants after the interview stage will be conditional on completing an enhanced DBS Applications - Student Life. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required.
Assessing Your Fitness to Become a Registered Healthcare Professional
Please see our guidance on assessing your fitness(opens in a new window).
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £20,100 (£10,050 per year)
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International Students: £50,000 (£25,000 per year)
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
The closing date for submitting applications is 01 September.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.
Information for Offer Holders
Offers have to be accepted within 6 weeks of the offer email being sent. If your offer isn't accepted by this deadline, you will be moved onto the reserve list and your place will be offered to another eligible student. You will then only be reconsidered for this intake if a new place becomes available.
International students are required to pay an International deposit to start the CAS process. The International deposit deadline for this course is 10 November. If you have not paid the deposit by this date you will be moved onto the reserve list and your place will be offered to another eligible student.