NUTRITION
is the study of nutrients in food, how the body uses nutrients, and the
relationship between diet, health and disease. Nutritionists create and
apply scientific knowledge to promote an understanding of the effects
of diet on health and wellbeing of humans and animals.
Most of the major food manufacturers and retailers employ nutritionists and food scientists and opportunities also exist in journalism, government, research, health promotion and education, at home and abroad.
There is also a variety of food-orientated careers within the related field of food science and technology. Nutritionists also work in emergency relief or development projects in low income countries. In relation to the latter, information on opportunities and advice on training courses and the personal skills and qualities required can be found at www.ihe.org.uk.
The Nutrition Society is the learned society in Britain for nutritionists. Members of the Society can apply for registration, which requires a degree level qualification in nutrition (or a related subject) plus a minimum of 3 years professional experience as a nutritionist. Registered individuals can be recognised by the letters RNutr after their name.
Associate registration is available for graduates who are in the process of gaining sufficient experience to apply for full registration. Specialist registration in public health nutrition (RPHNutr) is also available via the Society. The registers can be found on the Society's website, www.nutsoc.org.uk, which is also a source of information on job vacancies.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION is the application of the science of nutrition for the benefit of the population as a whole, or sub-sections of the population. It encompasses promotion of good health through nutrition and the primary prevention of diet-related illness in the population.
Although an important facet of public health nutrition is establishing the relationships between nutrition and health or disease risk at a research level, equally important is nutrition-related health promotion. This includes the type of work conducted by many of the nutritionists working in the food industry and related trade associations, government, health promotion, and by dietitians working in the community.
In December 1997, the Nutrition Society launched a scheme to register individuals qualified in public health nutrition. Registration usually requires a degree in human nutrition plus a minimum of three years relevant post-graduate experience in public health nutrition. Individuals achieving registration are known as Registered Public Health Nutritionists (RPHNutr).
Associate registration is available for graduates who are in the process of gaining sufficient work experience to apply for full registration. The Nutrition Society is also beginning to accredit degree courses in public health nutrition so that this career path can be selected from the outset. Several such courses now exist and details can be obtained from the Nutrition Society (www.nutsoc.org.uk/courses).
DIETETICS
DIETETICS is the application of the science of nutrition to the construction of diets and the selection and preparation of foods, in health and disease. A dietitian will have undertaken training in a hospital as part of his/her course and is specially trained to give practical advice to individuals about their diets. Many dietitians are employed in the NHS, and they work with both healthy and sick people, as well as their families. With patients who need special diets, dietitians use their scientific knowledge to provide practical information that is appropriate to the patient's medical history and lifestyle.
These days a considerable proportion of dietitians spend some or all of their time working in the community rather than in a hospital. Many of these are eligible to apply for registration in public health nutrition as well as being state registered dietitians (SRD). In the community, the dietitian's work is more about health education, although many also run clinics in doctors' surgeries for people who need specialist dietary counselling. Dietitians also work in research, the food industry, government, the media and education. Information about freelance dietitians is available from the British Dietetic Association.
It is necessary to have a degree (BSc or MSc) in nutrition and dietetics to work as a dietitian. The British Dietetic Association has a leaflet called Puzzled about qualifying as a Dietitian? that provides information on degree course entry requirements (its website is www.bda.uk.com).
What is the difference between nutritionists' and dietitians' qualifications?
Dietetics involves the application of nutrition science and so all dietetic courses must include the study of nutrition. However, not all nutrition courses include dietetics and lead to a qualification in dietetics, which is required to work in hospital as a dietitian. If you want to become a dietitian, you must graduate from a course approved by the Dietitians' Board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (contact www.bda.uk.com).
GETTING STARTED: LOOKING FOR A CAREER IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES The usual way of starting a career in nutrition is to study for a degree in nutrition and/or dietetics at a University. Chemistry and/or biology are generally required, if you did not study science at school, you may be able to enter university after successfully completing a science access course. Information about entry requirements is available via university prospectuses and Course Leaders or Admissions Tutors. Also, the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) provides information on the many varied courses that now exist (www.ucas.co.uk). A summary of available courses is listed below. Your careers advisor should also be able to provide advice and information.
