Human Nutrition & Dietetics - BSc (Hons) Degree

This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year full-time degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

1. Students who aspire to enrol onto the first year of a science-based honours degree programme within the Cardiff School of Health Sciences, who have not achieved the standard entry requirements to enter at year one of the chosen degree.
2. Students who have not studied subjects that provide the necessary background within the scientific disciplines required to enter at year one of the chosen degree.

Find out more about the foundation year​.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation. Please refer to Key Course Information at the bottom of this page.

In addition, you will need to pass the foundation year with an overall mark of 70% at the first attempt, with a minimum of 65% from the Term 2 Biological Sciences (20 credits) and Chemical Sciences (20 credits) modules. See entry requirements for further detail.

The BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics requires completing and passing three clinical placements.

Placement 1 for six weeks during year 2 of the programme (May - June).
Placement 2 for 8 weeks at the start of year 3 of the programme (September - October)
Placement 3 for 14 weeks during year 3 (Jan - April).

All placements require students to show competencies in specific dietetics skills. Placement 2 and 3 have level 6 assessed elements that contribute to the final degree classification.  Placement 2 has 20 academic credits and placement 3 has 40 academic credits incorporated.

All modules are core with no options

Year One (Level 4):

• Professional and Interprofessional Development 1*
• Anatomy and Physiology*
• Communication for Dietitian
• Human Biochemistry and Physiology
• Nutrition (Macro and Micronutrients)
• Key Dietetics Skills
  
  

Year Two (Level 5):​

• Professional and Interprofessional Development 2*
• Principles of Dietetics
• Health Psychology and Wellbeing
• Population and Lifecycle Nutrition
• Specialist Dietetics
• Research Methods*
• Placement 1: Foundations of Dietetic Practice
  
  

Years Three (Level 6):

• Project*
• Contemporary Nutrition in Dietetic Clinical Practice 
• Placement 2: Developing Dietetic Practice
• Placement 3: Competence in Dietetic Practice
• Placement 3: Demonstrating Competence in Dietetic Practice for HCPC Registration

*modules available through the medium of Welsh

The BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics employs a range of innovative and engaging, student centred teaching methods throughout the programme. We begin to build key skills in dietetics from the first year with an emphasis on food, nutrition, nutritional assessment, communication and reflective skills.

Exploring the professional NHS setting throughout studies ensures learners to develop a sound understanding of the role and a clear sense of professional identity. Clinical case studies, laboratory and kitchen practicals to teach dietetics therapy.

In addition we simulate clinical simulations. consultations and group teaching sessions in order to build communication skills. Students participate in inter-professional learning opportunities and engage with a range of clinical and allied health professional students in stimulating simulation facilities, clinical placements and shared lectures. 

Students are supported to undertake in depth research into a chosen dietetic related topic and to complete their dissertation.

The programme is designed to build on acrued experience and learning throughout studies with a clear emphasis on professional practice.

All students will undertake modules with practical elements that are delivered in our kitchens and food production areas. In compliance with Food Manufacturing Regulations, no jewellery including exposed piercings are permitted in these areas. All jewellery including exposed piercings (but with the exception of a single, plain wedding ring, wedding wristband or medical alert jewellery) must be removed before entering these spaces.

Each module is assessed by assignment and/or examination. There is more of an emphasis on assignments as the course progresses with fewer examinations. Practical assessment includes Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and assessed group teaching. All modules in year two and three are externally assessed. All year two and three modules contribute to the final degree classification including the credit bearing assessment completed in placements 2 and 3.

Dietitians normally begin their career in the National Health Service where they progress to the main clinical grades. The opportunity exists for specialisation in various aspects of dietetics by means of post-registration education. In addition there are opportunities for dietitians to be involved in health education/promotion, education, research and journalism.

Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Health Boards in Wales are currently working together to provide Experience Days for prospective students who frequently enquire about work experience days. As this is a requirement in applying for the BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics and MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics programmes, Experience Days have been set up to accommodate this.

You will not need to attend an Experience Day in Wales if you have already received Dietetic experience elsewhere as the same information will be covered. The Health Boards aim to provide two/three every year.

Dietetics Experience Days occur throughout the year, to register your interest in attending, and see upcoming events, please click here​.

Please only book a place if you definitely intend to attend. If you book a place but cannot attend please let us know as soon as possible so that we can give your place to someone else. A list of those who do not attend without cancelling their place will be provided to the Programme Director to be considered in the allocation of places on the programme.

Please note, these are not University open days. Details on open days run by the University which cover course and university information can be found on our Open Day pages.

All healthcare students, including those who have not subscribed to NHS Wales Bursary which provides financial support for tuition fees and for some aspects of maintenance in return for their commitment to work in Wales after graduation, are eligible for support from NHS Wales in the form of reimbursement of clinical placement travel and subsistence expenses which may be claimed through the Cardiff Metropolitan University Student Services Placements Office. For further information on reclaiming placement expenses please contact cpt@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Please contact financeadvice@cardiffmet.ac.uk if you have any queries about funding, including student finance and NHS bursary. For further information about the NHS Bursary Scheme, please click here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Leader: Email: ugdietetics@cardiffmet.ac.uk Tel: 029 2041 6883