Dietetics BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Professionally Accredited Programmes
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Registered dietitians use their passion for working with people to promote healthy lifestyles, optimise health, manage and prevent diet-related diseases.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

B410

Start date

September 2024


Course overview

Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Dietetic Association (BDA)1.

  • All home students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.
  • Strong links with local NHS trusts and other healthcare providers, such as private hospitals, hospices and community settings.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

Dietitians are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems. This course is designed to enable you to use your expertise to promote a healthy lifestyle and offer nutrition advice. It aims to enable you to translate the latest nutrition science into understandable, practical information about food and provide education and support to enable people to manage their health and treat nutrition-related disease.

  • Upon successful completion of the course you will have a thorough understanding of the physical and psychological components of nutrition, and importantly how to enable behaviour change. You’ll understand the barriers people face and the strategies which can be used to overcome those barriers which prevent successful adoption of healthier lifestyles.
  • Through our innovative approaches to teaching and learning, you will have the opportunity to experiment, innovate and experience immersive situations as you learn in a safe, secure and inspiring environment. Simulated real-life scenarios will aim to utilise contemporary, innovative and authentic assessments, which embed service user involvement throughout. By working collaboratively across multi-professional groups in simulation facilities, you will have the chance to enhance your professional identity, knowledge and behaviours.
  • Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a range of mock healthcare settings, including hospital wards, ambulance, therapy suites and community houses, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement4.
  • You will undertake four periods of practice education (placements)5 in a range of NHS and non-NHS settings - predominantly in the West Midlands region - supported by experienced and trained educators.
  • Innovative and varied assessments offering a range of assessment methods aimed at providing real life skills. Use of creative and innovative teaching approaches with an emphasis on applying the learning to dietetic practice.
  • Our highly qualified academic staff and experienced practice team will support and challenge you to make a difference in practice. Current staff are active and influential members of the profession, for example sitting on committees and boards within the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and other national organisations (please note that staff may be subject to change).

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

hcpc health & care professions council

Health and Care Professions Council

This course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the 2024/25 intake.


BDA accredited programme. The association of UK dieticians

British Dietetics Association (BDA)

This course is accredited by the BDA for the 2024/25 intake. In addition, through completing the Food and Food Production module you will qualify for a Level 2 food safety certificate accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.



What you'll study

Year one aims to give you a foundation in nutrition, introducing key dietetic skills such as nutritional assessment and, behaviour change in readiness for an introductory placement in clinical practice. You will also have opportunities to work inter-professionally with other health care professionals, reflecting the environment you will work in when you graduate.

Modules

Year two builds on the skills and knowledge you developed in the first year with a focus on the clinical management and diet therapy for a variety of health conditions.

Modules

Year three consolidates your skills and knowledge and prepares you for the workplace. The third year also consists of two mandatory 12-week clinical placements and a 2-week public health placement, which are all sourced by the university.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Your course will be based on a series of lectures, with associated tutorials, seminars, kitchen practicals, online discussions and simulated healthcare environments. You will also have a personal tutor who will guide you through your course.

Teaching contact hours

In a typical teaching week you will have around 15-20 contact hours of teaching. The majority of this will be either seminars or practical workshops, supplemented with some lectures and online activities. In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 15-20 hours minimum of self-directed study each week.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Written coursework/case studies
  • Self-assessment quizzes
  • Objective structured clinical examinations
  • Presentations and posters
  • Formal examinations and practical projects
  • Group work
  • Development of a clinical portfolio

Our innovative and varied assessments offer a range of assessment methods aimed at providing real life skills. Use of creative and innovative teaching approaches with an emphasis on applying the learning to dietetic practice.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Our course provides international learning experiences to help prepare you for the global employment market as well as strengthen and develop your broader intercultural, personal and professional skills2.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 128
A level ABB to include Biology. Excludes General Studies.
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.
BTEC DDM in Applied Science, including distinctions for unit 8: physiology of human body systems, unit 9: physiology of human regulation and reproduction, and unit 10: biological molecules and metabolic pathways.
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma in a Science subject, with 45 Level 3 credits in Science or Health units. To include: 36 level 3 credits at Distinction, with 15 in Biology and 15 in Chemistry. Remaining credits must be Merit or higher. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.
IB Diploma 32 points to include 7 points in Biology.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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All applicants will be interviewed.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

All offers are subject to satisfactory occupational health clearance, a criminal record check via Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or equivalent for non-UK residents and a successful interview. For international students, if you are offered a place, the International Office will send you instructions about how to complete your DBS check, including a link to the UK Home office DBS website.

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered5.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an International Foundation Year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Biosciences or International Foundation Year - Sports Science will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

All applicants will be interviewed.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

All offers are subject to satisfactory occupational health clearance, a criminal record check via Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or equivalent for non-UK residents and a successful interview. For international students, if you are offered a place, the International Office will send you instructions about how to complete your DBS check, including a link to the UK Home office DBS website.

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The university is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered5.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 may be available to eligible home students for each year of study. Read more about this in the NHS Learning Support Fund information booklet.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a range of mock healthcare settings, including hospital wards, ambulance, therapy suites and community houses4, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

Inside a mock ambulance with a mock patient on stretcher

Alison Gingell Building

Our state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building features mock ambulance, hospital wards, critical care settings and therapy suites.

Male and female students talking a female who is sitting down with a drink

Community houses

Our two full-size community homes can be used for sessions simulating working with patients outside of a hospital setting.

Female in a white lab coat holding a plastic beaker.

Laboratories

You’ll have access to a suite of analytical and biological laboratories and a kitchen where you can gain hands-on experience.


Careers and opportunities

This course aims to prepare you for a range of rewarding possible careers in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings including large, medium and small acute hospital settings, community settings, public health, industry, the media, research and Non-Governmental Organisations to name a few.

On successful completion of this course, you will also be equipped with the skills to undertake further study both nationally and globally using a problem-based learning approach.

You will have the opportunity to experiment, innovate and experience immersive situations as you learn in a safe and inspiring environment. Simulated real-life scenarios will enable you to put the theory in to practice to embed your understanding.

We have strong links with local employers and professional bodies to ensure that the course content and delivery aims to meet current and anticipated future employer needs.

Becoming a registered dietitian can provide you with a gateway to a range of diverse and exciting career opportunities including: the media, food and pharmaceutical industry, public health, freelance dietetics, private health care and consultancy, sport and leisure industry, research and academia, working for government and non-governmental organisations.

Successful completion of this course provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (additional costs may apply). It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practice using a title protected by the Health Professions Order 2001 is on the HCPC Register.

Where our graduates work

Many of our graduates get their first job as a dietitian working within the public sector, usually in the National Health Service (NHS).

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Public Health Nutrition MSc. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply

Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

Part-time students should apply directly to the university.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
HLSU221

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

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