Universities and colleges that run BSc courses in nutrition and/or dietetics (courses marked with an asterisk lead to state registration in dietetics)
The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen www.rgu.ac.uk
Nutrition and Dietetics with State Registration in Dietetics* (4 years)
Nutrition
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, www.cardiff.ac.uk.
Applied Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition and Dietetics*
Coventry University, www.coventry.ac.uk
Dietetics*
Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, www.qmuc.ac.uk
Dietetics* (4 years)
Human Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition
Glasgow Caledonian University, www.caledonian.ac.uk
Human Nutrition and Dietetics*
Leeds Metropolitan University, www.lmu.ac.uk
Dietetics*
Liverpool John Moores University, www.livjm.ac.uk
Nutrition
King's College London (University of London), www.kcl.ac.uk
Nutrition
Nutrition and Dietetics (4 years)*
University of Greenwich, London, www.gre.ac.uk
Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition with European Studies
University of North London, www.unl.ac.uk
Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition and Dietetics (4 years)*
South Bank University, London www.sbu.ac.uk
Bioscience (Nutrition)
University of Westminster, London www.wmin.ac.uk
Health Sciences: Nutritional Therapy
Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition (with a foundation year) (4 years)
University of Luton, www.luton.ac.uk
Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition
The Manchester Metropolitan University, www.mmu.ac.uk
Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition (with a foundation year) (4 years)
University of Nottingham, www.nottingham.ac.uk
Nutrition
Nutrition (with state registration in dietetics)*
(4 years, undergraduate masters level)
Oxford Brookes University, www.brookes.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition
Sheffield Hallam University, www.shu.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition (subject to validation)
University of Southampton, www.som.soton.ac.uk
Nutritional Sciences
University of Surrey, www.surrey.ac.uk
Nutrition (3 or 4 years)
Nutrition with a Foundation year (4 or 5 years)
Nutrition/Dietetics (4 years)*
Roehampton University of Surrey, www.roehampton.ac.uk
Nutrition and Health
Kingston University, Surrey, www.kingston.ac.uk
Nutrition
Nutrition (with a foundation year) (4 years)
University of Ulster, Northern Ireland www.ulst.ac.uk
Human Nutrition (opportunity to specialise in public health nutrition, 4 year, this route is accredited by the Nutrition Society)
Postgraduate Diploma Courses in Dietetics are run at:
Kings College London, www.kcl.ac.uk
(15-month course for applicants with a BSc in Nutrition or equivalent, leads to a postgraduate diploma)
Leeds Metropolitan University, www.LMU.ac.uk
(2 years, full time course, postgraduate diploma)
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, www.uwic.ac.uk
(2 years, full time course, postgraduate diploma)
University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, www.ulst.ac.uk
(2 years, full time course, MSc or postgraduate diploma)
Postgraduate Courses
Once you have a degree, it is possible to take a masters degree (MSc), which typically take 12-18 months to complete, or to study for a doctorate (PhD), which takes a minimum of 3 years.
A masters degree in nutrition is a means by which you can change careers if your BSc is in a subject other than nutrition, or by which you can specialise, e.g. by taking a postgraduate course in public health nutrition or sports science.
To undertake a PhD, it is necessary to have been awarded a very good BSc (first class or upper second (2i) class honours) or to have a MSc in the subject, together with funding that is typically in the form of a research grant.
