Nutrition and Dietetics 2012
"The opportunity to have the placement at the end of my first year was very successful."
Fabiola Kely Pinheiro
If you are interested in food, how it affects the health of the individual and the nation, and how diet can be used in the treatment of disease, these subject areas will provide you with an exciting challenge. Studying to become a nutritionist or dietitian at Surrey will provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of nutrient requirements and healthy eating. Dietitians will also learn how food intake and dietary requirements can be altered by illness, and about the use of therapeutic diets to treat disease.
Our programmes have an active application across a range of health and professional industries and you will acquire knowledge, skills and expertise that will enable you to excel in your chosen career.
Factfile
| Minimum Entry Requirements | Nutrition/Dietetics: A level grades ABB If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year. All applicants should also adhere to the University's General Entrance Requirements. |
|---|---|
| Required Subjects | Biology required. Additional science A level (preferably Chemistry) required. GCSE Mathematics at grade C or above. |
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for non-native-English-speaking applicants. If you are an international student and you are concerned that your English is not to the required standard, you may benefit from our International Foundation Year. Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre. |
| Other Entry Requirements | Admission to the Nutrition/Dietetics programme is subject to eligibility for an NHS bursary. Information is available online: Nutrition/Dietetics (B401) is only open to UK and EU students. Nutrition (B400) is available to all students. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | Higher grades refer to the B400 Nutrition programme. BTEC National Diploma - DDD-DDM (in an appropriate science subject) A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. |
| Selection Process | Offers are made in terms of grades. We do not include General Studies in our offers. Suitable candidates will be invited for an interview. Nutrition/Dietetics offers are based on satisfactory interviews. Offers may be conditional upon a satisfactory level of medical fitness, and students are screened by Occupational Health at the beginning of the programme. Nutrition/Dietetics students are also required to have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. |
| Professional Recognition | The Nutrition/Dietetics programme is commissioned by the NHS, which pays student tuition fees and offers a means-tested bursary. The programme is approved by the Health Professions Council and successful completion leads to eligibility to apply for registration as a dietitian. The Nutrition programme is accredited by the Nutrition Society. |
Degrees
Degree Programmes
BSc (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BSc (Hons) Nutrition/Dietetics | B401 | 4 years |
| BSc (Hons) Nutrition | B400 | 3/4* years |
Degrees
Degree Programmes
BSc (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BSc (Hons) Nutrition/Dietetics | B401 | 4 years |
| BSc (Hons) Nutrition | B400 | 3/4* years |
Our Degrees
Dietetics involves translating nutritional science and information about food into practical dietary advice. This may be aimed at the general public to promote health, or in a clinical environment to treat a wide range of medical disorders.
The Nutrition/Dietetics programme has been specifically designed for students with a strong interest in food, people, science and medicine who wish to use their knowledge to help prevent and treat disease. As a dietitian you will work with people to help them modify their food intake. This programme has been approved by the Health Professions Council, which means you will be eligible to apply to become a registered dietitian upon graduation.
As a student on our Nutrition programme you will learn about food and the nutrients it contains, how the body uses them and how they relate to health and disease. This degree is designed for those who wish to pursue either a commercial, medical or research-orientated career. The degree is accredited by the Nutrition Society.
As well as providing you with a solid core of knowledge about nutrition, this programme offers you the opportunity to study a wide range of related subjects. We also provide you with the opportunity to undertake a professional training year on one of our excellent range of placements, to develop your skills, experience and employability.
BSc (Hons) Nutrition/Dietetics (B401)
Our Nutrition/Dietetics programme teaches you to apply nutritional science to promote health and to treat medical conditions. You will then be able to provide practical advice to enable people to make dietary change.
At Level 1 you will cover core sciences and be introduced to food skills and nutrition. After this grounding in the key knowledge and skills, you will undertake a four-week placement before the start of Level 2.
Level 2 continues to develop the subjects studied in your first year with the introduction of dietetics and psychology.
Level P is spent on two 12-week placements and a period of six weeks at the University in February/March where you will take part in problem-solving exercises. You will also have the opportunity to share and consolidate your placement learning with other students, benefiting from their experiences.
During Level 3 you will take modules from a range of options which reflect our key areas of strength, allowing you to benefit from our research expertise. You will also undertake an extended research project, exploring in more depth an area of interest to you.
This programme is funded by the National Health Service (NHS), making UK students eligible for a means tested bursary. Tuition fees are paid by the NHS for both UK and EU students. Although the placement is not salaried, UK students may apply to the NHS for financial assistance with travel and accommodation costs.
