Program Overview

Human Nutrition and Dietetics MSc

The MSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics is an integrated postgraduate course that enables graduates with a BSc or MSc in Nutrition or equivalent degree to meet the standards of proficiency and professional competency so they are eligible to apply to the Dietitians Registration Board (CORU) for registration as a dietitian.

Course Outline

The programme is delivered full-time over two calendar years. The curriculum is based on standards set by the professional associations, the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) guided by the Dietitians Registration Board (CORU) Criteria and Standards of Proficiency for Education and Training Programmes. The curriculum reflects current evidence-informed and research-based educational theory and dietetics practice.

Course Practicalities

This programme is full-time over three semesters per year, over two calendar years. The course content will be delivered in modules of between 5-30 credits. Students enrol in modules to the value of 60 credits in Year 1 and 60 credits in Year 2, over a period of two calendar years.

Year 1 (60 credits)

• Core Modules:
  • DT6002 Nutritional Assessment in the Clinical Setting (5 credits)
  • DT6003 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (10 credits)
  • DT6004 Food Skills and Food Service Management (5 credits)
  • DT6006 Professional Practice and Interpersonal Skills (10 credits)
  • DT6007 Public Health Nutrition (5 credits)
  • DT6008 Medical Management of Disease (5 credits)
  • DT6009 Clinical Practice Placement 1 (5 credits)
  • DT6010 Applied Research for Dietetics (5 credits)
  • DT6014 Dietetics Through the Lifecycle (5 credits)
• Elective Modules (Choose 5 credits):
  • EH6158 Health promotion I (5 credits)
  • NT6107 Integration and Regulation of Nutrient Metabolism (5 credits)

Year 2 (60 credits)

• DT6011 Clinical Practice Placement 2 (5 credits)
• DT6012 Clinical Practice Placement 3 (15 credits)
• DT6013 Research Dissertation in Dietetics (40 credits)

Assessment

Assessment will be by continuous assessment and formal exams. This will consist of tutorial performance, small presentations, class tests, essays, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and work placement assessments.

Why Choose This Course

UCC has a well-established suite of food-related BSc programmes, including a strong programme in Nutritional Sciences. The School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at University College Cork has a longstanding national and international reputation for the provision of quality education in Food Science and Technology as well as in Nutritional Sciences.

Requirements

1. Candidates will hold a minimum Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8 or equivalent) or a postgraduate degree (Level 9 NFQ or equivalent).
2. Applicants must have successfully completed human physiology and biochemistry modules (a minimum of 10 credits for each module are required) as part of the primary or postgraduate degree.
3. Two references should be included with the online application, one of which should be academic and one professional.
4. Applicants will be shortlisted for interview on the basis of educational qualifications, CV, references and relevant work experience.
5. All applicants accepted onto the programme will need to have evidence of appropriate vaccinations for working in hospital environments.

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is 14,500. The Non-EU fee for this course is 28,000.

How to Apply

1. Check dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process.
2. Gather documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal.
3. Apply online: Apply online by submitting the application and required documents.

Similar Courses

• BSc Nutritional Sciences
• MSc Food Science

Skills and Careers Information

By studying this course, you have the opportunity to become a highly skilled, evidenced-based clinician, who can use a range of resources and evidence to deliver safe and appropriate dietetic advice in clinical, community, and other settings. During the course, you build on a wide base of transferable clinical skills which may enable you to specialize in a specific area of Dietetics following successful graduation.

Occupations associated with an MSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics include:

• Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics (hospital and community dietetics)
• Food Industry
• Public Health Nutrition (government health, promotion agencies)
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Sports Nutrition
• Private Practice
• Education
• Research (nutrition and medical research-public and private sectors)
• Working overseas

Opportunities to work in research in Dietetics are expanding, and students may use their master's as a stepping stone to doctoral study in the UK or overseas, or teaching in higher education.