Postgraduate (MSc) taught courses and opportunities to study for a PhD focusing on nutrition are offered at:
University of Aberdeen, www.abdn.ac.uk
Human Nutrition and Metabolism MSc (1 year)
International Nutrition MSc (1 year)
MSc/PhD by research (with Rowett Research Institute)
The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, www.rgu.ac.uk
Nutrition PhD/MPhil by research
PGDip/MSc (part-time, subject to validation)
Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh www.qmced.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition MSc 45 weeks (full or part-time)
PgCert, PgDip,
MPhil/PhD by research
University of Glasgow, www.gla.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MSc/Diploma (1 year)
Human Nutrition PhD and MPhil by research
Clinical Nutrition MSc/Diploma (medical graduates only) (2 years)
University of Huddersfield, www.hud.ac.uk
Nutrition and Food Management MSc (1 year)
PhD and MPhil by research
University of Keele, www.keele.ac.uk
Health, Population and Nutrition in Developing Countries MBA (1 year)
University of London, King's College, www.kcl.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MSc (1 year) or Diploma (7 months)
PhD by research
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London www.lshtm.ac.uk Public Health Nutrition MSc (1 year full time, 2 years part time) (accredited by the Nutrition Society)
MPhil/PhD/DrPH
University of Westminster, London, www.wmin.ac.uk
Public Health (Food & Nutrition) MSc 1-2 PgDiploma, PgCert
Nutrition & Healthcare MSc 1-2 PgDiploma, PgCert
MPhil/PhD by research
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Human Nutrition Research Centre, www.ncl.ac.uk
Human Nutrition PhD/MPhil by research
University of Nottingham, www.nottingham.ac.uk
Nutritional Biochemistry (Human) MSc (1 year)
PhD/MPhil by research
Oxford Brookes University, Centre for the Science of Food and Nutrition, www.brookes.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MPhil/PhD by research
University of Sheffield, www.shef.ac.uk MMed Sci in Human Nutrition (part or full time)
Diploma in Human Nutrition (full time) MPhil/ PhD in Human Nutrition
University of Southampton, www.wom.soton.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition MA (Accredited by the Nutrition Society)
PhD/MPhil by research
University of Surrey, www.surrey.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MPhil/PhD by research
Nutritional Medicine MSc (2-6 years) (Also diploma and certificate) Part-time modular training.
University of Surrey, Roehampton Institute London www.roehampton.ac.uk
Clinical Nutrition MSc/Diploma (part or full-time)
Nutrition, Brain & Behaviour MSc/Diploma
University of Ulster www.ulst.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MSc (1 year) PgDiploma (9 months)
MRes (1 year) MPhil/DPhil by research
Other opportunities
Some other universities and colleges offer courses such as food science, biochemistry, sports science, home economics, and food technology that include modules/joint courses in nutrition. These include: University of Bradford, Chester College, University of Greenwich, University of Huddersfield, University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Roehampton Institute, University of Teeside. More details can be found in the UCAS Handbook, or on its website, www.ucas.co.uk
Also, the Open University has modules on food and health. Contact: The Centre For Continuing Education, The Open University, PO Box 118, Milton Keynes MK7 6A.
There are no correspondence courses in Dietetics although some colleges and universities are developing study routes, which offer flexibility, including part time courses. Please contact the colleges and universities directly about these.
BSc Courses in Animal Nutrition
University of Central Lancashire, www.uclan.ac.uk
Animal Production and Nutrition
Harper Adams University College, www.harper-adams.ac.uk
Animal Nutrition
University of Leeds, www.leeds.ac.uk
Animal Nutrition and Physiology
For more information
Consult appropriate university and college guides for information on specific courses and entry requirements, which vary considerably.
For the addresses of universities offering courses that lead to registration in dietetics, see www.ucas.co.uk. For more information on dietetics, write to the British Dietetic association at: BDA, 7th Floor, Elizabeth house, 22 Suffolk Street, Birmingham B1 1LS, enclosing a large stamped self-addressed envelope (website: http://www.bda.uk.com).
Information on nutrition courses is also available from the Nutrition Society's website: www.nutsoc.org.uk.
For further information about opportunities in food science contact The Institute of Food Science and Technology, 5 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7NJ (www.ifst.org.uk).