BSc (Hons) Nutrition (B400)
Our Nutrition programme is extremely relevant to the needs of today’s professionals. It offers a wide range of optional modules and is structured to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to excel in your chosen field.
Level 1 includes modules in Nutrition and Food Science, as well as a range of other sciences.
During Level 2, core Nutrition modules are combined with Physiology, Pathology and Medicine, and Food Science to ensure an appropriate background knowledge. This leaves an opportunity to choose modules from a wide range of options to make up the 120 credits required.
At Level 3 you will undertake a final-year dissertation on a subject of your choice. Taught modules allow a more in-depth understanding of all aspects of human nutrition.
Other degrees you may be interested in:
Programme
Programme Overview
Programme Structure
Nutrition/Dietetics
Level 1
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Applied Nutrition
- Food Science and Nutrition
Level 2
- Dietetics
- Applied Dietetics
- Applied Nutrition
- Nutritional Needs of Population Groups
- Key Skills for Nutrition and Dietetics
- Food Science
- Biomedical Science
- Health and Behaviour
Level P
- Twelve-week clinical placement
- Six weeks of academic study
- Twelve-week clinical placement
Level 3
- Practical Nutrition
- Regulation and Disorders of Energy and Lipid Metabolism
- Epidemiology and Nutrition Research Methods
- Public Health Nutrition
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
- Optional modules from a wide selection
- Dissertation (equivalent to two modules)
Nutrition
Level 1
Modules include:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Applied Nutrition
- Microbiology: Microbes and Man
- Optional language modules
Level 2
Modules include:
- Health and Behaviour
- Nutritional Needs of Population Groups
- Food Microbiology
- Food Science
- Food Analysis and Quality Control
Level P
- Optional professional training year
Level 3
Modules include:
- Practical Nutrition
- Regulation and Disorders of Energy and Lipid Metabolism
- Epidemiology and Nutrition Research Methods
- Public Health Nutrition
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
- Optional modules from a wide selection
- Dissertation (equivalent to two modules)
Professional Training
As a student on our Nutrition/Dietetics programme you will undertake three placements. They are all within the NHS and could be in either an acute hospital or a community setting. During a four-week placement at the end of Level 1 you will find out more about the working environment experienced by a dietitian, the way they work and the other health professionals they work with. You will also undertake two twelve-week placements during Level P.
The first will give you the chance to apply the theoretical knowledge gained through your studies. The second placement is designed to consolidate your knowledge, skills and attitudes, as well as further developing them with more complex patients and situations. The placements are fully integrated with the academic part of your programme, allowing you to gain practical experience that enhances your learning. During your placements, trained supervisors will help you to develop and learn. You will normally be placed with one of our placement provider partners throughout the South East.
Our Nutrition placements are usually paid and may be in the food industry, government research establishments or the NHS. Our professional training tutor will help organise your choice of placement and you will be visited by academic staff, normally three times, during your placement. Companies and institutes offering placements include Nestle and Nutricia. Students who do not wish to take a professional training year follow the three-year programme.
Why Surrey?
Key reasons to study Nutrition and Dietetics 2012 at Surrey
- State-of-the-art facilities including the recently refurbished Clinical Investigations Unit (CIU) used for conducting research studies in humans, and also for running some practicals and student projects in the final year
- Excellent employment record within the NHS as dietitians and within the commercial, charity and public sector as nutritionists
- Taught by nutritionists and dietitians at the forefront of their fields
- Well-established and renowned programmes
- A national and international leader in research
- Strong student support systems
- An excellent professional training year scheme
Careers
Top for Jobs
Recent graduates from Nutrition/Dietetics have entered employment in roles such as:
NHS - Band 5 Dietitian
NHS - Health Promotion Officer
Recent graduates from Nutrition have entered employment in roles such as:
Food Standards Agency - Development Technologist
NHS - Public Health Information Officer
Career Opportunities
Most of our Nutrition/Dietetics graduates start their career working for the NHS either in clinical dietetics or in health promotion. There are also attractive opportunities in the food industry, such as working for major food and supermarket companies, in research, and in education and the media.
Our Nutrition graduates have attractive career prospects in the food industry, health service, research, and in education and the media. A considerable number return to their professional placement company/organisation.
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Teaching
On average you will have 24 hours of contact time each week. A variety of teaching methods is used including lectures, tutorials and practicals. You will also be expected to undertake private study (such as coursework and additional reading). Your studies will be enlivened by problem-based learning activities and a range of supporting e-learning materials.
Assessment
Each module is assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment is by a combination of examination and/or coursework which may include individual projects and group work.