MSc Dietetics (Pre-Registration)

at Queen Margaret University

Modules
 

• Introduction to Dietetic Practice (Placement A) (20 credits) (Includes 2 weeks campus based and 2 weeks practice-based learning): This module will introduce and begin to develop students’ knowledge and awareness of the Dietitians role within health and social care settings.
• Essentials of the Dietetic Management (20 credits): This module will provide students with a broad and integrated knowledge and understanding of the dietetic management of disease and to further develop the relevant professional skills and techniques required to effectively and sustainably manage individuals, groups and populations within the context of inter-professional working
• Nutrition Through the Life Course (20 credits): This module will allow students to apply and critically evaluate the scientific principles and nutritional needs of individuals throughout the life course and in different sub-groups of the population in the community.
• Disease Aetiology and Management (20 credits): This module will promote an integrated knowledge of the common disorders and treatments of the gastrointestinal tract, of renal and cardio-respiratory systems and an understanding of the metabolism and endocrinology of key metabolic disorders.
• Dietetic Management of Long-Term Conditions (20 credits): This module will provide students with a critical and integrated knowledge and understanding of the dietetic management of long term conditions children, young people and adults. It will also further develop the relevant professional skills and techniques required to effectively and sustainably manage those living with long term conditions within a multi-professional health and social care landscape.
• Epidemiology in Public Health (20 credits): Students will gain a critical and applied understanding of how epidemiological research is used in the field of public health and will be able to analyse and interpret a real-life public health dataset and make recommendations for public health practice/health promotion based on findings.
• Developing Dietetic Practice (Placement B) (60 credits) (Includes 12 weeks practice-based learning): This module will enable students to apply their broad and integrated theoretical knowledge and further develop the range of skills needed to work as a Dietitian with a range of client groups and within a range of care settings.
• Innovative and Emerging Practice (40 credits): This module will provide students with an applied and critical knowledge and understanding of innovative and emerging dietetic practice.
• Consolidating Dietetic Practice (Placement C) (60 credits) (Includes 12 weeks practice-based learning): This module will enable students to become competent in translating theory into practice to demonstrate competency in the range of skills required to work as a graduate Dietitian.
• Applying Skills of Critical Enquiry (40 credits): The module aims to enable learners to develop and apply the skills of research and enquiry to produce a small scale study which demands a professional approach, academic rigour, independence and self-direction.

• A good honours degree (normally an upper second class or above) that includes significant emphasis on human physiology and biochemistry.
• An application should illustrate what has been done by the applicant to research, and understand more about the role of a dietitian. In particular, evidence of understanding the skills, attributes and values required to work as a dietitian should be evident in the application.
• Where an applicant has an undergraduate degree in a related subject but does not have the required biological science content they can be considered for entry to the course if they can demonstrate the appropriate skill development in their undergraduate degree (eg nursing or psychology degree) and they complete the biological science content in Years One and Two of the undergraduate Master of Dietetics (pre-registration) course as an associate student (consisting of two modules in semester 1 and one module in semester 2). This would then permit entry into the MSc Dietetics (pre-registration) course the following year.
• We appreciate that it can be difficult to get shadowing experience, so relevant experience that demonstrates transferable skills to those required by dietitians would be beneficial.
• International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 7.0 and no individual component score below 6.5.
• Criminal Records Check: A satisfactory criminal records check will be required.

Scotland/UK/ROI    
Year 1: £9,680 Year 2: £9,680 + £1200 (dissertation fee)**

International
Year 1 £17,900, Year 2 £17,900 + £3,600 (dissertation fee)**

Career prospects on completion of the course are varied. Most graduates normally choose to work within the NHS as dietitians. Others will work in health education, health promotion, general practice, private healthcare and government advisory posts. Opportunities also exist in the food and pharmaceutical industries in, for example: food labelling, nutrient profiling, product and recipe development, product evaluation and special diet foods. Some graduates may apply for the opportunity to study for a higher degree (ProfDoc or PhD).