Depending on your specific interests, it may also be worth contacting the Institute of Consumer Sciences, 21 Portland Place, London, W1B 1PY (www.institute-consumer-sciences.co.uk)
Funding
Many local authorities assist students resident in their areas. In Scotland you should apply to the Scottish Education Department and in Northern Ireland to the local Education and Library Board. All students may apply for student loans.
What about non-degree courses?
A number of NVQ, SVQ and HND courses include some basic nutrition, e.g. courses in catering, retailing or hospitality. Although, these types of courses are useful for people with a general interest in the subject, who wish to know more about basic nutrition for their personal interest, these courses are NOT designed to train participants to give detailed and evidence-based dietary advice. Furthermore, these and other non-degree courses are not recognised by the Nutrition Society or Dietitians Board as being of sufficient depth to provide the basis for a career in nutrition or dietetics. However, in the context of the National Grid for Learning, (S)NVQs can be a route of entry into higher education (e.g. the undergraduate courses listed previously), provided the particular course has been judged to be acceptable as an access course that shows general readiness for study. The same applies to some diplomas in the private sector (see below).
There are a number of private colleges and institutes that do not have Privy Council approval to award degrees, which offer courses in nutrition. These courses are not controlled by the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency and the Quality Assurance Agency that oversee courses offered in the public sector, and so it is difficult to assess what standard is achieved. These courses can be expensive and the qualifications obtained may be of limited value as they are not recognised by the professional organisations that represent the interests of conventionally trained nutritionists and dietitians, or by the majority of would-be employers of nutritionists/ nutrition scientists and dietitians.
Who's who in Nutrition
The British Dietetic Association
The British Dietetic Association (BDA) was formed in 1936 and incorporated in 1947. It is the professional association for qualified dietitians in the UK, and a condition of full membership is the holding of a recognised dietetic qualification. The BDA is represented on Functional Council, Professional and Technical Staffs 'A' of the Whitley Councils for the Health Service (Great Britain). This body negotiates salaries and conditions within the National Health Service. Members of the association serve on the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine and the Dietitians Board thereof, the body granting statutory registration to qualified dietitians, which is now compulsory for employment in the National Health Service.
The BDA has a commitment to assist its members to uphold the highest standard of professionals practice. The Continued Professional Development (CPD) policy adopted by the profession in May 1998, sets out the main principles of CPD; identifies the steps to be taken prior to engagement in CPD activity; provides guidance on the completion of a Personal Development Plan and gives examples of CPD activities.
The British Dietetic Association, 5th Floor Charles House, 148/9 Great Charles Street Queensway, Birmingham, B3 3HT; tel: 0121 200 8080; website: www.bda.uk.com; email: info@bda.uk.com
The Nutrition Society
The Nutrition Society was established in 1941"to advance the scientific study of nutrition and its application to the maintenance of human and animal health". It is the largest learned society for nutrition in Europe. Membership is worldwide but most members live in Europe. Membership is open to those with a genuine interest in the science of human or animal nutrition. Full details of membership and application forms are available via the Society's website www.nutsoc.org.uk.
The Society publishes four major international scientific journals and is currently producing a series of textbooks on nutrition. Full details of the Society's publishing division, including electronic access to sample copies of the journals, are available via the website.
The Society works for professional development in nutrition for members, to recognise and encourage appropriate standards of training in nutrition. The Society offers professional qualifications to nutritionists through a number of registration schemes, the details of which can be found at www.nutsoc.org.uk. The Society also organises an accreditation scheme for courses in Public Health Nutrition. Three courses have been accredited to date.
The Nutrition Society, 10 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush Road, London, W6 7NJ; tel: 020 7602 0228; website: www.nutsoc.org.uk; email: office@nutsoc.org.uk
Links
Nutrition Society www.nutsoc.org.uk
British Dietetic Association www.bda.uk.com
Institute of Biology www.iob.org
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) www.ucas.co.uk
National Sports Medicine Institute www.nsmi.org.uk
International Health Exchange www.ihe.org.uk
IFST Careers site www.foodtechcareers.org
Most of the major food manufacturers and retailers employ nutritionists and food scientists and opportunities also exist in journalism, government, research, health promotion and education, at home and abroad.
There is also a variety of food-orientated careers within the related field of food science and technology. Nutritionists also work in emergency relief or development projects in low income countries. In relation to the latter, information on opportunities and advice on training courses and the personal skills and qualities required can be found at www.ihe.org.uk.
The Nutrition Society is the learned society in Britain for nutritionists. Members of the Society can apply for registration, which requires a degree level qualification in nutrition (or a related subject) plus a minimum of 3 years professional experience as a nutritionist. Registered individuals can be recognised by the letters RNutr after their name.
Associate registration is available for graduates who are in the process of gaining sufficient experience to apply for full registration. Specialist registration in public health nutrition (RPHNutr) is also available via the Society. The registers can be found on the Society's website, www.nutsoc.org.uk, which is also a source of information on job vacancies.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION is the application of the science of nutrition for the benefit of the population as a whole, or sub-sections of the population. It encompasses promotion of good health through nutrition and the primary prevention of diet-related illness in the population.
Although an important facet of public health nutrition is establishing the relationships between nutrition and health or disease risk at a research level, equally important is nutrition-related health promotion. This includes the type of work conducted by many of the nutritionists working in the food industry and related trade associations, government, health promotion, and by dietitians working in the community.
In December 1997, the Nutrition Society launched a scheme to register individuals qualified in public health nutrition. Registration usually requires a degree in human nutrition plus a minimum of three years relevant post-graduate experience in public health nutrition. Individuals achieving registration are known as Registered Public Health Nutritionists (RPHNutr).
Associate registration is available for graduates who are in the process of gaining sufficient work experience to apply for full registration. The Nutrition Society is also beginning to accredit degree courses in public health nutrition so that this career path can be selected from the outset. Several such courses now exist and details can be obtained from the Nutrition Society (www.nutsoc.org.uk/courses).
DIETETICS
DIETETICS is the application of the science of nutrition to the construction of diets and the selection and preparation of foods, in health and disease. A dietitian will have undertaken training in a hospital as part of his/her course and is specially trained to give practical advice to individuals about their diets. Many dietitians are employed in the NHS, and they work with both healthy and sick people, as well as their families. With patients who need special diets, dietitians use their scientific knowledge to provide practical information that is appropriate to the patient's medical history and lifestyle.
These days a considerable proportion of dietitians spend some or all of their time working in the community rather than in a hospital. Many of these are eligible to apply for registration in public health nutrition as well as being state registered dietitians (SRD). In the community, the dietitian's work is more about health education, although many also run clinics in doctors' surgeries for people who need specialist dietary counselling. Dietitians also work in research, the food industry, government, the media and education. Information about freelance dietitians is available from the British Dietetic Association.
It is necessary to have a degree (BSc or MSc) in nutrition and dietetics to work as a dietitian. The British Dietetic Association has a leaflet called Puzzled about qualifying as a Dietitian? that provides information on degree course entry requirements (its website is www.bda.uk.com).
What is the difference between nutritionists' and dietitians' qualifications?
Dietetics involves the application of nutrition science and so all dietetic courses must include the study of nutrition. However, not all nutrition courses include dietetics and lead to a qualification in dietetics, which is required to work in hospital as a dietitian. If you want to become a dietitian, you must graduate from a course approved by the Dietitians' Board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (contact www.bda.uk.com).
GETTING STARTED: LOOKING FOR A CAREER IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES The usual way of starting a career in nutrition is to study for a degree in nutrition and/or dietetics at a University. Chemistry and/or biology are generally required, if you did not study science at school, you may be able to enter university after successfully completing a science access course. Information about entry requirements is available via university prospectuses and Course Leaders or Admissions Tutors. Also, the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) provides information on the many varied courses that now exist (www.ucas.co.uk). A summary of available courses is listed below. Your careers advisor should also be able to provide advice and information.
Universities and colleges that run BSc courses in nutrition and/or dietetics (courses marked with an asterisk lead to state registration in dietetics)
The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen www.rgu.ac.uk
Nutrition and Dietetics with State Registration in Dietetics* (4 years)
Nutrition
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, www.cardiff.ac.uk.
Applied Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition and Dietetics*
Coventry University, www.coventry.ac.uk
Dietetics*
Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, www.qmuc.ac.uk
Dietetics* (4 years)
Human Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition
Glasgow Caledonian University, www.caledonian.ac.uk
Human Nutrition and Dietetics*
Leeds Metropolitan University, www.lmu.ac.uk
Dietetics*
Liverpool John Moores University, www.livjm.ac.uk
Nutrition
King's College London (University of London), www.kcl.ac.uk
Nutrition
Nutrition and Dietetics (4 years)*
University of Greenwich, London, www.gre.ac.uk
Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition with European Studies
University of North London, www.unl.ac.uk
Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition and Dietetics (4 years)*
South Bank University, London www.sbu.ac.uk
Bioscience (Nutrition)
University of Westminster, London www.wmin.ac.uk
Health Sciences: Nutritional Therapy
Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition (with a foundation year) (4 years)
University of Luton, www.luton.ac.uk
Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition
The Manchester Metropolitan University, www.mmu.ac.uk
Human Nutrition
Human Nutrition (with a foundation year) (4 years)
University of Nottingham, www.nottingham.ac.uk
Nutrition
Nutrition (with state registration in dietetics)*
(4 years, undergraduate masters level)
Oxford Brookes University, www.brookes.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition
Sheffield Hallam University, www.shu.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition (subject to validation)
University of Southampton, www.som.soton.ac.uk
Nutritional Sciences
University of Surrey, www.surrey.ac.uk
Nutrition (3 or 4 years)
Nutrition with a Foundation year (4 or 5 years)
Nutrition/Dietetics (4 years)*
Roehampton University of Surrey, www.roehampton.ac.uk
Nutrition and Health
Kingston University, Surrey, www.kingston.ac.uk
Nutrition
Nutrition (with a foundation year) (4 years)
University of Ulster, Northern Ireland www.ulst.ac.uk
Human Nutrition (opportunity to specialise in public health nutrition, 4 year, this route is accredited by the Nutrition Society)
Postgraduate Diploma Courses in Dietetics are run at:
Kings College London, www.kcl.ac.uk
(15-month course for applicants with a BSc in Nutrition or equivalent, leads to a postgraduate diploma)
Leeds Metropolitan University, www.LMU.ac.uk
(2 years, full time course, postgraduate diploma)
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, www.uwic.ac.uk
(2 years, full time course, postgraduate diploma)
University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, www.ulst.ac.uk
(2 years, full time course, MSc or postgraduate diploma)
Postgraduate Courses
Once you have a degree, it is possible to take a masters degree (MSc), which typically take 12-18 months to complete, or to study for a doctorate (PhD), which takes a minimum of 3 years.
A masters degree in nutrition is a means by which you can change careers if your BSc is in a subject other than nutrition, or by which you can specialise, e.g. by taking a postgraduate course in public health nutrition or sports science.
To undertake a PhD, it is necessary to have been awarded a very good BSc (first class or upper second (2i) class honours) or to have a MSc in the subject, together with funding that is typically in the form of a research grant.
Postgraduate (MSc) taught courses and opportunities to study for a PhD focusing on nutrition are offered at:
University of Aberdeen, www.abdn.ac.uk
Human Nutrition and Metabolism MSc (1 year)
International Nutrition MSc (1 year)
MSc/PhD by research (with Rowett Research Institute)
The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, www.rgu.ac.uk
Nutrition PhD/MPhil by research
PGDip/MSc (part-time, subject to validation)
Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh www.qmced.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition MSc 45 weeks (full or part-time)
PgCert, PgDip,
MPhil/PhD by research
University of Glasgow, www.gla.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MSc/Diploma (1 year)
Human Nutrition PhD and MPhil by research
Clinical Nutrition MSc/Diploma (medical graduates only) (2 years)
University of Huddersfield, www.hud.ac.uk
Nutrition and Food Management MSc (1 year)
PhD and MPhil by research
University of Keele, www.keele.ac.uk
Health, Population and Nutrition in Developing Countries MBA (1 year)
University of London, King's College, www.kcl.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MSc (1 year) or Diploma (7 months)
PhD by research
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London www.lshtm.ac.uk Public Health Nutrition MSc (1 year full time, 2 years part time) (accredited by the Nutrition Society)
MPhil/PhD/DrPH
University of Westminster, London, www.wmin.ac.uk
Public Health (Food & Nutrition) MSc 1-2 PgDiploma, PgCert
Nutrition & Healthcare MSc 1-2 PgDiploma, PgCert
MPhil/PhD by research
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Human Nutrition Research Centre, www.ncl.ac.uk
Human Nutrition PhD/MPhil by research
University of Nottingham, www.nottingham.ac.uk
Nutritional Biochemistry (Human) MSc (1 year)
PhD/MPhil by research
Oxford Brookes University, Centre for the Science of Food and Nutrition, www.brookes.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MPhil/PhD by research
University of Sheffield, www.shef.ac.uk MMed Sci in Human Nutrition (part or full time)
Diploma in Human Nutrition (full time) MPhil/ PhD in Human Nutrition
University of Southampton, www.wom.soton.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition MA (Accredited by the Nutrition Society)
PhD/MPhil by research
University of Surrey, www.surrey.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MPhil/PhD by research
Nutritional Medicine MSc (2-6 years) (Also diploma and certificate) Part-time modular training.
University of Surrey, Roehampton Institute London www.roehampton.ac.uk
Clinical Nutrition MSc/Diploma (part or full-time)
Nutrition, Brain & Behaviour MSc/Diploma
University of Ulster www.ulst.ac.uk
Human Nutrition MSc (1 year) PgDiploma (9 months)
MRes (1 year) MPhil/DPhil by research
Other opportunities
Some other universities and colleges offer courses such as food science, biochemistry, sports science, home economics, and food technology that include modules/joint courses in nutrition. These include: University of Bradford, Chester College, University of Greenwich, University of Huddersfield, University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Roehampton Institute, University of Teeside. More details can be found in the UCAS Handbook, or on its website, www.ucas.co.uk
Also, the Open University has modules on food and health. Contact: The Centre For Continuing Education, The Open University, PO Box 118, Milton Keynes MK7 6A.
There are no correspondence courses in Dietetics although some colleges and universities are developing study routes, which offer flexibility, including part time courses. Please contact the colleges and universities directly about these.
BSc Courses in Animal Nutrition
University of Central Lancashire, www.uclan.ac.uk
Animal Production and Nutrition
Harper Adams University College, www.harper-adams.ac.uk
Animal Nutrition
University of Leeds, www.leeds.ac.uk
Animal Nutrition and Physiology
For more information
Consult appropriate university and college guides for information on specific courses and entry requirements, which vary considerably.
For the addresses of universities offering courses that lead to registration in dietetics, see www.ucas.co.uk. For more information on dietetics, write to the British Dietetic association at: BDA, 7th Floor, Elizabeth house, 22 Suffolk Street, Birmingham B1 1LS, enclosing a large stamped self-addressed envelope (website: http://www.bda.uk.com).
Information on nutrition courses is also available from the Nutrition Society's website: www.nutsoc.org.uk.
For further information about opportunities in food science contact The Institute of Food Science and Technology, 5 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7NJ (www.ifst.org.uk).
Depending on your specific interests, it may also be worth contacting the Institute of Consumer Sciences, 21 Portland Place, London, W1B 1PY (www.institute-consumer-sciences.co.uk)
Funding
Many local authorities assist students resident in their areas. In Scotland you should apply to the Scottish Education Department and in Northern Ireland to the local Education and Library Board. All students may apply for student loans.
What about non-degree courses?
A number of NVQ, SVQ and HND courses include some basic nutrition, e.g. courses in catering, retailing or hospitality. Although, these types of courses are useful for people with a general interest in the subject, who wish to know more about basic nutrition for their personal interest, these courses are NOT designed to train participants to give detailed and evidence-based dietary advice. Furthermore, these and other non-degree courses are not recognised by the Nutrition Society or Dietitians Board as being of sufficient depth to provide the basis for a career in nutrition or dietetics. However, in the context of the National Grid for Learning, (S)NVQs can be a route of entry into higher education (e.g. the undergraduate courses listed previously), provided the particular course has been judged to be acceptable as an access course that shows general readiness for study. The same applies to some diplomas in the private sector (see below).
There are a number of private colleges and institutes that do not have Privy Council approval to award degrees, which offer courses in nutrition. These courses are not controlled by the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency and the Quality Assurance Agency that oversee courses offered in the public sector, and so it is difficult to assess what standard is achieved. These courses can be expensive and the qualifications obtained may be of limited value as they are not recognised by the professional organisations that represent the interests of conventionally trained nutritionists and dietitians, or by the majority of would-be employers of nutritionists/ nutrition scientists and dietitians.
Who's who in Nutrition
The British Dietetic Association
The British Dietetic Association (BDA) was formed in 1936 and incorporated in 1947. It is the professional association for qualified dietitians in the UK, and a condition of full membership is the holding of a recognised dietetic qualification. The BDA is represented on Functional Council, Professional and Technical Staffs 'A' of the Whitley Councils for the Health Service (Great Britain). This body negotiates salaries and conditions within the National Health Service. Members of the association serve on the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine and the Dietitians Board thereof, the body granting statutory registration to qualified dietitians, which is now compulsory for employment in the National Health Service.
The BDA has a commitment to assist its members to uphold the highest standard of professionals practice. The Continued Professional Development (CPD) policy adopted by the profession in May 1998, sets out the main principles of CPD; identifies the steps to be taken prior to engagement in CPD activity; provides guidance on the completion of a Personal Development Plan and gives examples of CPD activities.
The British Dietetic Association, 5th Floor Charles House, 148/9 Great Charles Street Queensway, Birmingham, B3 3HT; tel: 0121 200 8080; website: www.bda.uk.com; email: info@bda.uk.com
The Nutrition Society
The Nutrition Society was established in 1941"to advance the scientific study of nutrition and its application to the maintenance of human and animal health". It is the largest learned society for nutrition in Europe. Membership is worldwide but most members live in Europe. Membership is open to those with a genuine interest in the science of human or animal nutrition. Full details of membership and application forms are available via the Society's website www.nutsoc.org.uk.
The Society publishes four major international scientific journals and is currently producing a series of textbooks on nutrition. Full details of the Society's publishing division, including electronic access to sample copies of the journals, are available via the website.
The Society works for professional development in nutrition for members, to recognise and encourage appropriate standards of training in nutrition. The Society offers professional qualifications to nutritionists through a number of registration schemes, the details of which can be found at www.nutsoc.org.uk. The Society also organises an accreditation scheme for courses in Public Health Nutrition. Three courses have been accredited to date.
The Nutrition Society, 10 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush Road, London, W6 7NJ; tel: 020 7602 0228; website: www.nutsoc.org.uk; email: office@nutsoc.org.uk
Links
Nutrition Society www.nutsoc.org.uk
British Dietetic Association www.bda.uk.com
Institute of Biology www.iob.org
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) www.ucas.co.uk
National Sports Medicine Institute www.nsmi.org.uk
International Health Exchange www.ihe.org.uk
IFST Careers site www.foodtechcareers.org
2 comments:
hi
English Course Dublin
When I originally commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment is added I
get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any
way you can remove people from that service? Bless you!
Feel free to visit my webpage : diet plans that work
Post a Comment